Motorbike insurance

Some comprehensive motorbike insurance policies cover you to ride other motorcycles – normally on a third-party-only basis. Make sure you check your insurance policy before riding someone else’s motorbike though.

If you need to borrow a friend’s motorbike for a short while, temporary motorcycle insurance could be another solution. You can get comprehensive cover for as little as 1 hour up to 28 days.

Generally, yes you can. Most insurers should let you add another named rider to your policy. To add another rider, you need to provide the insurance company with some details about their riding history, such as claims and convictions.

Adding a rider to your policy could see your insurance costs go up. As the motorcycle is on the road for longer, there’s a greater risk of making a claim.

Some insurance companies let you transfer your car's no-claims bonus over to your motorbike policy, but many don't. If in doubt, check with your insurer before you commit to buying a policy.

You can only use your car's no-claims bonus on one vehicle at a time. So, if your no-claims bonus is currently on your car, you can’t use it on your motorbike.

Most insurance companies cover modifications that don’t affect performance under a standard policy.

If this is the case, your insurer should provide a list of modifications you don’t have to tell them about on their website. You must declare all other modifications to the insurer. This could make your insurance costs go up.

For more information, take a look at our guide on modified motorbike insurance.

If you don't make any claims on your insurance during the course of your policy then you begin to build up no-claims bonus. You can build this up if you have Comprehensive, Third Party, Fire and Theft or Third Party insurance.

You could lose your no-claims bonus if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured rider or driver. This is also the case if your bike is stolen, and you have to make a claim on your insurance.

Some insurers might ask you for proof of your no-claims bonus - you should be able to get this from your previous or current insurer. You should have the option to pay extra to protect or guarantee it. The terms of these extras can vary between insurers, so check your policy before buying.

Most insurers should include some form of cover with a comprehensive policy for at least 30 days in Europe. You must check with the insurer directly to confirm this.

Standard comprehensive policies tend to give you third-party cover in Europe, this covers other riders and their property, not your own.

For more information, take a look at our guide on touring Europe on a motorcycle.

Yes, a multi bike insurance policy can be cheaper than buying individual policies for different motorbikes. This cover can enable you to ride multiple motorbikes on a single policy.

If you have multiple motorbikes for different purposes it can be a useful and cost-effective option. For example, a 50cc motorbike for commuting and a 125cc motorbike for leisure.

Visit our multi-bike insurance page to find out more, and get a quote.

• Wear and tear: This can include scratches and rust that are caused by everyday use
• Negligence: One example could be leaving your keys in the motorbike unoccupied leading to theft
• Intentional damage: If you, or anyone else acting on your behalf damages the bike on purpose
• Riding under the influence: Riding your motorbike under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and you won't be covered
• Racing and track days: If you're planning on racing with your motorbike on a track, you'll need insurance from a specialist provider