Insurance News

Motorbike insurance is much like car insurance in that it comes in many different shapes and sizes. There is comprehensive insurance, third party, various add ons and all manner of extras in there. Of course, this all depends on the different insurers that you choose to look at because different insurers will have different features. However, if you want to ride your bike anywhere but the road you may not be insured under any of the motorbike insurance options you look at.

Off road scrambling is a rush and many bikers love to do it every now and again but only select policies actually cover off road activities because it is much more dangerous and the likelihood is that the bike will get a little damaged, or even totalled if you hit a particularly rough patch of the road. Make sure that your cover is comprehensive and covers wherever you choose to take your bike before you ride it.

Most people will not want to even go out in the weather that we are currently having but I was reminded that this maxim does not apply to all individuals out there when I looked out of the window this morning to see the guy that lives over the road skidding off his bike as soon as he moved off the drive. He will not be happy with his motorbike insurance premium next time!

Motorbike insurance is expensive enough as it is but if you chance going out on your bike in this weather then you could be looking at increased premiums next year. The alternative is to pay any repair bills that come your way providing that there is nobody else involved in an accident of course. Then there is your health. My advice – leave your bike at home for now and look into alternative transport. After all, your life is more precious than one bike journey.

Motorbike insurance is available from a range of providers. All bikers know that and go about getting quotes when renewal time rolls around. At least, sensible bikers do. However, there is one source that many male bikers probably do not try. That source is the specialist female car insurance providers. There is one major provider that only providers car insurance for women but that actually also provide a range of other insurances for both genders.

Although the motorbike insurance that this provider offers is available for people of both genders, it is just as good value for money as their specialist products and, as such, may well offer you lower premiums. They are experienced in the industry so you can have peace of mind that they will provide you with good service and advice as and when you need it. Who is ths provider? Well, think precious stones!

In a couple of days we will be in December and the party season will begin in earnest. As a result, people should begin to think about the parties they will attend and how to get home afterwards… and also what will happen to their insurance premiums should they be pulled over and fail a breathalyser test. However, those with motorbike insurance do not have to worry about premiums going up as a direct result of drink driving because they are far less likely to do so, according to a recent survey by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI).

The survey concluded that 1.4% of all bikers breathalyse after an accident in 2008 were found to be over the limit, whereas  all road users averaged out at 2.7%. As such, it could be argued that those with motorbike insurance are more responsible than others. Perhaps they just love their bikes more, but either way they are more sensible and safer!

Motorbike insurance is a little more complex when it comes to security than car insurance, and with good reason. Lifting a car into a van would be a little more difficult to accomplish than lifting a motobike into one instead! OK, slight understatement there but you get the picture. Having said that, it is not always possible to put your bike in a garage ovenight and so you may have to look for other ways to secure your bike to lower your motorbike insurance quotes.

There are various ways in which you can secure your motorbike overnight. The first is obviously leaving it somewhere that would make it difficult for thieves to steal, such as in a back garden behind a locked gate. You can also use locks , chains and electronic security measures However, these are best used in conjunction with an anchor of some sort to ensure that your bike stays put for good!

Good news for all motorbike insurance policy holders – your premiums may well be coming down in the years to come because the training bodies have now merged and will provide better training and licensing procedures in the years to come! The Motorcycle Industry Trainers Association is the brand new body and incorporates the Motor Cycle Industry Trainers Association and the Motorcycle Rider Training Association. In effect, this will change the way in which motorbike training and licensing is administered. 

Henceforth known as the Third Driving Licence Directive, license fraud will be clamped down on and paper licenses would no longer be valid. As such, all riders will have to get photo licenses and they will indeed be renewable every decade. You would have to undergo a medical to get it back. This is designed to enhance safety and ensure that the roads remain safe. It will lower your motorbike insurance though!

So you want to save money on motorbike insurance. You have found it too expensive to afford next year but you cannot cut down your mileage or claim any more discounts. So what do you do? Well, did you know that your motorbike insurance is linked to the amount of engine power that your bike has? Some do and some don’t but a surefire way to lower your premiums is to switch your bike to one with a little less power.

Much like cars, motorbikes are classified into groups and the premiums increase as the bikes get more expensive to repair and more powerful. As such, a cheaper policy is always available on a moped than on a Harley. OK, so the two do not compare but you get the drift. If you are desparate to save money then this may well work out the best way to do so.

Have you heard of Pass Plus courses that drivers can go on to help reduce their insurance premiums immediately after passing their test? Well, did you know that there are motorcycle advanced training courses that can do exactly the same for people wanting to reduce their motorbike insurance premiums after just passing their tests too?

Most motorbike insurance providers will offer a discount of at least 10% to those individuals that have taken advanced motorcycle courses purely and simply because they are statistically less likely to have an accident and thus much less likely to make a claim. Of course, you may not have this under your belt when you first apply for insurance so after you do such a course inform your provider and if no discount is applied then look elsewhere to get what is rightfully yours.

Motorbike insurance is a common product in the insurance marketplace today and most providers now offer it. Although there are some specialists still around, you can now get quotes from mainstream providers. All of them are starting to consider the safety of riders as well as covering the bike itself and so an important element of all cover is that applying to your helmet.

Helmet cover is a standard element of most motorbike insurance policies but you should have a good read of all the terms surrounding it. Some policies only cover your helmet if it is damaged in an accident but others will cover your helmet if it is stolen or accidentally damaged as well. Similarly, some have an excess that applies whereas others do not. Make sure that you know in advance what you are covered for so your safety is taken care of.

Every motorbike enthusiast is fully aware of what a pillion is. They know that it is the cushion that sits on the back of their motorbike to carry passengers when riding, but you have to wonder whether or not they know exactlyhow much it costs them. Do you know how much it costs you t have a pillion? You have to look at your motorbike insurance to find out why.

Motorbike insurance is composed of a number of factors, all of which combine to formulate the premiums that you are required to pay. One of these elements is whether you can carry passengers or not. As a result, having a pillion will actually cost you more. If, on the other hand, you do not have a pillion and declare as such then your premiums will be lower. The moral of the story? If you do not carry passengers then you pay less for insurance!