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Compare UK motorbike insurance

Motorbike insurance is an essential purchase for any motorcyclist. It can provide financial protection in the event of an accident, theft or damage to your bike, with varying levels of cover to choose from. Ready to find the best motorbike insurance in the UK? Our chart of featured providers could be a great place to start. Compare motorbike insurance today to get the policy that’s right for you.

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Featured motorbike insurance providers

Last updated: 02/12/2024

  • Swinton

    Swinton understand how important your bike is to you, and how much you’ll want to protect it.

    Why consider Swinton for your Bike Insurance?
    Their dedicated team compare quotes from a panel of motorbike insurers. They’ll show you the price they get back for a range of makes and models.
    • They'll compare policies from a panel of specially selected UK insurers
    • EU cover included as standard - up to 90 days per year and 30 days per trip
    • Cover up to four motorbikes on one Multi-bike Insurance policy

  • The Bike Insurer
    • 95% of reviewers would recommend The Bike Insurer
    • Prices from over 35 providers when you quote online
    • 51% of customers paid £222.94 or less for their motorbike insurance between 1 January 2023 and 31 March 2023.

     

  • Carole Nash

    Why consider Carole Nash for Bike Insurance?
    Carole Nash have been providing bike policies to riders for decades. Since 1985, they’ve been sourcing motorbike insurance quotes using a panel of UK motorcycle insurers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re riding a classic motorcycle, a modern superbike, a custom-built model, a bike for touring or an inner-city scooter, they’re able to arrange cover for almost all types of motorbike.

  • Mackenzie Hodgson

    Inspired by award-winning racers, Mackenzie Hodgson are insurance brokers who live and breathe motorbikes.

    Mackenzie Hodgson strive to be the kind of business that Niall & Neil want to work with. It’s a competitive industry, and Mackenzie Hodgson are here to make their mark. They bring the same drive and determination to the world of motorcycle insurance that Niall & Neil did to their racing careers, which means a constant drive for perfection and desire to be the best at what they do.

Note

Links to third parties on this page are paid for by the third party. You can find out more about the individual products by visiting their site. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will receive a small payment either if you clicks the links or if you use their services after you click through to their site. All information is subject to change without notice. Please check all terms before making any decisions.

Disclaimer

The list of motorcycle insurance providers on this page is a selection of services available and gives you an idea of the kind of options available. You can find out more about the individual products by visiting any of the providers listed. All information is subject to change without notice. Please check all terms before making any decisions. This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

Do you need motorbike insurance?

Yes. Motorbike insurance, much like car insurance, is a legal requirement if you want to ride on UK roads. If you’re caught riding while uninsured you could get six penalty points on your licence as well as a £300 fine, and if it went to court, the fine can be unlimited and you could be disqualified from riding altogether.

You also need to consider the fact that you’d be liable for any costs should you be involved in an accident, and if you were able to get insurance in the future, the premiums would likely be far higher. The police could even seize and destroy your bike, so however you look at it, you really do need the right motorbike insurance.

The only exception to this is if you own a motorcycle but don’t plan to ride it, perhaps if you haven’t started learning yet or have had your licence suspended. In this case, you’ll need to declare your bike off-road via the SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) process.  

Levels of motorbike insurance

There are three main kinds of cover to consider: 

  • Third-party, which covers any injury or damage caused to other people or their property as a result of your actions. It’s the bare minimum that you’re required to have by law and offers the most basic kind of cover.
  • Third-party, fire and theft. As above, plus it’ll cover the cost of repairing or replacing the bike following theft or damage caused by fire. However, if you’re deemed as being responsible for an accident, your bike won’t be covered.
  • Fully comprehensive. This includes cover for all of the above, as well as for yourself and your bike should you be injured or the bike damaged following an accident. You’ll be covered even if you cause the accident or if no-one was at fault.

From there you can opt to include various policy extras for even more protection, such as cover for your helmets and leathers, lost keys, breakdown cover, legal protection, personal accident, personal liability, pillion cover and cover for riding abroad, and even cover if you use the wrong kind of fuel. However, as with all types of insurance, different motorbike insurance companies will always offer different things, so make sure to do your research.

Motorbike insurance costs

The cost of motorbike insurance will vary depending on the type of bike you own, the level of cover you’re looking for and your personal circumstances, as well as the amount of excess you’re willing to pay.

However, the costs can increase with any add-ons you wish to include (note that some motorbike insurance companies will include certain “extras” as standard, so always check the policy wording).   

Other factors go into the cost as well. Your premiums can be affected by the kind of bike you ride (more powerful bikes will have higher premiums as they’re deemed higher risk), how much it’s worth and where you store it, as well as your driving history, your age, location and what you do for a living. Even things like your annual mileage and the times you ride can have an impact, as can whether you’re using your bike for leisure purposes only or as part of the commute.

Bear in mind that the best motorbike insurance in the UK isn’t necessarily the most expensive, but instead, it’s the one that provides the level of cover that’s right for you. Always compare motorbike insurance quotes to find the kind of ballpark figure you can expect to pay.

How can you reduce motorbike insurance costs?

There are plenty of ways you can reduce your motorbike insurance costs, including:

  • Build up a few years of no-claims bonuses. This shows that you’re less of a risk to insure, and your premiums could be lower accordingly.
  • Improve your motorbike’s security, such as by installing alarms and immobilisers, and parking it in a locked garage rather than a driveway.
  • Reduce your mileage.
  • Avoid modified, rare or exceptionally powerful bikes.
  • Take additional training. Some motorbike insurance companies will offer a discount if you’ve taken an advanced riding course.
  • Increase the voluntary excess.
  • Pay annually rather than monthly. Doing so means you can avoid additional interest being charged.

Yet one of the best things you can do is perform a thorough motorbike insurance comparison each year ahead of your renewal date. Providers rarely reward loyalty when it comes to insurance, so always see what else is out there. 

FAQs

Why is my motorbike insurance so high?

This could be due to any number of different factors, from your age to the kind of bike you ride, and even where you store it overnight. If you’re a new rider who’s splashed out on a vintage, high-powered bike for which parts are difficult to source and the bike expensive to replace, you’ll probably pay more than an experienced rider with a less powerful model who stores it in a locked garage rather than on the street. It’s worth speaking to your insurer if you want to delve into the details of your quote and look for ways you can bring the cost down. 

Can you add a motorbike to car insurance?

No. Car insurance is an entirely separate entity, so you’ll need a separate motorbike insurance policy if you want to legally ride your bike on the road. Similarly, you won’t be able to use a bicycle insurance policy either; it has to be specific to your vehicle.  

What is the cheapest style of motorbike to insure?

The cheapest style of motorbike to insure will typically be those with the least powerful engines. This means a moped or scooter with a 50cc or 125cc engine will likely be your best bet, but you’ll still need to compare motorbike insurance so you know you’re getting the best deal.

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Leanne Macardle

Freelance Contributor

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