Question: For those fortunate enough to own several bikes. Excluding multi bike policies. Do you have a bike (or bikes) that you only ride very occasionally and therefore cover very low annual mileage and perhaps only ride that particular bike on a handful of occasions during a year? In which case, do you have a specific insurance policy which covers you for perhaps just a month or two? I know you can get these, but when I've tried to go on the comparison sites and find one, comparison sites aren't really set up to look for that. Rather than contacting loads of individual companies, I wondered if you guys had already done the legwork on this one and what you advice might be? I'm thinking along the lines of doing less than 1000 miles (perhaps less than 500) per annum and using the bike for 4 ~ 6 months a year maximum. For those of you who remember them, I wish they'd bring back the old Norwich Union rider Policies.
I would suggest you contact your existing insurers first. If the 'occasional' bike is smaller and of less value than your main bike it may be very little to add a second bike. Generally insuring a bike separately for 4 - 6 months is going to cost more than 50% of the annual premium. If you are looking at a 'classic' bike then approaching a classic insurer could be worthwhile, while an annual policy they generally have a very low excess, restricted mileage and of course cover for the rest of the year when the bike is off the road.
Not really answering your question as I do have a multibike policy but I used to have 3 bikes, smallest was a 1986 Honda GB500tt and I restricted the mileage to about 2000 miles a year. Sold it last year and it made no difference to my annual renewal. I don't think you will get a decent deal nowadays like the old Norwich Union ones.
When the bikes are not being ridden are they insured against theft and fire under a homeowner's policy? If not, I would keep the comprehensive coverage on it all year. Also, how would vehicle registration work? In my state it would be very expensive to cancel and renew registration during the year. Without proof of insurance it could not stay registered. My annual comprehensive policy for a 2012 Tiger 1050 is only $200 USD. Is yours drastically more?
Hi Dan Zulu, The system in the UK is very different to the states, Firstly there is no cover for motor vehicles under a household or homeowners policy. The registration system is also different in the UK we have a registration document which is valid for long as one keeps the vehicle. If and when it is used on the road one has to have a vehicle excise license and have insurance cover on the vehicle. VED (Vehicle excise Duty) can be obtained for any length of time be it a month or a year so it is quite common for bikes in the UK to be licensed for the summer months and then laid up in the winter.
Keep the insurance in force or some companies will reduce cover to fire and theft only, but of course there is still a risk of accidental damage, (such as a rogue paint tin falling from a shelf!) even when the bike is not on the road. Generally if the bike is a classic bike then the premiums are quite modest and its best to keep it insured all year round.
I have a bike I didn’t ride at all last year. Just had to include it on a multi bike policy and take the £ hit. I didn’t Road tax it though , leaving it on a SORN .
I have the Triumph and Kawasaki on a joint policy but for some reason it was way more expensive to add the dirt bike than it was to insure it on it's own despite it being by far the least valuable. Insurance Co's work in mysterious ways, a bit like god but not as generous. It's also now compulsory to SORN a vehicle if it is not insured, even if it still has tax and is stored off road.
My brother has paid a deposit and has the registration number for a Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 for delivery in early March. Only a couple of insurance companies will quote him as the bike is a new model and is not on their list of bikes so must be an import, which it is not. He has not ridden for a few years due to family life but drives a car with full no claims bonus and is a class 1 HGV driver, his car company won't insure bikes. He is 62 yrs old and his best quote is over £1100 but it looks like he may have to accept it as there aren't any other options at the moment. He will try again closer to March when the bike is due to arrive.
Try Carole Nash. But in theory the bike comes from India. And if he is a first time rider it is going to higher at 62.
Thanks Joe. Carole Nash said they won't insure it until the bike has been available for 12 months. He has a full bike licence as well as the other classes, he last rode a Kawasaki z1000 which he still has in his garage, but he is aware he is classed as a new rider. He is more concerned that there are just 2 companies he can go to, just coz he is buying a new model.
I decided to opt for a multi bike policy for two of my bikes. My Tuono policy is due for renewal this month and I was (for once) happily suprised that the renewal quote was only £2 more than last year. I was going to insure my new (mystery Italian red) bike separately, but when I spoke to my current insurer (for the Tuono) Bennets, they also do multi bike policies and the quote they gave me for the two bikes on that basis was much cheaper than covering them separately. So that's what I've done. For now I've left my other bikes on individual policies.
Bennetts work out cheapest for me on a multi bike policy. My car insurance increased astronomically this year (pretty much doubled!) but insurance for two bikes went down by about £1 if I recall correctly. I have just added my Hyperstrada to the policy which was very reasonable at just over £50 extra, as opposed to much more if I were to insure it separately.
