Whether you ride a powerful motorbike or a small commuter scooter, insurance is a legal requirement and the right cover protects you, your bike and others. This guide explains motorbike and scooter insurance in plain English: the levels of cover, what affects the price, and the extras worth knowing about.
What motorbike insurance is
Motorbike and scooter insurance covers your machine against accidents, theft and damage, and covers your liability to others, and like any vehicle on the road it must be insured by law. It works on the same principles as car insurance, with the same three levels of cover, but priced and tailored to the particular risks of riding. The cover you need depends on the bike's value, how you use it, and your own circumstances as a rider.
The cover levels
Motorbike insurance comes in the familiar three levels. Third party only is the legal minimum, covering injury or damage you cause to others but not your own bike. Third party, fire and theft adds cover for the bike being stolen or catching fire, which matters as bikes are relatively easy to steal. Comprehensive covers all of that plus damage to your own bike, as our guide to the types of cover explains.
What affects the price
Several factors shape your premium: the bike's engine size and value, your age and riding experience, where the bike is kept, your mileage and claims history, and the cover level. Larger, more powerful bikes generally cost more to insure, as do younger or newer riders. A smaller scooter for commuting is usually much cheaper to insure than a large, powerful motorbike, so the machine you choose has a big effect on the price.
Engine size and bike type
The size and type of bike matter a great deal. A small-engined scooter or moped sits in a low-risk bracket and is cheap to insure, while a high-performance sports bike is far more expensive, reflecting both its value and the higher risk. If keeping costs down matters, particularly for a younger or newer rider, choosing a smaller, less powerful machine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the premium.
Security and where you keep it
Because motorbikes are relatively easy to steal, security has a real effect on your premium. Keeping the bike in a locked garage, and fitting approved locks, chains, immobilisers or trackers, can reduce the price and the risk of theft. Insurers may require certain security for more valuable bikes. Investing in good security protects your bike and can lower your cost, so it is worth doing for both reasons.
Riding gear and helmet cover
Some motorbike policies can cover your riding gear, such as your helmet, leathers and protective clothing, if it is damaged in an accident or stolen with the bike. This is often an optional extra rather than standard, and the limits vary. Given how expensive good protective gear is, it can be worth considering. Check whether a policy includes it and at what level, especially if you have invested in quality kit.
No claims discount and saving money
As with cars, you build a no claims discount for each year without a claim, which reduces your premium over time, as our guide to the no claims discount explains. Other savings include choosing a smaller bike, improving security, setting a sensible excess, limiting mileage and comparing quotes. For newer riders, completing further training beyond the basic test can sometimes help, as well as making you safer.
Why riders pay what they pay
Insurers price motorbike cover on risk, and riders are more exposed than car drivers in an accident, which feeds into premiums alongside the bike's value and power. Your age, experience and history all count, as does where you live and keep the bike. Understanding that the premium reflects these risk factors helps explain why a powerful bike, or a newer rider, costs more, and why the choices below can bring the price down.
Classic and modified bikes
If you own a classic motorbike or have modified your machine, standard cover may not fit. Modifications must be declared, as they affect the risk and value, and failing to do so can invalidate your policy. Classic bikes can often be insured on specialist policies built around limited mileage and careful ownership, sometimes with an agreed value. As with cars, specialist insurers usually understand modified and classic bikes best.
Multi-bike policies
If you own more than one motorbike, a multi-bike policy can cover several machines under one arrangement, often with a discount and the convenience of a single renewal. For enthusiasts with a collection, this can be both cheaper and simpler than insuring each bike separately. As with multi-car cover, it is worth comparing a multi-bike quote against separate policies to check it genuinely saves money for your particular bikes.
Laying the bike up
Many riders use their bikes seasonally and lay them up over winter. If you take a bike off the road, you can declare it off-road, but remember it must still be insured to be ridden the moment it returns to the road. Some policies suit seasonal use, and keeping the bike insured and securely stored even when laid up protects it against theft and damage during the months it is not ridden.
Security makes a real difference
Because bikes are a frequent target for thieves, the security you use has a marked effect on both your premium and your risk. Approved locks, chains, ground anchors, immobilisers and trackers all help, and a locked garage is better than the street. Insurers may require specified security for valuable bikes. Investing in good security is one of the most effective steps a rider can take to cut the cost and protect the machine.
The takeaway for riders
Motorbike and scooter insurance rewards sensible choices: a smaller, less powerful machine, good security, a clean record and a growing no claims discount all bring the price down, while honest declarations of any modifications keep your cover valid. Match the level of cover to the bike's value, consider gear cover for expensive kit, and compare quotes, including specialist insurers for classic or modified bikes, to find cover that fits both you and your machine.
Ridden sensibly and insured properly, a bike can be both a joy and an affordable one, provided the cover keeps pace with the machine and how you use it.
In short
Motorbike and scooter insurance is a legal requirement and works like car insurance, at third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive levels. The price depends mainly on the bike's engine size and value, your experience, and security. Smaller, less powerful machines are far cheaper to insure, and good security can reduce both the premium and the risk of theft. Gear cover and a no claims discount are worth knowing about.
Where to get help and next steps
Read our guides to the types of cover, the no claims discount, and breakdown cover, which can cover motorcycles. This is general information, not financial advice.