What is comprehensive motorbike insurance?

Key takeaways

• Fully comprehensive motorbike insurance offers the most extensive protection and covers third-party damages, your own motorbike, and injuries, regardless of fault

• Additional extras may include legal cover, personal accident cover, pillion cover and breakdown cover but these are sometimes standard with comprehensive insurance

• Despite higher protection, it can be cheaper due to the high-risk association of third-party policies

What is comprehensive motorbike insurance?

There are three main motorbike insurance cover levels that cater to different needs and budgets:

• Third-party only: This is the minimum level of insurance required by law. It covers damage to third parties, their vehicles, or property in the event of an accident that is deemed your fault

• Third-party, fire, and theft: This level of cover includes everything in third-party insurance, with the added protection against your motorbike being stolen or damaged by fire

• Comprehensive (also known as fully comprehensive or fully comp): This is the highest level of cover available. It includes all the benefits of the previous levels and also covers damage to your own motorbike and injuries, regardless of who is at fault

Do I need fully comprehensive motorbike insurance?

While third-party insurance might seem like the economical choice, it's often the most expensive option with the least cover.

Surprisingly, fully comprehensive policies can be more affordable and provide more extensive protection.

This is because third-party cover is frequently chosen by high-risk riders, which has led to higher claim rates and, consequently, higher premiums for this type of cover.

What does fully comprehensive motorbike insurance cover me for?

A fully comprehensive policy is the most protective cover you can get for your motorbike. It typically includes:

• Damage to third parties, their vehicles, or property

• Cover for your own motorbike, even if the accident was your fault

• Cover for injuries you may sustain in an accident

Add-ons for peace of mind

When opting for a fully comprehensive policy, you can also include a range of extras to tailor your cover to your needs, if they’re not provided as standard:

• Legal cover: This can help with legal costs if you're not at fault in an accident

• Personal accident cover: Provides a payout for certain injuries or in the event of death

• Pillion cover: Essential if you plan on carrying passengers

• Breakdown cover: Offers assistance if your motorbike breaks down while you're on the road

• European cover: For those adventures across the continent

• Leathers and helmet cover: Protects your gear if it's lost, damaged, or stolen

• Key cover: For those moments when your keys go missing

What factors influence the cost of my fully comprehensive motorbike insurance?

The premiums for fully comprehensive motorbike insurance are influenced by a variety of factors:

• Your age: Insurance providers generally see inexperienced or young riders as bigger claim risks, often resulting in higher premiums

• Your motorcycle: High-powered bikes are thrilling but can cost more to insure

• Your riding history: A clean record could mean lower premiums, while a history of convictions or high mileage could increase them

• Your claims history: A no-claim history can reduce costs, whereas previous claims can bump them up

• Your security and storage: Keeping your motorbike in a secure location can lower insurance costs

• Your excess fee: Opting for a higher voluntary excess can reduce your premium

• Your payment method: Paying your premium annually can be more cost-effective than monthly instalments

• Your location: Living in a high-crime area may lead to higher premiums

Is fully comprehensive cover my cheapest option?

Yes, despite the higher level of protection it offers, fully comprehensive cover for motorbike insurance can often be the more economical choice. This is due to the association of third-party policies with high-risk drivers, which has inflated the cost of these plans.

How can I reduce my motorbike insurance costs?

There are several ways to potentially lower the cost of your fully comprehensive motorbike insurance:

• Reduce your annual mileage

• Build up a no-claim bonus

• Invest in additional security measures for your motorbike

But remember, insurance prices are tailored to individual needs and circumstances, so what works for one rider may not work for another.

Can I ride other motorbikes if I have comprehensive cover?

Yes, some fully comprehensive motorbike insurance policies may allow you to ride other bikes, but it's crucial to check the terms and conditions of your policy. If you have multiple motorcycles, multi-bike insurance could be a viable option.

What type of use does comprehensive motorbike insurance cover me for?

Like car insurance, comprehensive motorcycle insurance has different classes of use, based on how you use your motorbike:

• Social, domestic, and pleasure (SDP): For everyday journeys such as shopping trips, visiting friends and family or going on holiday

• Social, domestic, pleasure, and commuting (SDP+C): Covers all the above, plus your journey to a single place of work

• Personal business (SDPC+business): If you travel to multiple locations for work then personal business class is a must

• Courier and delivery: If you’re using your motorbike for the carriage and delivery of goods you’ll need this cover

How can I compare comprehensive motorbike insurance quotes?

MoneySuperMarket is here to help you compare motorbike insurance quotes, allowing you to find tailored options that strike the balance between cost and cover.

Remember, the cheapest policy isn't always the best - consider the level of protection as well as the price.