Your age
Insurers see young or inexperienced riders as more at risk of being involved in a road accident and therefore charge them higher premiums
What types of moped insurance can I get?
Moped insurance, like car insurance, can offer three different levels of cover:
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Third party
Moped insurance covers you for damage done to another person and/or their vehicle, but not for damage done to your moped. It’s the minimum level of cover required to drive your moped on UK roads
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Third party, fire, and theft
Moped insurance includes third party cover plus protection if your moped is stolen or damaged by fire
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Fully comprehensive
Moped insurance includes all the above, as well as accidental damage, vandalism, and repairs to your moped. It may also cover accessories such as sat-nav or luggage, either as standard or as a policy add-on for which you pay an extra charge
How much does moped insurance cost?
Your moped insurance costs will depend on a range of factors, including:
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Your policy
As with any kind of motor insurance, fully comprehensive cover will usually be the cheapest form of moped insurance
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Your moped
Motorcycle insurers, like car insurers, sort their vehicles into motorcycle insurance groups based on factors such as their size and speed. Bikes in lower insurance groups generally have smaller engines and therefore qualify for the cheapest moped insurance quotes
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Your excess
The excess is the amount you contribute towards the cost of any claims. Volunteering to pay a higher excess fee tells insurers you won’t bother making small or frivolous claims, meaning they’ll often reward you with lower premiums
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Your payments
As with other types of insurance, you can pay your premiums monthly or annually. But while monthly payments help to spread the cost, you will usually end up paying more overall
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Your mileage
The less time you spend on the road, the less likely you are to be involved in a road accident – and the cheaper your moped insurance. However, be honest about your mileage, as lying could lead to any claims being rejected
What add-ons can I get with my moped insurance?
You can tailor your moped insurance to your needs by paying a bit more to add extra features to your policy. These include:
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Pillion insurance
This covers you to take passengers on your moped.
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Helmet and leathers cover
In case they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.
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Motorcycle Breakdown cover
Roadside assistance if your moped breaks down.
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Modified bike cover
Useful if you choose to modify your moped.
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Sidecar cover
Essential if you plan to ride your moped with a sidecar.
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Overseas cover
Insures you for riding your moped abroad.
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Personal liability cover
Protects you if you’re responsible for an accident.
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Personal accident cover
Pays out if you’re injured or killed on the road.
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Key cover
Pays out if you lose your moped keys.
What’s the difference between a moped and a scooter?
The main difference between mopeds and scooters is that mopeds have smaller engines. While moped engines can go up to 50cc, giving them a top speed of about 25mph, scooter engines start at 50cc and go up to 150cc – meaning they can go a lot faster. You can usually insure a moped for less than you would pay to insure a scooter as a result.
Is it necessary to get a license to drive a moped?
If you have a full driving licence dating from before 1 February 2001, you can ride a 50cc moped without L plates or any further training. However, if you passed your driving test after 1 February 2001, you’ll need to complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before you can ride a moped legally on UK roads.
If you are yet to get your car driving licence, meanwhile, you’ll need to get a provisional licence, after which you must complete the CBT course before riding a moped (with L plates) on the road. There’s no test to pass at the end; just complete the training and you can drive a 50cc moped at 16 years old or a 125cc scooter from the age of 17.
How do you qualify to ride a moped?
Unlike scooters and larger motorbikes, you’re legally allowed to start riding a moped when you’re 16 years old, provided the engine size is no more than 50cc. You’ll also need to:
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Complete your CBT
Upon doing this, you’ll be able to ride any moped or scooter (if you’re old enough). However, you’ll still need L plates
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Register with the DVLA
You should get your registration paperwork when you buy your bike. If not, you must register it with the DVLA yourself before taking it on the roads
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Pay vehicle tax
Fortunately, mopeds are in the lowest vehicle tax bracket
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Take out insurance
As explained above, you must have at least third-party cover to ride your moped on UK roads
How can I get a cheap moped insurance quote?
Finding cheap moped insurance is easy when you compare policies with MoneySuperMarket.
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Your details
Just tell us a little about yourself, your motorbike, and the type of cover you need
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Compare with us
We’ll search the market for a list of moped insurance quotes tailored to your needs.
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Get insured
Once you’ve found the policy you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.
Insurance guides and expert tips
How much is a moped?
The price you pay for a moped will depend on the make and model, as well as whether it is new or secondhand. While you can often pick up a secondhand 50cc moped for under £1,000, new moped prices are more likely to start at around £2,000 or £2,500.
Can you build up a no claims discount with moped insurance?
Yes, moped insurance providers will let you build up a no-claims bonus, which generally translates into a discount on your insurance premiums. The longer you go without making a claim, the higher your no-claims bonus. You may also be able to use your moped no-claims bonus to qualify for cheaper car insurance if you switch from two to four wheels.
Are legal expenses covered with moped insurance?
Most moped insurance providers offer legal expenses cover as an add on, rather than as a standard element of a moped insurance policy. You might, for example, be offered the chance to pay a bit more to benefit from £100,000 cover for legal costs resulting from an accident where you were not at fault. It’s not essential, but it could offer you some extra peace of mind.
What makes of moped can you get cover for?
You can get moped insurance for all the most popular brands, including:
Vespa
Piaggio
Honda
Suzuki
Kymco
Yamaha
Aprilia
How can 16-year-olds get insurance for a moped?
Moped insurance for 16-year-old riders is available from lots of insurers. However, it can be hard to find cheap moped insurance for 16 year olds, as insurers view young, inexperienced riders as higher risk policyholders. So, it’s even more important to shop around for the best deal using a comparison service like MoneySuperMarket. Other ways to keep your costs down include agreeing to pay a higher excess towards any claims and investing in extra security features such as chains and disc locks.
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Reviewed on 17 Dec 2025 by
Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
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