Specialist Insurance UK 2026 — Phone, Gadget, Motorbike, Wedding and MoreMotorbike Insurance UK — How to Get Cheaper Motorcycle Cover
Complete motorbike insurance guide. Understand cover types, ways to reduce premiums, multi-bike options, and what affects your motorcycle insurance cost.
Whether you’re a new rider on a 125cc or an experienced motorcyclist with a superbike, getting the right insurance at the right price matters. Here’s how.
Types of Motorbike Insurance
Cover Levels
| Cover Type | What’s Covered | What’s Not |
|---|
| Third Party (TP) | Damage to others, their property | Your bike, your injuries |
| Third Party Fire & Theft (TPFT) | Above plus fire/theft of your bike | Accidental damage to your bike |
| Comprehensive | All of the above plus damage to your bike | Wear and tear, mechanical |
Which to Choose?
| Situation | Recommended Cover |
|---|
| Expensive bike (£5,000+) | Comprehensive |
| Moderate value (£2,000-5,000) | Comprehensive or TPFT |
| Cheap/older bike (under £2,000) | TPFT or Third Party |
| Finance on bike | Comprehensive (usually required) |
Note: Unlike cars, Third Party isn’t always cheaper than Comprehensive for bikes. Always compare.
What Affects Your Premium
Major Factors
| Factor | High Premium | Low Premium |
|---|
| Bike type | Sports bikes, superbikes | Commuters, tourers, lower cc |
| Engine size | 600cc+ sports | 125cc-300cc |
| Age | Under 25 | 25-65 |
| Experience | CBT only, new rider | Full licence, years of riding |
| Location | Urban, high theft areas | Rural, low crime |
| Storage | Street | Locked garage |
| Mileage | High (10,000+) | Low (3,000-5,000) |
| Claims history | Recent claims | Clean record |
| Licence points | Points on licence | Clean licence |
Bike Categories and Typical Premiums
| Bike Type | Example | Typical Premium (30-year-old) |
|---|
| 125cc commuter | Honda CB125F | £200-400 |
| Mid-range commuter | Yamaha MT-07 | £300-500 |
| Sports 600cc | Yamaha R6 | £500-1,200 |
| Adventure bike | BMW R1250GS | £400-700 |
| Naked/street | Triumph Street Triple | £350-600 |
| Superbike | Ducati Panigale | £1,000-3,000+ |
| Classic | Triumph Bonneville | £250-450 |
Premiums are illustrative — yours will vary by all factors above.
Ways to Reduce Your Premium
1. Security
| Security Measure | Potential Saving |
|---|
| Sold Secure approved lock | 5-15% |
| Datatag/tracking system | 5-15% |
| Alarmed disc lock | 5-10% |
| Ground anchor (for home) | 5-10% |
| Combined security | 15-25% |
Many insurers require minimum security for expensive bikes.
2. Storage
| Storage Location | Impact |
|---|
| Locked garage | Lowest premiums |
| Secure compound | Low |
| Driveway (locked) | Medium |
| Street | Highest premiums |
3. Restrict Your Use
| Use Type | Impact |
|---|
| Social, domestic, pleasure | Lowest |
| Commuting (some) | Slightly higher |
| Business use | Highest |
4. Limit Annual Mileage
| Annual Mileage | Premium Impact |
|---|
| Under 3,000 | Lowest |
| 3,000-5,000 | Low |
| 5,000-8,000 | Medium |
| 8,000+ | Higher |
5. Increase Voluntary Excess
| Voluntary Excess | Typical Saving |
|---|
| £100 | Baseline |
| £250 | 5-10% |
| £500 | 10-15% |
| £1,000 | 15-20% |
6. Advanced Riding Qualifications
| Qualification | Potential Discount |
|---|
| IAM RoadSmart | Up to 15% |
| RoSPA Advanced | Up to 15% |
| Enhanced Rider Scheme | Some discounts |
| BikeSafe | May help |
7. Multi-Bike Policies
If you own more than one bike, insuring them together saves money:
| Setup | Benefit |
|---|
| 2 bikes | 10-20% discount vs separate |
| 3+ bikes | Further discounts |
| Combined mileage | Often allowed |
Insurance for New Riders
CBT (Compulsory Basic Training)
| What You Can Ride | Restrictions |
|---|
| Up to 125cc | L plates required |
| Up to 11kW power | No motorways |
| No passengers |
| CBT valid 2 years |
CBT Insurance Costs
| Age | Typical 125cc Premium |
|---|
| 17 | £800-1,500 |
| 18-20 | £600-1,000 |
| 21-24 | £400-700 |
| 25+ | £300-500 |
After Full Test (A1, A2, A Licence)
| Licence | What You Can Ride | Insurance Impact |
|---|
| A1 | Up to 125cc, 11kW | Often cheaper than CBT |
| A2 | Up to 35kW | Moderate premiums |
| Full A (direct access 24+) | Any bike | Varies by bike |
| Full A (progressive) | Any bike after 2 years A2 | 2 years experience helps |
Specialist Insurance Types
Laid-Up/SORN Cover
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Cover while not in use | Fire, theft only |
| Lower cost | No road use element |
| When needed | Winter storage, off-road periods |
| Typical cost | £50-150/year |
Track Day Insurance
| Standard Policy | Track Day Policy |
|---|
| Usually excludes track | Specifically covers track use |
| Claim would be rejected | Claims honoured |
| N/A | Single day or season options |
Classic Motorcycle Insurance
| Feature | Classic Cover |
|---|
| Age qualification | Usually 15-25+ years |
| Agreed value | Insured for agreed amount |
| Limited mileage | Often 3,000-5,000 miles |
| Club discounts | Available through clubs |
Multi-Bike Policies
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Multiple bikes on one policy | Discount per bike |
| Different types covered | Road, track, classic |
| Combined mileage | Usually allowed |
| One renewal date | Convenient admin |
Pillion and Named Rider Cover
Pillion Passengers
| Cover Type | Details |
|---|
| Standard policies | Usually include pillion cover |
| Passenger injuries | Covered under Third Party |
| Check policy wording | Confirm before carrying passengers |
Named Riders
| Scenario | Options |
|---|
| Partner rides occasionally | Add as named rider |
| Friend borrows bike | May need short-term add |
| Cost impact | Named rider usually increases premium |
Making a Claim
Theft Claims
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Report to police (get crime reference) |
| 2 | Notify insurer immediately |
| 3 | Provide proof of ownership |
| 4 | Tracker data if equipped |
| 5 | Await investigation |
Accident Claims
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Exchange details with other party |
| 2 | Take photos of scene/damage |
| 3 | Get witness details |
| 4 | Report to insurer |
| 5 | Don’t admit fault |
Write-Off Categories
| Category | Meaning |
|---|
| A | Scrap only — can never return to road |
| B | Can be broken for parts, frame destroyed |
| S | Structural damage, repairable (formerly Cat C) |
| N | Non-structural damage, repairable (formerly Cat D) |
Comparison Sites for Bikes
| Site | Notes |
|---|
| Compare the Market | Major bike panel |
| Confused.com | Wide range |
| GoCompare | Good coverage |
| MCN Compare | Specialist bike focus |
| The Bike Insurer | Specialist |
Direct-Only Insurers to Check
| Insurer | Notes |
|---|
| Bennetts | Major bike specialist |
| Carole Nash | Specialist with club ties |
| Devitt | Long-established |
| Bikesure | Dedicated bike insurer |
Sample Scenarios
New Rider (17, 125cc)
| Factor | Status | Premium Impact |
|---|
| Age | 17 | Expensive |
| Bike | Honda CB125F | Cheap to insure |
| Experience | CBT only | Higher risk |
| Storage | Street | Poor |
| Likely premium | | £1,000-1,500 |
To reduce: Garage storage, Sold Secure lock, accurate low mileage.
Experienced Rider (35, MT-07)
| Factor | Status | Premium Impact |
|---|
| Age | 35 | Good |
| Bike | Yamaha MT-07 | Mid-range |
| Experience | 10 years, clean licence | Excellent |
| Storage | Garage with ground anchor | Excellent |
| Likely premium | | £200-350 |
Sports Bike (28, R6)
| Factor | Status | Premium Impact |
|---|
| Age | 28 | OK |
| Bike | Yamaha R6 | High risk category |
| Experience | 5 years | Moderate |
| Storage | Driveway | Medium |
| Likely premium | | £600-1,000 |
To reduce: Track-only second bike, advanced qualification, improved security.
Key Checklist Before Buying
| Item | ✓ |
|---|
| Compare multiple quotes | ☐ |
| Check security requirements | ☐ |
| Confirm correct licence type | ☐ |
| Accurate mileage estimate | ☐ |
| Correct storage location | ☐ |
| Declare modifications | ☐ |
| Check pillion cover included | ☐ |
| Understand excess amounts | ☐ |
| Check track day position | ☐ |
| Review breakdown options | ☐ |