Take advantage of our bike insurance guides
Are you struggling to find a cheap motorbike insurance policy? Then read our informative motorcycle insurance guide which gives details on how you can find a low cost bike insurance deal which meets your own personal requirements. Our guides show you how to select the correct policy and could help you get a cheaper motorcycle insurance deal.
Motorbike Insurance Guide
Whether you chose to invest in a classic Triumph, enjoy a cruise through the city on a nifty Scooter or drive your Ducati on the open road you need to make sure your bike insurance covers you for every eventuality.
The recent hike in fuel costs coupled with an increase in premiums for motorbike insurance has led to higher expenses in running your vehicle. Premiums have increased as insurers endeavor to recover their costs of uninsured drivers, and it seems advisable to research the motorcycle insurance market for quotes to ensure you get the best value deal on your policy. At Money Super market.com, we provide the specialist tools and aim to help you find the best bike insurance quotes without wasting time.
With the introduction of the new CIE legislation you will be liable for a fine if you do not insure your bike with the minimum of a third party insurance cover unless you have made a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) which declares your vehicle as off-road. Exceptions to this new law are if the vehicle has been recorded as sold, stolen and not recovered, scrapped or in between registered owners.
How to get the best bike insurance deal
To get the best motorcycle insurance deal, it is a good idea to plan ahead and find out what type as well as the level of cover you need before you compare the policies available on the market. There are three kinds of motorbike insurance policy type available in the UK which are fully comprehensive, third party and third party, fire and theft.
The level of bike insurance you chose will depend on the how much you are willing to pay. If you chose a motorcycle insurance that will fully protect you for any type of eventuality then it will inevitably cost you more than an insurance policy which offers the basic minimum cover.
Fully comprehensive insurance: Fully comprehensive motorbike insurance is the most expensive level of insurance cover since this cover provides protection for damage to the bike, property and yourself even if the liability for damage lies with you. It is worth noting that with this type of cover even though it offers a higher level of protection, it may not cover you for every eventuality which can include if your vehicle breakdowns.
Third party cover: Third party motorcycle insurance is the least expensive of the three levels of bike insurance and is the basic minimum cover allowed by UK law. Third party motorcycle insurance is available at a cheap cost which can be useful if you don’t have the cash to pay for a greater level of cover or if the motorbike which you insure is not worth a lot of money.
In comparison to fully comprehensive insurance, this policy will pay out for any damage to the victim who is involved in the accident. However, you will be liable for the costs of replacing or fixing your motorbike in the event of damage to your bike in an accident or theft of your vehicle.
As this level of cover is the cheapest bike insurance and only provides the absolute basic minimum of protection, it could be advisable to opt for a higher level of motorcycle insurance such as fully comprehensive or third party, fire and theft to minimize your risk.
Third party fire and theft: Third party, fire and theft bike insurance is the next policy level up from third party bike insurance and offers you protection if your motorbike is stolen or damaged in a fire. This type of insurance covers you in the event of an accident that was your responsibility. You will be covered for the damage you caused to another vehicle, their property, or if they are injured as a result and need to pay for medical treatment. For peace of mind when leaving your bike unattended, this level of cover will also protect you from theft.
With this level of motorbike insurance, it is worth noting that if your bike is stolen then the insurer will expect you to pay out the first amount of any claim you place. This is known as your excess and if the present value your bike is nearly the same amount as your excess then you may not need to pay for the extra cover. As with all levels of bike insurance you will be expected to pay out for the initial part of your claim.
When you are shopping around using the price comparison site to compare quotes, it is possible to improve your level of cover without it costing you too much. It is also important that you consider there are different types of motorbike insurances available on the market. Money Supermarket.com acknowledges that you may need an individual policy to suit your particular needs.
Specialist bike insurance cover
Our team at Money Supermarket.com offers specialist comparison pages so that our customers stand the best chance of finding a deal which is directly applicable to their situation. The kind of specialist bike insurance areas our channel covers includes:
Motorbike insurance for women
Women are statistically safer riding on two wheels than their male counterparts and less likely to be involved in an accident which results in minimal risk to the motorcycle insurance provider and hence cheap insurance premiums.
As a woman if you chose to take an advanced training qualification then this will allow you to save extra money on the total cost of your premiums. Before you surf our Money Supermarket.com price comparison site for cheap quotes and the best value cover, it is worth reading up about motorbike insurance for women on our dedicated page.
Motorbike insurance for young riders
You can chose to ride a moped at the age of 16 in the UK and as a young person this can provide a more affordable means of transport. Statistics show that as a younger rider, you are more likely to be involved in an accident which will result in a claim.
Motorbike insurance for young riders under-25s therefore tend to be higher than for older, experienced riders and it pays to compare specialist insurance companies and quotes where you could pick up a cheap deal to ensure your personal safety on the roads. To cut the costs of your premiums some insurance companies may reduce their premiums if you have taken an additional accredited rider’s training qualification.
What if I have points on my license?
If you have any previous motoring of fences or convictions then by using an insurer that specializes in motorbike insurance for convicted riders could slash the costs of your premiums in comparison to taking out a policy with a standard insurance company.
When applying for a bike insurance policy, providers will ask you to disclose any previous motoring convictions including any history of car offenses which you may have incurred. It could pay to shop around for quotes from insurers who specialist in this area to reduce your premiums and on a comparison site; you could save time and cut your costs.
Classic bike insurance
If you have chosen to invest in a classic Triumph or a Harley Davidson model then by using a classic bike insurance specialist could dramatically lower your premiums. If you have paid out a hefty sum for your classic two wheels then it could pay to adequately protect your investment. Specialist classic bike insurance companies tend to view classic motorbikes as less prone to theft due to the difficulty in selling them on. Classic owners tend to be viewed by specialist providers as light users who are more likely to use their bikes to exhibit at shows or socially as opposed to everyday use.
Spare parts may be more expensive for certain types of models and the higher premium price may reflect this accordingly. The criteria of what qualifies a bike to be classed as a classic may vary from company to company so it is worth bearing this in mind as you compare quotes.
Scooter insurance
As a Scooter owner, you may have chosen to invest in this model due to the savings on fuel costs, the use of a lighter engine, exemption from congestion charges and cheaper running costs. Many cheap deals from standard motorcycle insurance providers do not offer the specialist bike insurance that as a Scooter owner you may need to cover your specific requirements.
Premiums tend to be lower than standard motorbike insurance as Scooters cost less to fix, have cheaper spare parts to replace if a claim is placed. At Money supermarket.com, we have scoured the market in an attempt to offer you the best value scooter insurance deals on our comparison site.
Moped insurance
With a moped being the lightest model of road vehicle your premiums will be considerably lower than a standard motorbike due to cheaper repair costs, and a specialist moped insurance provider can cater to your individual policy needs.
Classed as a less powerful road vehicle, specialist providers can offer cheap deals for all levels of cover. Specialist moped insurance companies will take into account the type of moped you own, how the rider’s needs differ from those of a motorbike owner and whether you have a classic or modified model. At Money supermarket.com, we will aim to provide you with some of the most comprehensive and competitive moped insurance deals available on the market.
Additional cover
On all levels of insurance, there are a number of additional bike insurance add-ons and extras that you can pay for to include in your policy to ensure you are fully protected. You should be aware that some of these may be included by your chosen insurer at no extra cost, so it is worth re-checking your policy for any duplication. It is important to note that exclusions within your motorbike insurance can sometimes prevent you from placing an insurance claim.
If you chose to purchase bike insurance add-ons then you should be aware that these will increase the price of your premiums. Additional add-ons may include motorcycle breakdown cover with roadside assistance, personal accident to compensate you for loss of wages and medical fees, and legal expenses which can cover you against the cost of expenses incurred in the event of a road accident.
Once you have decided upon the level and coverage you require then you can use a comparison site to shop online and compare cheap quotes for the type of motorbike insurance you need.
Factors that affect the price you pay
Different key factors can affect your motorcycle insurance quotes and the cost of your premiums. Before deciding on which policy you should know what could affect the price of the bike insurance you chose to take out.
Bike insurance providers will take into account your age as this can present a risk if you are under 25 and your profession because if your occupation is as a sportsman then your premiums may be higher. Other factors include your gender as a woman rider presents a safer rider in comparison to a male counterpart and this can lower your premiums. Where you live can be factored into consideration by insurers as busy areas could increase the risk of an accident and present a higher risk to insurers. Some postcodes in the UK have higher premiums than other areas due to the increase in traffic or crime rates within the area.
If you have made a claim in the past five years or have unspent motor convictions then your insurance premiums will be higher. Bike insurance companies will consider the model and make of your bike when evaluating your application to determine your premiums. If your motorbike has a powerful engine then insurers consider it likely to be a higher risk of being involved in an accident as higher speeds can be achieved on the road. The higher the value of the bike then the more it could cost the motorcycle insurance company to replace or repair. Both these factors can increase your insurance premiums.
Other elements which bike insurance companies use to calculate your premium price are the frequency in which you ride your bike as an increased mileage can result in a higher risk in the event of an accident. The security of your bike is a consideration by insurers when calculating your premiums. Your insurer will also want you disclose named riders prior to assessing quotes for your cover.
Tips to keep costs down
In order to get cheap quotes from your bike insurance provider there are a number of essential tips which Money supermarket.com offers to help you secure the best value deal. You can reduce the cost of your insurance premiums by shopping around on our comparison site to compare the best quotes for the type of cover you want.
Other ways to lower your premiums from your bike insurance company are to consider reducing the yearly mileage on your bike by using it only on social occasions rather than commuting. If you are considering purchasing a motorbike then it could pay to invest in a cheaper model with a lower spec which will reduce the cost of your cover as it will be cheap for the insurer to repair or replace.
To reduce your premiums further it is advisable to invest in anti-theft measures such as security locks to apply to your motorbike. Immobilisers and bike locks purchased from accredited companies or by securing your motorcycle in a locked garage you will stand a much better chance of finding cheap bike insurance quotes.
It is worth bearing in mind if you decide to add a named driver as this can increase your premiums if the driver is younger, male or a learner rider. By investing in an additional, accredited training course could cut the cost of your motorcycle insurance premiums. If you opt for paying for a higher voluntary excess this could also lower the cost of your cover as would choosing to pay yearly installments as opposed to monthly payments.
In the event of an accident where your repairs or parts are lower than your excess then it makes sense for you to pay rather than file a claim and push up the cost of premiums.
It pays for you to remain alert to the bike insurance provider’s small print when you compare quotes. At Money supermarket.com, we aim to help to make you an easy rider by providing you with a wide range of insurers that can offer you competitive quotes and the best-value comparison deals on the market today.
For more ideas on how to keep costs down, take advantage of our bike insurance money saving tips page.
Making a claim
If you file a claim with your bike insurance provider it should be straight forward but there are several key points you should consider. You need to inform the police immediately if you consider that your claim could be a criminal matter such as if your bike was involved in an accident where a party was injured or if your bike was vandalized or stolen and make a written note of the crime reference number. If you can then you should take photographs of the event and take notes on your location to support your claim when you file it with your insurer.
Make certain that you obtain written proof if possible of what has happened and note down contact and insurance details of all parties involved in the event of an accident or any witnesses. You should then contact your motorbike insurance company to report this matter and enquirer whether they require further information or have additional advice on what you have to do.
Your claim report details should remain consistent with your bike insurance company and the police. You must keep records of the phone calls, the person you are speaking with and any other details during the progression of your claim.
Do not take your motorcycle to get repaired at the garage of your choice as it is highly unlikely you will be able to claim any costs back as your insurer will usually have a particular garage in mind within your area that handles their claims. You should wait until the bike insurance company gives you authorization to carry out repairs and check your policy to see if you could be entitled to a courtesy motorbike.
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