Motorbike insurance: the three types and how to get quotes

Who it suits

Comprehensive suits a financed bike, because the bank requires it, and any bike you could not replace from savings. Third party, fire and theft suits an older, paid-off bike that is still worth stealing. Third party only is the minimum for a scooter or commuter of low value. Theft is the largest risk for a bike, so where it is parked at night and whether a tracker or alarm is fitted matter more than they do for a car, and our form asks how often you wear full riding gear because some insurers price on it.

What the insurer will ask, and why

These are the questions on our form for motorbike, with what the insurer does with each answer. Nothing here is optional guesswork: every question exists because a licensed insurer needs it to quote.

Year of manufacture

Vehicle age and value.

Make

Rating by make and model (theft frequency, parts cost).

Model

Rating by make and model (theft frequency, parts cost).

Engine size

Engine size is a strong rating factor and maps to licence category (A1/A).

Roughly what is it worth today?

Sum insured band.

Type of cover you want

Where is it parked at night?

Theft risk rating; theft is a bigger factor for bikes than cars.

Is a tracker or alarm fitted? (optional)

Anti-theft devices reduce theft risk loading.

Is the bike insured right now?

Continuity of cover affects rating.

How long have you had your motorcycle licence?

Rider experience loading; licence category strongly affects risk.

Claims in the last 3 years

Claims history.

How often do you wear full riding gear? (optional)

Rider behaviour signal correlated with claims severity.

Postal code where the bike sleeps

Area rating is a strong location factor for theft and accident risk.

Your date of birth

Age is the primary rating factor across every product.

Which province do you live in?

Regional risk and pricing tables.

Town or suburb (optional)

Postal-code rating for short-term products; language and dialect hints for call centres.

What best describes your work situation?

Affordability and, for income products, insurability.

Do you have a bank account you can pay from by debit order?

Collection method.

Questions people ask