125cc motorbike insurance woes

JenKKR

Hi all,
My son who is 19 has a 125 motorbike which is insured in his name but the insurance is up next month so we started getting quotes. This year is double last year despite him having a year's no claims now. He only does around 750 miles per year as he doesn't go far on it. The quotes are around £1200 with 450 excess tpft! His bike is only worth 3k.
Help. We will struggle to afford his insurance at this rate as he's at college with a part time job.

CliveOfIndia

I remember being that age, having your own means of transport and some independence is priceless.  However, when push comes to shove and funds are limited, you sometimes have to make unpalatable decisions.

The first thing to consider is whether he actually needs the bike.  If he's only doing 750 miles a year, then £1200 a year (along with the other costs associated with running any form of transport) will pay for a lot of bus and taxi fares.  Depends on his usage patterns, of course.  If he's using the bike for a 5 mile round-trip to college then I'd wager that a bus would be a viable alternative.  If he does a 200 mile trip once every 6 months then that's probably not an option - though even then, inter-city coaches are available.

Secondly, it's worth getting some quotes for fully-comp insurance.  It sounds counter-intuitive, but it can sometimes actually be cheaper than TPFT.

Finally, make sure you're looking at all the insurers.  The aggregator sites such as the Meerkats are an obvious one, but there are some who don't appear on those (Direct Line and LV are a couple that spring to mind, I'm sure there are others).  And check out some of the brokers - again, there are lots out there, Adrian Flux is one of the well-known ones.

Insurance in general has got more expensive for everyone recently, but hopefully the above comments will give you some ideas to go on.

Sea_Shell

What about Aviva?

They used to be motorbike friendly back in their Norwich Union days.   I realise a lot has changed since then.

There is a specialist bike insurer too...but can't think of it....

MCE.   M C Edwards

Might only be for big bikes, but can't hurt to give them a call (assuming they're still going)

strawb_shortcake

We've recently sorted my Son's first 125 insurance out. When we looked at Easter we were quoted £600. Last month cheapest was £725 FC with £1100 excess. There was a massive gap between that and the next price with other quotes starting at £1800 I think? 

One site only two companies quoted and cheapest was £15000!

I think it was Lexham we went with in the end

DullGreyGuy

Try Comp and also try a higher mileage (assuming it's a true potential for them to do it). Haven't done much bike insurance but for Car both would be likely to reduce the premiums - ultra low mileage increases premiums, the honest reason is because the statistics show a worse claims experience but you could theorize that its due to not being used to the vehicle because such little time spent in it and/or such low mileage can indicate a weekend fun vehicle which means people dont drive normally.

prettyandfluffy

Have a look in Motorcycle News.  Has your son passed his test? If not, that would be a good way of potentially bringing premiums down.  You could also look at it where it is usually kept, if parked on the street try moving onto the drive or a garage.

JenKKR

prettyandfluffy said:

Have a look in Motorcycle News.  Has your son passed his test? If not, that would be a good way of potentially bringing premiums down.  You could also look at it where it is usually kept, if parked on the street try moving onto the drive or a garage.

He's not sat his test as yet as we wanted him to get more experience of riding first. But maybe it would be better now if he did sit it. It's kept in a locked garage at night with didc lock and chain so I don't think it's where its kept, I think it must be his age, mileage and inexperience thats hiking the cost.