Motorbike Insurance

Badger_Lady

Hey all,

Well, in the spirit of moneysaving, I'm selling my BMW 3 series ('orrible beast of a car anyway) and grabbing myself a motorbike. Or probably a 125cc moped (I rather like the Vespas). CBT is finished and out of the way, so just the buying and selling left!

But I know absolutely nothing about motorcycle insurance - what's it all about? What should you look for / expect, who are the top providers and how much should you pay???

Thickie Badger

Alias_Omega

Depends on age, motorcycle, previous points, accidents and claims.

Id expect £300-400 for someone under 25 with no previous riding experience on a 125cc TPFT.

On a good note, im 29yrs old, 4yrs ncb, passed in 1998, a 1989 400cc NC30 and i pay £69 TPFT.

So it doesnt reduce that much when you get this old.

Badger_Lady

I'm 26 Is the insurance pretty much the same as car insurance then?

davetrousers

I use ebikeinsurance, never had a claim so can't really comment, but I always make sure I include legal cover.

ebikeinsurance are on Quidco too.

lisyloo

Hi Badger Lady,

Nice to see you joing the biking community.
Bike insurance is similar to car insurance really.

I would recommend a company called ebikeinsurance (but not without provisos).
They were offering £40 on quidco and paid out quickly (few weeks) but you'd need to check whether that's still valid.
They offer competitive quotes because they do everything on-line.
This has pros and cons.
If you get a fully comp policy with them you get breakdown and free legal insurance as well, so with the cashback it's a good deal.
You can make standard changes on-line, so if you want to add a new bike or new rider then you can do that relatively easily.
However I have found that if you need to do somethign that their computer system can't cope with (like add a rider who has claims) then you cannot get to speak to anyone on the phone and it can take days by email.
So 99% of the time their system is great and competitive, but now and again it falls down if you hit a scenario where "computer says no".

If you want a more traditional insurer that you can speak to on the phone then Carole Nash have a very good name within the business.

But same issue apply as car insurance really.

Don't forget that as far as claims go you must declare "motoring" claims. So any car claims will count against you on bike insurance. (I didn't realise this initially).

As well as insurance I would strongly recommend you get yourself some form of additional training.
The best thing to start with first is something call BikeSafe.
This is free in many parts of the country and is run by volunteer police officers on their weekends. They will go out an ride with you and give you some tips to improve your riding as well as do some "classroom" stuff like presentations, videos, questionnaires about your attitude.
Your main defence against death and injury is yourself,. so it really is well worthwhile and there are some free things available.
So google for "BikeSafe" and check out what the "Road safety partnerships" in your area do.

I am a convert to all this kind of stuff, because not only do I consider it important for safety but I have actually enjoyed my riding a great deal more as I have become more skillful. There is plenty availble out there to help you and some of it is free, so I would definitely encourage you to take advantage of it.

Badger_Lady

lisyloo wrote: »

Don't forget that as far as claims go you must declare "motoring" claims. So any car claims will count against you on bike insurance. (I didn't realise this initially).

Uh-oh _pale_

The BikeSafe is interesting - thanks! They're running one in my area next month, although it is £100... not clear whether it can help reduce your insurance premiums...

lisyloo

There is a pull down on ebike for additional qualifications and I think Bikesafe is on there, so it is recognised (and with other insurers).
Do a quote with and without to see the difference.
I would doubt very much it'll save you £100, probably more like £10.

hardtail

Badger Lady , I've been riding for years , currently have a hardtail chop , and I recommend you give Carole Nash a phone . I've used them for a good few years now , always get a good deal and a good sympathetic service which bikers don't often get from other firms , specially when you're trying to insure home made chops , no problem with Carole Nash .

lisyloo

I'm not sure exactly where in South Wales you are, but one thing to consider is going on the Avon & Somerset Bike Safe day (although it will be windy going across the bridge on a 125).

I live in Wiltshire and I went on the Avon & Somerset BikeSafe day (in 2005).
I have also just been on a free First Aid course with Somerset Road Safety Partnership despite the fact that I don't live in that county.

If you don't want to do anything underhand then give them a call or email them to ask if you can go.
They might be willing to let you go if they have space on the day or if someone drops out.

I live in Wiltshire and when we go to Cardiff it takes us about an hour.
Obviously it depends on how motivated you are, but it's a possibility to consider.

I wouldn't spend £100 on a day with BikeSafe.
If you are thiking of spending that then look at the weekend course run by Gwent police. You'll get a whole weekend for £100, which would be better.
So shop around before spending.

Dave101t

i was going to get a 125cc 'to practise on' after i passed my test but the instructors said to get a real bike as i had the full licence. so my 1st bike was a ducati 750ss! loads of fun and insurence was 350 quid TPFT. with 1 years no claims it went down to 250 quid for fully comp! i was 24

lisyloo

Fantastic bike (and I have a Ducati) but moneysaving and Ducati do not sit well toggether in the same sentence.