Motorbike insurance, like car insurance, is essential for you to legally ride on British roads. You’ll need buy a policy before you set out on your bike, but the level of cover you get is up to you.

Of course, there’s a lot to think about when you’re considering motorbike insurance levels. You’ll need to think about how you intend to use your bike, what your budget is for insurance plans and what policy and cover would work best for you.

To help you work out what motorbike insurance policy would suit you best, we’ve written a handy blog to get you started.

What levels of motorbike insurance cover are there?

There are three main levels of motorbike insurance that most providers offer:

• Third party only – Third party only motorbike insurance is insurance that only covers third party compensation. That means that if you are to have an accident, your insurance will only cover the compensation for the third party if the accident is deemed to be your fault. The policy will not cover repairs to your vehicle or any medical bills.
• Third party, theft and fire – Third party, theft and fire insurance covers third party compensation (like in third party only cover), as well as motorbike repair or replacement in case of fire damage or theft. This insurance can also cover replacement of the bike or any parts that are damaged or stolen during a theft – you’ll need to check your policy documents to be sure that this is applicable.
• Fully comprehensive: Fully comprehensive motorbike insurance is the highest level of cover you can get for your motorbike. If you are involved in an accident, you are covered for third party compensation as well as damage to your bike and any medical bills. Fully comp cover can also provide added extras depending on your insurer, such as a courtesy bike while yours is being repaired. Check your documents to see what extras you are covered for.

What is pillion cover?

Pillion cover is a feature of your motorbike insurance that covers anyone who rides pillion with you on your bike. Some insurers will have this included as standard with their policies, but for other providers, it is an optional benefit that may cost more.

It’s essential to check your insurance policy before you allow anyone to ride pillion with you because this can void any claims you may need to make. If you have this cover in place and you are involved in an accident, the pillion on your bike can claim compensation.

How much is insurance for a motorbike (UK)?

It’s generally hard to put a price on motorbike insurance because the price you’ll pay can depend on many different factors. Your age, your experience riding a motorbike, the model of your bike and whether it has been modified or not, are just some of the different elements that can make the cost of your insurance fluctuate.

The best way to get a good idea for how much you personally might expect to pay for your motorbike insurance is to check out a comparison service. Simply provide details about yourself and your bike and get access to a range of quotes from a range of insurers.

What's cheaper, car or motorcycle insurance?

As with many questions about cost and motorbike insurance, it is hard to provide a single answer. The cost of your motorbike insurance, and your car insurance for that matter, depend so much on a variety of factors, such as age, vehicle model and vehicle age. Some cars may cost more to insure than a motorbike, but other motorbikes may cost more for a number of reasons, than many cars.

The best way to find out how much your insurance will cost against car insurance is to use a comparison service to compare motorbike insurance.

Are older motorcycles cheaper to insure?

Older motorcycles can sometimes be cheaper to insure, this is generally because older motorbikes tend to be less powerful because of their age, and are therefore easier to control and less dangerous. The pricing of older motorbike insurance is also determined by how cheap it is to replace and repair parts – newer bikes can cost more to fix or to replace, so insurance can be higher. However, the size of the bike engine, make and model will all be taken into account, an older more expensive (or classic!) bike with a big engine, could cost more to insure than a new bike with a small engine.

How can I make my bike insurance cheaper?

Much of getting cheap motorbike insurance depends on you and the bike you choose to buy. Here are some considerations you should have in mind to bring the cost of your bike insurance down:

• Secure your bike: With third party, fire and theft, and fully comprehensive motorcycle insurance, adding an extra level of security to your bike and the place where you park it is a great way to lower your premiums. Add alarms and trackers, buy high-grade locks for your bike’s lockup or garage, and be sure to let your insurer know.
• Keep your use down: It might sound counterproductive, but try to keep your mileage down on your bike. The less you use your bike, the less likely it is that you might be involved in an accident, and the less likely your insurer will have to pay up. Less distance travelled can have a big impact on the cost of your premiums.
• Stay away from modifications: Modifications might seem like a good idea to get more from your motorcycle, but the truth is, a modified bike can see your insurance jump right up.

Take a look at our article on how to save money on your bike insurance for more tips and tricks on keeping your insurance costs down.

Motorbike insurance with Asda

Finding the right motorbike insurance for you is essential. Using a motorbike insurance UK comparison service, can help you find cheap motorbike insurance quotes. Find out more about our comparison service and get a quote here.