20 tips on how to get cheaper motorbike insurance

Getting value for money on your motorbike insurance is important, but a cheap policy might not cover everything you expect it to.

Here are 20 ways you can save on your motorbike insurance without compromising on the cover you need:

1. Choose a smaller, older or less expensive bike

Motorbikes that are smaller or older tend to have less powerful engines, which means your insurance will be less expensive.

They're usually cheaper to repair or replace and less powerful vehicles have less potential to cause damage or injury to others.

This might not be the case with rare or classic bikes though.

2. Avoid modified and unusual motorbikes

Having a motorbike with lots of modifications will make you premiums more expensive. They make your bike more expensive to repair, or replace, and more attractive to thieves.

Imported motorbikes can also be more costly to insure, especially ‘grey imports'. These are bikes that aren’t available in the same form in the UK and are imported from outside the EU.

3. Limit your mileage

The less riding you do, the less of a risk you’ll be to insurers, so your premiums will be lower.

4. Pay annually

Paying your insurance in full is cheaper than by monthly instalments, because you won’t pay interest or finance arrangement fees.

5. Improve your motorbike’s security

Fit your bike with a Thatcham-approved alarm and immobiliser to deter thieves. You could also install a tracker, so your bike can be easily found if it is stolen.

Keep in mind that the cost of improving your motorbike’s security might outweigh savings on your insurance. But, it will reduce your chance of having to make a claim for theft.

6. Park somewhere safe

If possible, keep your garage in a secure garage or shed, or on a driveway overnight.

This lowers the chances of your motorbike being stolen or damaged and could reduce the cost of your insurance.

7. Consider who rides your bike

Having a young or inexperienced rider on your policy means you’ll end up paying more, but adding an experienced rider (with their permission) could help cut costs.

It's important to be honest about who the main rider is though. If you don’t, you’ll be committing a type of insurance fraud called fronting and any claims you make will be rejected.

8. Take a motorbike training course

You can take an advanced riding course to gain experience and further your skills, but not all insurers offer a discount for the extra experience. You'll need to weigh up the cost of the course versus the reduction you get.

9. Get the right motorbike cover type

If your bike is old, or not worth much, then it could work out cheaper to get a lower level of cover - third party, fire and theft, instead of fully comp for example.

Surprisingly, policies that offer lower levels of cover aren't always cheaper than a comprehensive policy.

Make sure you know exactly what the cover you choose includes and excludes, and compare your options to make sure you're getting value for money.

10. Only pay for what you need or want

Don’t pay for cover you don’t need or want - it all adds up. For example, you might not want legal assistance or need access to a courtesy motorbike.

If you need it, breakdown cover can either be bought alone or as an add-on to motorbike insurance, so do your research to find out which is cheaper.

11. Motorbike use

Using your motorbike for commuting means you’re more likely to be driving in busy traffic. For insurers, that means more risk of an accident and claim than someone who just rides socially.

You have to be honest with insurers about how and when you use your bike though. You run the risk of any claim you need to make being rejected otherwise.

12. Build up your no claims discount

Riders with a number of claim-free years will usually benefit from lower premiums.

13. Increase your voluntary excess

You can choose to pay a higher voluntary excess, which usually means cheaper quotes.

Be certain that this is something you could afford though, as you’d need to pay the voluntary excess in addition to the compulsory excess if you make a claim.

14. If you're a seasonal rider, consider short-term cover or cancelling your insurance mid-term

Unless you get a statutory off-road notification (SORN) and keep your bike off road, you'll need to insure, and tax it, it all year round.

You can get a statutory off-road notification (SORN). SORNed bikes don't have to be insured. But you’ll have to take your bike off the road and not ride it.

When you want to ride, you can declare it as on the road, pay your tax and get insurance.

Short-term motorbike insurance is rare, but some specialist insurers do offer it.

If you don’t need cover for the full year, you can cancel your insurance mid-term. You'll usually get a partial refund if you’ve not made any claims, less any cancellation fees.

This isn’t guaranteed though, so check the cancellation terms before you commit.

Keep in mind, you won’t get your no-claims bonus for that year.

15. Consider multi-bike cover

If you’ve got more than one bike, you don’t have to insure them all separately. By doing this, the insurer assumes that you could ride any of the bikes at any time.

Some insurers offer multiple motorcycle cover, which considers the use of each bike individually. This could be useful if, for example, you have a moped for commuting to work but you ride a tourer on the weekends.

Multiple bike insurance can work out cheaper than insuring your collection separately, but it might not make much difference if you have more than one rider on the policy - more riders plus more bikes equals more risk.

16. Be honest and don't overestimate your bike's value

Be upfront about all aspects of your policy, from what you intend to use the motorbike for or whether you have any criminal convictions, to how much your bike is worth.

Missing off details or giving incorrect information could lead to your insurer rejecting any claims you make, which will also push up the price of your premiums next year.

17. Pay attention to administration charges

Administration charges are a commonly hidden expense on motorbike insurance, but it’s something you should consider when comparing quotes.

If you need to change your details, some policies might do this for free, but others will charge you for it, sometimes up to £50.

Consider these charges when comparing cover, as spending an extra £5 on a policy with reasonable administration fees could save you a lot more in the long run.

18. Think about when to renew your motorbike insurance for the best price

The later you leave it, the more expensive your cover could be. Compare prices early to avoid paying more than you need to.

You can buy your motorbike insurance up to 29 days before the policy start date and 'lock in' the price you're quoted on that day.

Insurers can change their prices at any time, so the price you see when you first compare quotes might change if you return to buy later.

19. Don't just auto-renew

Unless you tell your motorbike insurance provider otherwise, it’s likely your policy will automatically renew for another year of insurance as soon as your current policy ends.

Although it can seem like less hassle to just let your insurance roll over for another year, you could be missing out on savings with another provider for the same level of cover by letting it auto-renew.

If you find a better deal, make sure you cancel your auto-renewal in plenty of time, so you don’t get charged for two separate policies.

Alternatively, if you’d rather stick with your existing insurer, get in touch with them and see if you can negotiate a better price.

20. Shop around for the right motorbike quote

Comparing a range of motorbike insurance quotes means you can find the cover you need for a cheaper price.

It’s not all about cost. Finding the right insurance that covers what you need comes first. Getting a cheaper premium, is just a bonus.