Insuring SORN'd motorbike during the winter months?

ernie-money

I had a scan through, but couldn't find anything about this - hope someone will have some good ideas...
My other half normally only rides his bike for about 6 months of the year, but as it's cheaper to pay for the insurance in one go, rather than installments and he doesn't want to risk the bike being stolen, he leaves the insurance running all year round.
I'm just wondering if it would be cheaper to somehow insure it for fire & theft only for 6 months of the year, and fully comp for the rest? How does everyone else do it? The bike (Hayabusa) is worth a fair bit of money, so not insuring it at all really isn't an option, but could probably arrange to keep it garaged somewhere if that would bring the premium down. Any advice greatfully received!
It may seem like a funny time of year to be thinking of this, but the current annual policy is up soon, so will be taking out a new one soon, and was hoping not to have to pay quite as much with the help of MSE...

lisyloo

I'm just wondering if it would be cheaper to somehow insure it for fire & theft only for 6 months of the year, and fully comp for the rest?

Probably not.
I have checked out PAYG (pay as you go) monthly insurance and annual is equivalent to about 7 months (for me) and that's without fire & theft and you wouldn't get no claims, so probably wouldn't be cheaper.
But you could have a look at https://www.ebike.co.uk.
In this case I think you need 8 months to get a years NCD so you need to consider the long term NCD effect.

How does everyone else do it?

Annual policy.
Oh and I ride in winter :-)

and was hoping not to have to pay quite as much with the help of MSE...

A 170 bhp bike is not exactly the best choice for economy :-)

The usual things apply.
Shop around, look for cashback.
A bikesafe, IAM or ROSPA course might save money in the long run, but if the main reason for doing it is the discount then check it out with quotes first, but ultimately having a bike of that spec will never get you cheap premiums.

ernie-money

Thanks for your reply. Since my post I have now found out that the policy actually becomes invalid if the bike is taken off the road - I had no idea this was the case! Is that the norm for all insurance companies...? If so, it looks like the only way of keeping the bike insured throughout the year is to also tax it during the winter months, even if it's not being used...

lisyloo

I think your best bet would be to talk to a broker and see if they can recommend a policy where you can switch it to "laid up" cover for 6 months. Check also that what happens with the NCB as ideally the policyholder would want 1 years NCD.

I don't know how other people do this as most of the people I know ride through the winter or are old enough that it's not an issue (my insurance is £120 and I'm "only" 42).

ernie-money

lisyloo wrote: »

a policy where you can switch it to "laid up" cover for 6 months.

I've actually just contacted ebike & they said that they would do just that! Start the policy on fully comp and then switch to fire & theft only whenever he sorns it, and he will get the full years no claims. I also did a quote for him on their website & rather amazingly it came out at £175 fully comp for the year!!!! (Oh and - £20 quidco as well - ideal!)
He's not exactly a spring chicken either, has got 9 yrs plus ncd & always used to ride all year round, but financial commitments lately have meant that he cant afford to run both car & bike year round, but the cost of that quote has blown me away, so looks like I've saved a bit with the help of the helpful people on MSE after all!
So thanks a lot for pointing me in their direction!