Compare off-road motorbike insurance

If you’re just looking for insurance that makes your bike legal on public roads, you can use standard motorbike insurance. But if you’re looking for any kind of protection for your bike on the track, standard insurance probably won’t do the job. It will usually only cover you for ordinary road use.

If you ride a quad bike on public roads you’ll need a minimum of third-party insurance. Also, the bike must be registered with the DVLA, taxed and have a valid MOT certificate.

If your quad bike is only used for agricultural or horticultural use, you may be exempt from paying road tax. But it must be registered as a light agricultural vehicle and you’ll still need insurance if it’s ridden on public roads.

If you only use your quad bike off-road on private land, you won’t need insurance. However, it must be exclusively ridden on private property. It must not be taken onto byways, footpaths or bridleways without adequate insurance, as these count as public roads.

Quad bikes are typically excluded from standard motorbike or car insurance policies. You may need to look for specialist quad bike insurance if you want to ride it on public roads.

If you want your off-road bike to be insured while it does what it’s made for, you need specialist off-road motorbike insurance. You can either use a specialist insurance provider, or contact a standard insurance provider to see if they can offer you a tailored policy. 

• look for ‘limited mileage cover’ – off-road bikes don’t tend to rack up as many miles as their regular road-cruising cousins. Look around for insurance that takes your mileage into consideration 
• invest in some security – storing your bike in a secure garage or drive and fitting an immobiliser, alarm or lock could knock a few pounds off your premium. They can also deter thieves, helping to protect your no-claims bonus 
• upgrade your riding – being an experienced rider can mean more favourable premiums with some providers. While you can’t buy experience, you can pay for accredited training courses which could help lower your premium. Find out more about reducing motorbike insurance by taking training courses. 

At Compare the Market, we help you find motorbike insurance that’s right for you, at a price you can afford. Just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll bring you back a range of great-value quotes to choose from. Check the policy details to see what off-road options are covered.