Whether you’re a daily commuter, weekend warrior, or sunny Sunday rider, no one likes overpaying for bike insurance. The good news? There are loads of ways to reduce your premium and secure cheap motorbike insurance without skimping on cover.
1. Increase your voluntary excess
Your policy excess is what you pay out of pocket if you make a claim. It’s made up of two parts:
- Compulsory excess – Set by the insurer based on your risk profile, this is fixed and non negotiable.
- Voluntary excess – You choose this amount (typically between £50 and £1000 or more), and increasing it can lower your premium. Just make sure it’s an amount you could comfortably cover if something goes wrong.
Tweak the balance and you might just bring your premium down faster than your mates at a Sunday morning ride out.
2. Boost your bike's security
Insurers love a secure bike. The better protected it is, the lower the risk, and potentially, the lower your premium. Consider fitting GPS trackers (like Bike Trac), Alarms and immobilisers Sold Secure or Thatcham approved chains and locks. High tech gadgets can track your bike to within a few metres. If that’s out of budget, some heavy duty chains can do the trick too, and double as a decent arm workout.
Another great option is to install a security marking system like Datatag. These markings make it much harder for thieves to sell stolen bikes and easier for police to identify and recover them. Some insurers offer discounts for bikes fitted with approved systems.
Find out more about Datatag’s motorbike security systems here.
3. Protect your no claims discount (NCD)
Your No Claims Discount is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. The longer you go without claiming, the bigger the discount and the cheaper your insurance. You can even pay a little extra to protect it. That way, one small hiccup won’t ruin your spotless record.
4. Be realistic about your mileage
Don’t guess, be honest with how much you actually ride. If you’re only out on sunny weekends or do the occasional commute, you might fall into a lower mileage bracket, which could lead to a cheaper quote. Overestimating your mileage can bump up your premium unnecessarily, while an accurate figure helps insurers assess your risk more fairly.
5. Choose the right type of cover
Fully comprehensive doesn’t always mean more expensive, and third party isn’t always the bargain it seems. Try getting quotes for all levels of cover. Sometimes, comprehensive gives you more value for money with lower excess and better perks. Win win.
6. Add an experienced named rider
If you’re a newbie or a younger rider, adding someone with more experience and a clean record can help reduce the cost.
Just make sure you’re not bending the truth about who rides most, insurers aren’t daft and it could invalidate your policy.
7. Take an advanced riding course
8. Join a recognised club
Being part of an official motorbike club isn’t just about ride outs and banter, it can actually save you money. Some insurers offer discounts to riders who are members of recognised motorcycle clubs, owners’ groups, or rider associations. It shows you’re engaged in the biking community and likely to be a more responsible rider.
9. Consider monthly payments
On a tight budget? Paying monthly can be easier to manage. Just keep in mind you’ll usually pay a bit more overall, so double check the total cost before signing up.
Final thought
Finding cheap motorbike insurance isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about playing it smart. A few clever tweaks and good habits can save you money without compromising your cover.
Ready to see how much you could save?
