Motorbike insurance

CBT, which stands for compulsory basic training, refers to a course you must take before riding a motorbike or moped legally on UK roads. It’s valid for two years after completing it, and it qualifies you to ride a moped if you’re 16 and over, or a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW if you’re 17 and over.

There are a few exceptions where you don’t need a CBT:

• If you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001 and plan to ride a moped (up to 50cc)

• If you have a full moped licence from passing a moped test since 1 December 1990 and plan to ride a motorcycle

• If you have a full motorcycle licence for one category and want to upgrade to another

• If you live and ride on some offshore islands

• If you want to ride a trial e-scooter

Yes, 16-year-olds can ride scooters and mopeds if they have passed their compulsory basic training (CBT), but they are limited to a 50cc engine and a maximum speed of 28mph. You won’t be able to carry passengers or ride on motorways, and you must always have L-plates on display.

Yes, motorbike insurance can cover modifications but depending on the extent of the modification, you may need specialist insurance.

Cosmetic modifications can usually be covered but any modifications that increase the power or speed of your motorbike will be considered a higher risk factor and will probably increase your premium.

No, standard motorbike insurance does not usually cover punctures or wheel damage as they are considered wear and tear. Instead, you should consider breakdown cover or motorcycle tyre insurance.

No, you won’t be covered to ride other bikes unless you have multi-bike insurance or a ride any bike policy. If you do have cover, check whether it is third-party only and consider upgrading it otherwise if you damage a borrowed bike you won’t be covered.

Many insurers will let you add additional riders to your policy but it may impact your premium. If you add an experienced rider it could lower your premium but a young rider, who is considered higher risk, could increase your premium.

Yes, you can carry passengers with motorbike insurance provided you have pillion cover (check your policy documents to be sure or see if you can add it on) and you have a full motorcycle licence which allows you to carry passengers.

Yes, you can get a new replacement if your motorbike is written off as long as your insurance policy mentions a new-for-old replacement and your motorbike was brand new. Insurers usually have a rule about how much time has passed since the date of first registration.

An agreed value motorbike insurance policy guarantees that if your bike is written off or stolen, you will receive a set amount of money for it whereas market value pays out what your bike is worth at the time of the claim, taking into account depreciation, mileage and wear and tear.

You might want to opt for an agreed value policy if you have a rare or classic motorcycle.

No, you won’t get an agreed value pay-out if your motorbike is written off unless a value was set between you and your insurer when you took out the policy. Typically, the pay-out from your insurer will be your motorbike’s current market value.

Whether you buy back your motorbike and rebuild it or reuse the parts depends on both your insurer’s rules and the extent of the write-off. You should check which write-off category your motorbike is in:

• Category A (scrap): Your bike isn’t repairable and there are no useable parts

• Category B (break): Your bike can’t be repaired but some parts can be re-used or sold

• Category N (non-structural damage, repairable): Your bike hasn’t suffered structural damage but usually needs cosmetic repairs

• Category S (structural damage, repairable): You’ll need to pay for professional repairs as your bike has structural damage

Whether it is worth repairing your motorbike if it’s written off will also depend on the cost of repairs and what expertise you have.

No, you won’t be able to transfer a no-claims bonus from your car to your bike. But if you have a long claim-free history with your car insurance you may get an introductory discount from some insurers.

Yes, if you only ride your bike for part of the year, such as only in the summer, you could take out short-term motorbike insurance which usually covers you from a single day to a month.

However, when not using your motorbike, you’ll need to declare it SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) with the DVLA, which allows you to keep the bike off the road without insurance.

You can insure an imported motorbike so long as the bike is registered in the UK. If the bike wasn’t produced for sale in the UK, it is categorised as an imported motorcycle, and you might need to take out specialist cover as not all insurers offer policies for imported motorbikes.

Whether your motorbike insurance covers you for riding abroad depends on where you are travelling to. Standard motorcycle insurance includes cover for riding in the EU but usually for a set number of days and the cover level may be third-party only.

Depending on your provider, you may have options to upgrade your policy’s cover. Check your policy documents or contact your insurance provider for further details.

Yes, taking an advanced riding course can reduce your motorbike insurance premium as some providers will give you a discount. If you’re a newly qualified rider, taking some further training can also help lower the risk of an accident. However, you’ll need to weigh up any discount against the cost of the training.

Advanced riding courses include:

• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Rider Scheme: Once completed you’ll get a ‘DVSA certificate of competence’ which you can use to get discounts with most motorcycle insurers, the DVSA says. The scheme cost depends on the trainer and your training needs

• IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider Course: Includes 6-12 sessions with a qualified volunteer Observer, instructional videos and a logbook to track your progress, a year’s membership and the Advanced Test for £225

• RoSPA Advanced Riding Test: A 60-minute test approved by the DVSA and taken with a RoSPA Examiner (a serving or retired police officer) for £70.83

• BikeSafe: A two-day course, run by UK police forces, which includes e-learning, a theory class, an observed ride and feedback for £78

Generally, the higher the value and performance of your motorbike, the higher the insurance group it falls into. This often results in a higher premium, as the insurer takes on more risk covering potential damages or loss.

Motorbikes are typically sorted into 1 to 22 groups, with most motorbikes falling into groups 3 to 17. A 125cc motorcycle might be in groups 3 to 6, while a 250cc bike could go up to group 10. On the other end of the spectrum, a 750cc Ducati might be placed in group 17 due to its higher value and power.

You’ll need to check your specific motorbike insurance policy to check what isn’t covered but common exclusions are:

• Taking part in racing, competitions or speed trials

• Riding on race tracks or circuits

• Carrying passengers for hire or reward

• Using your motorbike for courier or food-delivery services (you’ll need hire and reward cover for that)