Why Compare Motorbike Insurance?
Panel Prices Each Bike Type
Mopeds, scooters, 125cc bikes and full-power machines sit in different rating bands. Compare providers that price your bike, licence stage and storage accurately.
Learner Stages Need A Match
CBT, AM, A1, A2 and full A riders can need different policy wording. A matched quote helps avoid cover that misses your actual entitlement.
Security Can Shift The Quote
Locked storage, approved chains and trackers may change the price. Clean Green Cars introduces you to UK insurance providers offering motorbike cover so you can compare panel quotes in one short form.
Motorbike Insurance At A Glance
- Insurance Is A Legal Requirement - any motorbike ridden on UK roads needs at least third party motor cover under the Road Traffic Act 1988, regardless of engine size.
- Cover Spans Every Bike Type - the panel handles 50cc mopeds, mopeds, scooters, 125cc bikes, sports bikes and touring bikes.
- Licence Ladder Recognised - CBT, AM (16+), A1 (17+), A2 (19+) and full A (24+) are all catered for, and young rider profiles are quoted by specialists who understand the early years.
- CBT Lasts 2 Years - the CBT certificate is valid for 2 years and must be retaken or upgraded by passing a practical test before it lapses, otherwise insurance may not be valid.
- Theft Is A Major Rating Factor - urban postcodes and on-street parking often price above garaged storage in quieter postcodes, so the form's storage and security questions matter.
- Compare Quotes - see UK insurance providers priced for your bike, postcode and licence stage in one short form.
Do I Need Motorbike Insurance?
Riding any motorbike on UK roads requires at least third-party motor insurance under s.143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Without it, a single ANPR hit can mean an IN10 conviction, a fixed penalty and a seized bike.
- Public Road Use Needs Insurance - at minimum third party motor cover is required before riding on a road or other public place, whether the bike is a 50cc moped or a 1200cc tourer
- SORN Off-Road Bikes Differ - a motorbike declared off-road under SORN and kept on private land may not need an active policy, although theft and fire cover usually still help
- Licence Is Separate From Insurance - holding the right licence stage (CBT, A1, A2 or full A) is a separate legal requirement from the insurance policy itself
- Provider Conditions Apply - some providers may require Thatcham-approved security or off-street storage in higher-theft postcodes (compare panel quotes via the form above)
UK Motorbike Licence Requirements
Cover Levels Explained
Pick third party only on a higher-value motorbike and a single theft from outside a corner shop could be an uninsured total loss. Here's what each cover level typically includes across the motorbike panel.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability to third parties (legal minimum) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fire and theft of your bike | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accidental damage to your own bike | Yes | No | No |
| Helmet and leathers cover | Often included | Provider-dependent | No |
| Personal accident benefit for rider | Typically yes | Provider-dependent | No |
| Bike accessories and luggage | Often included up to a limit | Provider-dependent | No |
| New-for-old replacement on a recent bike | Often included within 1-2 years | Provider-dependent | No |
| EU riding (third-party level) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Breakdown and motorcycle recovery | Often add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Uninsured rider promise (no excess if not at fault) | Often included | Provider-dependent | No |
Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurance providers, so always check the policy wording.
Cover Tip: For a low-value used moped or 125cc, third party fire and theft often gives the best balance of protection and price. For a newer 125cc, a sports bike, an A2-restricted machine or a touring bike, comprehensive is usually worth the extra. Always check the helmet, leathers, accessories and EU riding clauses before buying.
What May Not Be Covered
A single unchecked exclusion can turn a stolen motorbike into an unpaid claim. Here's what a standard UK motorbike policy typically doesn't cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Riding Without A Valid CBT Or Licence - Cover may be declined if you ride a motorbike without a valid CBT certificate (where required), without the right licence stage, or after a licence has lapsed. Always renew CBT before the 2-year expiry and check A1, A2 or full A entitlement matches the bike.
- Motorway Use Under CBT Or Provisional - Riding a moped or 125cc on a motorway while holding only CBT and a provisional licence is outside the licence entitlement and may invalidate the policy, even if the journey is short.
- Pillion Passenger Under Provisional - Carrying a pillion passenger on any motorbike while holding only CBT and a provisional licence is outside the licence entitlement and may invalidate the policy in the event of a claim.
Important Limitations
- Undeclared Modifications - Aftermarket exhausts, performance parts, custom paint and non-standard wheels must be declared. Power restriction removal on a 125cc or A2-restricted bike is generally illegal and may invalidate cover entirely, as well as breaching the licence entitlement.
- Track Days And Off-Road Use - Riding a motorbike on a racing circuit, time trial or competitive off-road event is excluded under standard policies and requires specialist track day or off-road cover instead.
- Theft Without Stated Security - Some providers require a Thatcham-approved chain, ground anchor, disc lock or off-street storage in higher-theft postcodes. Failing to meet a stated security condition may invalidate a theft claim, particularly on 125cc, scooter and sports bike segments.
Extras Worth Considering
Skip helmet and leathers cover and a single fall could cost £400-£800 in kit. These optional extras may be worth adding to a motorbike policy.
Replacement helmet, jacket, gloves and boots after an insured incident. A full leathers and helmet set may run £400-£800, and a standard motorbike policy doesn't always include this cover by default.
Roadside assistance and recovery built around motorcycles specifically, including bike-suitable transport. A standard car-style breakdown service may not have the right equipment for a motorbike.
A lump-sum benefit if you suffer specified injuries while riding. Useful on a commuter motorbike ridden daily in busy UK traffic, where exposure to incident is higher than for a car driver.
Motor legal expenses may help with the cost of recovering uninsured losses, such as excess or personal injury, after a non-fault incident on a motorbike.
What Affects The Cost?
Rider age, postcode, bike type and how the motorbike is stored overnight push premiums sharply up or down. Here are the factors that shape a motorbike quote across the panel.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Rider age and experience | 16- and 17-year-old CBT riders typically price highest of any motorbike group, and quotes drop through the early and mid twenties as licence stages step up and no-claims years build. |
| Home postcode | Higher-theft urban postcodes typically price above quieter suburban or rural postcodes nearby, with motorcycle theft data feeding directly into the rating engine. |
| Bike value and specification | A sports-styled 125cc may price above a simple commuter scooter at similar engine size, and a 600cc supersport often prices above a 650cc adventure bike of similar value, due to theft and repair profile. |
| Overnight storage | A locked garage typically prices lowest, a locked driveway shed or off-street parking sits in the middle, and on-street public parking often prices highest in theft-prone postcodes. |
| Security devices fitted | A Thatcham-approved chain, ground anchor, disc lock or tracker may help reduce the quote, and some providers require specific approved security in higher-theft postcodes. |
| Annual mileage | Lower declared mileage typically prices lower than higher mileage, although accuracy matters because under-declaring the actual miles ridden may affect a claim. |
| Licence and CBT status | CBT plus a provisional licence is the entry route for mopeds and 125cc bikes. Quotes typically improve as a rider passes A1, A2 and full A tests, removing L plates and unlocking larger machines. |
| No-claims discount | Most UK insurance providers recognise around 9 years of motorcycle NCD (no-claims discount), and accrued NCD often transfers across bike type changes. |
| Cover tier chosen | For a low-value used moped or 125cc, third party fire and theft and comprehensive may price closer together than expected, so it's worth comparing all three tiers across the panel. |
| Compulsory and voluntary excess | Younger riders and learner motorbike riders may face a higher compulsory excess (the first part of any claim you are liable for), and adding a voluntary excess on top may further reduce the headline premium. |
The quotes you get will depend on your own details.
Price Insight: Motorbike premiums vary widely by bike type. A 17-year-old on a 125cc commuter may see roughly £600 to £1,200 a year, a young rider on a 600cc sports bike often sits considerably higher, and an experienced rider on a 1200cc tourer with garaged storage may price lower than either (UK motorcycle insurance market data, as at March 2026). Storage and security can move the headline figure meaningfully in any of those bands.
Ways To Help Reduce Your Premium
Renew without checking and a motorbike policy can drift £80-£250 above a fresh comparison. Here are practical ways to cut what you pay across the motorbike panel.
Use Locked Off-Street Storage Where True
Declaring a locked garage or a secured off-street parking position, accurately and where genuinely available, tends to be the single largest saving lever on a motorbike quote in many UK postcodes.
Fit Thatcham-Approved Security
A Thatcham-approved chain, ground anchor and disc lock may help reduce the quote, and some providers in higher-theft postcodes require approved security as a policy condition.
Declare Mileage Accurately
Realistic annual mileage matters. Under-declaring miles may affect a claim, while accurately declared low mileage on a commuter or weekend motorbike usually prices lower than a default high estimate.
Consider The Enhanced Rider Scheme
Some UK insurance providers recognise the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme (a post-CBT advanced training course) for a small premium reduction, although the saving varies by provider and rider age.
Compare TPFT Against Comprehensive
For a low-value used moped or 125cc, third party fire and theft and comprehensive sometimes price closer than expected. Quote both tiers before assuming TPO or TPFT is the lowest-cost route.
Pay Annually If You Can Afford It
Paying for the year upfront avoids the APR (the credit interest added when monthly instalments are arranged), which can quietly add a meaningful amount to a motorbike policy.
Saving Tip: Fitting a Thatcham-approved chain, ground anchor and disc lock, then declaring locked off-street storage where genuinely true, tends to be the single largest saving lever on a motorbike quote. Combine that with accurate mileage and the Enhanced Rider Scheme where recognised, and the panel spread can narrow meaningfully.
How To Compare Quotes
Comparing motorbike insurance from UK insurance providers takes only a few minutes. Get started above.
Share Your Details
Enter your motorbike, riding history, annual mileage and postcode. The form takes a few minutes and covers mopeds, scooters, 125cc, sports and touring bikes.
Declare Licence Status
Confirm your CBT certificate date if relevant, plus your AM, A1, A2 or full A licence stage and any L-plate status on the bike.
Compare Cover Levels
Check third party only, third party fire and theft and comprehensive side by side, then read the helmet, leathers, accessories and theft clauses across the panel.
Weigh Add-Ons
Decide on helmet and leathers cover, motorcycle breakdown recovery, personal accident and legal expenses based on bike type, storage and how you use the motorbike.
Set Inception Date
Choose the date you want the policy to start. The provider issues your certificate and documents once payment is complete.
What Our Expert Says
Motorbike insurance covers a wider rider and machine profile than almost any other UK motor segment. A 16-year-old on a 50cc moped, a commuter on a 125cc scooter, a 30-year-old on a 600cc sports bike and a touring rider on a 1200cc adventure bike are all on the same panel form, but the providers that price each one keenly are often different (UK motorcycle insurance market data, as at March 2026).
A common pitfall is treating motorbike cover as a single category. Scooter specialists, sports bike specialists and touring or multi-bike specialists each have their own underwriting appetite, and a quote that prices well on one bike type may sit mid-pack on another. That is the spread the introducer model is built for, because a panel of providers handles the bike-type and licence-stage variety better than a single insurer ever could.
The other one is security and storage. Declaring locked off-street storage where it is genuinely true, fitting Thatcham-approved chain and ground anchor, and adding a disc lock, tends to move the rating more than most riders expect, particularly on 125cc, scooter and sports bike segments where theft profile is highest. Licence stage matters too, because A1, A2 and full A panels often look quite different even for the same rider on the same bike.
Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common Questions
Do I Need Insurance For Any Motorbike On UK Roads?
Yes. Any motorbike ridden on a UK road or other public place needs at least third party motor insurance under s.143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This applies to a 50cc moped, a 125cc commuter, a 600cc sports bike and a 1200cc tourer alike. A SORN-declared bike stored on private land may not need an active policy, although theft and fire cover usually still help.
What Licence Do I Need For A 125cc?
A 125cc rider typically needs a valid CBT certificate plus a provisional motorcycle licence and L plates front and rear, or a full A1 licence from age 17. The CBT lasts 2 years, after which a rider either passes the A1 practical test or retakes the CBT to keep riding on a provisional. See the 125cc insurance page for the full picture.
Does My CBT Cover Me On Motorways?
No. CBT and provisional riders may not use motorways and may not carry a pillion passenger, regardless of bike size. Both restrictions are part of the licence entitlement, and riding outside them may invalidate the insurance policy as well as breaching the licence rules. Motorway entitlement comes with a full A1, A2 or A licence.
How Are Motorbike Premiums Priced?
UK providers typically weigh bike type and value, rider age and licence stage, home postcode, overnight storage, security devices fitted, annual mileage, no-claims discount and cover tier. Motorbike rating engines lean heavily on theft profile and bike-type bands, so a sports-styled 125cc and a commuter scooter at the same engine size can price quite differently (UK motorcycle insurance market data, as at March 2026).
Does Security Really Matter?
Yes, often by a meaningful amount. A locked garage typically prices lowest, off-street parking sits in the middle, and on-street public parking often prices highest in theft-prone postcodes. Fitting a Thatcham-approved chain, ground anchor and disc lock may help further, and some providers require approved security as a policy condition in higher-risk postcodes.
Are Modifications Covered On A Motorbike Policy?
Only if they are declared and accepted by the provider. Aftermarket exhausts, performance parts, custom paint and non-standard wheels must be declared on the quote form. Undeclared modifications may invalidate cover at claim stage. Power restriction removal on a 125cc or A2-restricted bike is generally illegal and may also breach the licence entitlement, so the safer route is keeping the bike fully road-legal.
What About Hire And Reward Or Food Delivery?
Standard motorbike insurance doesn't cover hire and reward use, which includes food delivery, courier and parcel work. Riders using a bike for delivery typically need a specialist hire and reward policy, often arranged separately or as an add-on by providers that offer it. Doing paid delivery on a standard policy may invalidate cover entirely.
Can I Ride My UK Motorbike In Europe?
Most UK motorbike policies include third party cover for EU riding as a legal minimum, although comprehensive cover abroad varies by provider and may need to be requested or added. Check the policy wording, the number of days allowed per trip, and whether breakdown recovery extends overseas before riding into Europe.
What Happens When I Submit My Details?
Clean Green Cars introduces you to UK insurance providers and regulated brokers offering motorbike cover. After you complete the form you'll see quotes within minutes from providers on the panel, with cover, premium and add-on differences visible side by side. You then choose the policy that suits your needs and complete the purchase directly with that provider. Clean Green Cars is an Introducer Appointed Representative, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and is not the insurer.
Search & Compare Quotes From UK Motorbike Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Motorcycle Licence Categories And Ages - the official table of UK motorcycle and moped licence categories, ages and power limits.
- GOV.UK - Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) - what CBT covers, who needs it and how long the certificate lasts.
- GOV.UK - Book A Motorcycle Practical Test - DVSA service to book the A1, A2 or full A motorcycle practical test.
- Police.uk - Crime In Your Area - look up reported vehicle and motorcycle theft in your neighbourhood and postcode.
- ABI - Motor Insurance Guidance - independent guidance on how UK motor insurance, including motorcycle policies, is rated.
