Quad Insurance

Quad bikes are most commonly seen off-road, and, along with being used for leisure and recreation, are a useful tool for agriculture, forestry and horticulture. However, there are some quad bikes which are road legal. These vehicles must be specially registered for road use as well as conforming to strict regulations in terms of constructions and lighting requirements.

Road legal quad bike regulations

The first thing you would have to do if you wanted to ride your quad on the road, would be to have it type approved. This is a testing procedure to verify that all vehicles in the UK meet European and domestic safety and environmental criteria.

Once it has been type approved, it can then be registered with the DVLA and taxed, and you would also need to make sure it had an MOT and was insured. Quad insurance is absolutely vital – especially following the new regulations introduced by the government last year.

New quad insurance regulations

Continuous Insurance Enforcement made it a legal requirement for every road going vehicle to be insured – even if they are sitting in a garage and not used. The aim was to have a real clampdown on the high numbers of uninsured drivers and riders that costs the insurance industry around £500million.

Not arranging for quad insurance can result in steep penalties including a fine of up to £1,000, as well as a court prosecution and your vehicle possibly being seized and destroyed. The only exception to this is if you have declared your quad to be off the road by contacting the DVLA and informing them that you wish to apply a SORN (statutory off road notification) to your vehicle.

However, just because quad insurance is such a vital necessity, it doesn’t mean you have to pay over the odds for it.  Shopping around and comparing quad bike insurance quotes across a number of providers by using MoneySupermarket’s quad insurance channel will increase your chances of finding the best deal possible.

Types of quad insurance

Quad bike insurance policies can vary dramatically and the price of yours will depend on what it is going to be used for. For example, if you were using it in a work situation, such as for use on a golf course, it would be very different to if you were using it in for leisure and off-roading.

If your quad is road legal, the insurer will take into consideration the fact that you will be driving in traffic, and therefore the minimum level of quad insurance you will be required to have is third party only, which will pay for damages and medical expenses of a third party were you to be involved in an accident. A more comprehensive type of insurance is third party fire and theft, and as quads can often be a target for thieves, this could be well worth considering. The most expensive option – but the option that covers the most, is fully comprehensive insurance. This will pay for repairs / replacement of your vehicle and any medical costs you would need were you to be involved in an accident

While it’s important to make sure that your premium is affordable, don’t be tempted to compromise by not getting a high enough level of insurance. Remember that cheapest isn’t always best – you could end up paying out far more in the long run if your insurance were to be deemed invalid.

Make sure you read the small print of every quad insurance policy before you buy as you could be getting much better value for money by opting for a different insurance company. For example you may find one that is inclusive of certain things that you would otherwise have to add on such as accessory cover for your helmet and tools. And be aware of any extras that you might need and want to add on such as motorcycle breakdown cover and European cover. Everyone will have individual needs so take some time to work out exactly what you want from your policy.

Ways to get a cheap quad insurance quote online

Insurers will take into account various risk factors when deciding on the cost of your cover. Make sure you take steps to make sure you get the best possible deal for your quad insurance:
Security

It’s essential to prove that you are adequately securing your quad. A garage is ideal but if this is not possible then ground anchors and approved locks or chains will show you are doing all you can to protect your vehicle from thieves. This in turn will give insurers confidence about your level of risk.

Avoid modifications

Don’t be tempted to keep information from your insurer such as if your quad has had modifications. If you were to put in a claim and your insurer found out, your policy could be deemed invalid.

Limit your mileage

Those who do less miles are seen as seen as being less risky by insurers. This will therefore be reflected in the quad insurance quotes you are offered.

Voluntary excess

Opt for a higher level of voluntary excess. Doing this can reduce your monthly premiums but just make sure that you don’t increase it so much that you wouldn’t be able to pay it if you did have to put in a claim.

Compare quad insurance online

Don’t just auto-renew your policy. Loyalty really doesn’t pay when it comes to insurance so make sure you are not apathetic and check out other policies before you make your decision – it really could afford you big savings.

It’s essential you check out a variety of providers and what they are offering. They can differ vastly and you need to get a policy that is tailored to your needs. Shopping online with MoneySupermarket’s dedicated quad insurance comparison service will allow you to compare a number of quotes and get the best deal for you.

For more tips and ideas on how you can reduce the cost of cover and make quad insurance quotes more affordable, feel free to take advantage of our money saving tips.