| As summer draws to a close, around 10,000 UK | | | | Third party is the cheapest form of insurance. |
| bikers start to think about laying up their motor bikes | | | | Younger riders will be charged higher premiums for |
| for the winter months. From the end of October | | | | their policies due to their inexperience and the |
| through until Easter, the thought of motor biking is | | | | increased risk of motor cycling. There is a |
| not so appealing and there is little point in taxing and | | | | frighteningly high accident rate and statistics tell us |
| insuring the bike. Bikes are winterised and stored | | | | they are much more likely to be involved in an |
| away at the back of the garage awaiting the better | | | | accident than more mature riders. Damage caused to |
| weather. Sadly, thieves are aware of this and so | | | | themselves is often costly and lifelong. |
| some 600 bikes are stolen every month. | | | | The more hours spent on the road, the higher the |
| Obviously if you have totally cancelled your policy | | | | risk and riders using their bikes to travel from one |
| you will be unable to claim for this theft. You can, | | | | location to another as far as their work is involved |
| however, reduce the cover to a minimum for fire | | | | will be likely to be charged higher premiums. Claims |
| and theft and this is worth considering. | | | | made in recent years for driving-related accidents will |
| If you're more used to insuring cars than motor | | | | have an adverse effect on your premium too. |
| bikes, you'll find some of the features of bike | | | | Other factors that will influence the premium will be |
| insurance very odd. For instance, it's not possible to | | | | the power and make of the bike. There are some |
| accumulate bonuses over time, as with a car. | | | | very expensive bikes around and obviously this will |
| Occasionally you may find an insurer who will give | | | | mean a higher premium will be charged. If you have |
| you some discount if you don't claim for a certain | | | | any penalties for speeding or dangerous driving your |
| period with the same insurer, but this is not the norm. | | | | premium will rise and if you were to be disqualified |
| There are various policies. Specified Bike Policy, | | | | for a length of time, insurance would be extremely |
| Specified Rider Policy, Comprehensive and Third Party | | | | expensive when your licence was re-instated. |
| Insurance. With a specified bike policy you are | | | | To try and get the cost of premiums down, consider |
| covering the bike and not the rider. This means you | | | | security devices such as immobilisers, alarms and |
| could insure a number of riders on the same bike. | | | | steering locks. It may also be possible to get |
| A specified rider policy covers the rider, but not the | | | | discounts for any training courses you have |
| bike. This means the rider is covered on any motor | | | | completed. |
| bike up to the size specified on the policy. | | | | Be completely honest with your insurance company. |
| Comprehensive and third party insurance are more | | | | Failure to disclose something which the company later |
| familiar terms. Comprehensive is the most expensive. | | | | discovers can invalidate your insurance. Not only |
| Apart from paying for repairs to the bike in the case | | | | would you not receive payment for any claim, but |
| of accidental damage, it may offer some extras such | | | | you could be prosecuted for driving without |
| as breakdown cover. In the event of a claim, you will | | | | insurance. An internet broker will be able to offer you |
| only pay the excess as stated on the policy. With | | | | plenty of advice when it comes to choosing an |
| third party you simply buy the minimum legal | | | | insurer. They'll find a choice of policies to suit your |
| insurance. This means you are covered for any | | | | circumstances and their experience will be invaluable. |
| property you may damage or people you might | | | | There are internet-only deals and discounts which |
| injure. You would not be reimbursed for your bike or | | | | they'll be able to offer too. |
| anything else and an excess would still be payable. | | | | Keep insured and safe. |