A Practical Guide to Motorcycle Insurance
It will come as no great shock to learn that motorcycle insurance cannot improve your riding ability; but it can improve your enjoyment.
Although no one likes to purchase insurance - cheap insurance is often not worth the anxiety that accompanies it. Finding that custom paint work or cherised modifications are not covered and high excesses are applied in the event of a claim are all too common.
What follows is a brief yet practical guide to motorcycle insurance.
motorcycle insurance
Having purchased motorcycle insurance and in the unfortunate event of an accident (possibly damaging yourself, your motorcycle and others), then your insurance begins to work.
You will not have to foot a hefty bill for injuries to others (third parties) and / or damage to their property and if you have fully comprehensive cover then repairs to your bike will be paid for as well. All you have to pay is any insurance excesses that apply.
The price you pay (the insurance premium), for your motorcycle insurance is calculated by considering just about every question we ask you - so unfortunately tedious as they are, these questions are important.
To summarise, boring as it seems, motorcycle insurance is there to offer both financial protection and peace of mind.
motorcycle insurance / the law
Your certificate of motorcycle insurance is a legal document required by law and provides proof that your motorcycle is insured in accordance with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act. Pheew!
Do do I need insurance? If you ride or intend to ride your motorcycle on a public highway, then in short - yes.
It is a legal requirement and no matter how proficient your motorcycle skills, you may be involved in a road traffic accident that is not your fault. You would (quite rightly), expect to be reimbursed for any costs or loss as a result of this accident; but without insurance would the third party be able to foot the bill?
victims of uninsured riders
Even though it is a legal requirement to have adequate motorcycle insurance cover (before riding on a public highway), there will always be those who flaunt the law.
In 1946 the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) was created to compensate the victims of negligent uninsured and untraced motorists. Every motorcycle insurer is obliged (by virtue of the Road Traffic Act 1988), to be a member of MIB and to contribute to its funding.
In 2001 the Motor Insurance Database (MID), was created by the insurance industry to help combat this type of crime and is administered by the Motor Insurers' Information Centre (MIIC). The police access this database over 3.8 million times a month (to perform spot checks and at accident scenes), to determine if motorists have current insurance.
Following an accident caused by an uninsured or untraced motorist the MIB can be approached for companesation. However, they should be considered as 'a fund of last resort'.
second hand motorcycles
Whether you buy from a motorcycle dealer or a private seller always check the following …
- whether the bike has been modified (including the exhaust)
- for rust, cracks, scratches, accident damage, dents & repair work
- that the bike frame and engine numbers match - look in the motorcycle logbook
- the condition of the chain and that the rear sprocket isn't damaged
- the mileage is consistent with the bike's age, condition and documentation
If you're happy with these pre-flight checks then …
- check that the engine starts properly and no smoke is emitted
- the clutch doesn't slip
- there are no leaks of any kind under the bike *
* chain oiling systems may drip oil under the chain NOT under the engine - these systems should not also oil the wheels and tyres!
Test ride the motorcycle and check …
- suspension
- exhaust
- gears
- brakes
- electrics - all of them!
It is your responsiblity to ensure you have sufficient motorcycle insurance before test riding a bike. Dealers should have adequate insurance cover already in place; but may require you to be accompanied. Always check as it is an offence to ride on the public highways without motorcycle insurance.
Some notable advantages to buying through a motorcycle dealer are …
- they ensure the motorcycle is not stolen and has no outstanding finance
- they are required to adhere to the appropriate consumer protection laws
- they often offer a service package or warranty
A wee note ../about.htm modifications …
If you accept a motorcycle insurance quote without disclosing modifications you could find that the insurer invalidates any claim or the insurance in total. At best they will replace parts that are 'factory standard' (ie. as would have been found on the bike when it left the factory).
The most common bike modification is to replace the exhaust with one that sounds better, makes the bike go faster or simply because the old one broke. Whatever the reason you must be sure that the pipe is road legal (it should be stamped). If you don't the bike could well fail its M.O.T.