Anyone who’s spent a Saturday morning hunched over a phone, chasing motorbike insurance quotes, already knows the drill: type your details, wait for the screen to refresh, and hope the number isn’t terrifying. The reality is that the cheapest quote on the panel — often third-party only — can leave riders exposed when they need cover most. This article cuts through the premium listings to show what each pound actually buys, from comprehensive coverage through to classic bike policies, and why the lowest number isn’t always the smartest choice.

4 related posts

Providers on GoCompare: 48 · Providers on Moneysupermarket: 41 · Starting annual premium on Comparethemarket: £524 · Cover types offered: Comprehensive, third-party, fire and theft

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • New riders should compare specialist policies, not just the cheapest option (MoneySuperMarket (young riders advice))
  • Classic bike owners may benefit from agreed value policies (Devitt (classic bike coverage options))

The table below shows key data points from major comparison sites and specialists.

Key facts at a glance: motorbike insurance comparison landscape in the UK
Metric Value Source
Number of providers on GoCompare 48 GoCompare (insurance comparison platform)
Starting annual premium on Comparethemarket £524 Compare the Market (UK comparison site)
Number of providers on Moneysupermarket 41 MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)
Cover types available Comprehensive, third-party, fire and theft Industry standard
Median comprehensive premium (GoCompare, Jan-Mar 2025) £222 GoCompare (vast:visibility data)
Median third-party fire and theft (GoCompare, Jan-Mar 2025) £421 GoCompare (vast:visibility data)
Median third-party only (GoCompare, Jan-Mar 2025) £493 GoCompare (vast:visibility data)
51% of Compare the Market customers quoted less than £552.57 Compare the Market (June 2025 data)
Typical annual price for 125cc bike (Comparethemarket) Less than £803 Compare the Market (UK comparison site)
Typical annual price for young rider (Comparethemarket) Less than £1,215 Compare the Market (UK comparison site)
Devitt specialist tenure Since 1936 Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)
Factors influencing premiums Age, bike value, engine power, licence type, riding history, no-claims bonus MoneySuperMarket (young rider guidance)

How Do I Compare Motorbike Insurance Quotes?

What information do I need?

  • Date of birth and full name
  • Motorcycle registration and estimated annual mileage
  • Where the bike is parked overnight (garage, driveway, street)
  • History of claims and no-claims bonus

Accurate details matter. Entering incorrect information can invalidate a policy later according to guidance from MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site). The system uses these inputs to calculate risk, and all mainstream comparison sites require them before generating quotes.

How do quotes differ between providers?

Four comparison sites, one pattern: no single platform covers every insurer. GoCompare says it compares quotes from 48 motorbike insurance providers (GoCompare (insurance comparison platform)), while Compare the Market lists 12 motorcycle insurance providers (Compare the Market (UK comparison site)). Each panel has exclusive partners, so checking two or three sites gives the broadest view.

  1. Gather your personal and vehicle details (date of birth, bike registration, mileage, parking location, claims history).
  2. Visit at least two comparison sites (e.g., Compare the Market, GoCompare, MoneySuperMarket) and enter your details.
  3. Compare the quotes side by side, noting the premium, cover type, and any optional extras.
  4. Check the insurer’s customer service ratings and claims process before choosing.
  5. Verify the policy details before purchasing.
The trade-off

More quotes means more data to compare — but the cheapest on one panel may be missing from another. A rider who checks only one site might miss a £50 saving from an insurer that only appears on a second platform.

The implication: a rider who checks two comparison sites instead of one increases their odds of finding the cheapest quote and the right cover.

The takeaway: Comparing motorbike insurance across multiple sites gives you access to more providers and potential savings. Focus on cover type, not just the lowest price.

What Is the Cheapest Motorbike Insurance?

“The cheapest motorbike insurance for young riders is often third party only,” says MoneySuperMarket. “This means you’re covered for damage you cause to others, but not for repairs to your own bike.”

What factors affect the price?

  • Age and experience of the rider – young riders face higher premiums (MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)).
  • Bike value, engine power, and licence type influence risk (MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)).
  • Where the bike is parked overnight – garaged bikes are cheaper to insure.
  • No-claims bonus reduces premium.

According to MoneySuperMarket, the cheapest motorbike insurance for young riders is often third party only (MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)). However, this leaves the rider unprotected for damage to their own bike.

Are there specific insurers for cheap cover?

Comparison sites list the cheapest quotes on their panel. GoCompare shows 48 providers, with median third-party only at £493 (Jan-Mar 2025) (GoCompare (vast:visibility data)). Compare the Market’s typical annual price for a 125cc bike is less than £803 (Compare the Market (UK comparison site)). Specialist brokers like MotorCycle Direct also offer competitive quotes (MotorCycle Direct (UK bike insurance broker)).

The catch: the cheapest quote may only offer third-party cover, which may not be adequate if your bike is stolen or damaged. Always check the cover type.

Upsides of cheap third-party only

  • Lower upfront premium
  • Meets legal minimum requirement

Downsides of cheap third-party only

  • No cover for theft or damage to your own bike
  • May leave you with high repair costs

Which Motorbike Insurance Companies Are Best?

How is ‘best’ measured?

Best is a combination of price, coverage, and customer service. MoneySuperMarket notes that factors like age, bike value, and riding history affect premiums (MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)). GoCompare’s median comprehensive premium was £222 (Jan-Mar 2025), indicating competitive pricing for full cover (GoCompare (vast:visibility data)). Customer service rankings are less transparent; the research notes indicate that this is unclear.

What are the top-rated providers?

Devitt has been a specialist since 1936 and offers Defaqto 5-star motorbike insurance (Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)). Bikesure provides individual online quotes (Bikesure (online bike insurance quotes)). However, the exact ranking of customer service across providers remains unclear.

What this means: choose a provider that balances affordable premiums with strong customer reviews and coverage suitable for your bike type.

What Is Classic Motorbike Insurance?

“Devitt has been a motorcycle insurance specialist since 1936 and offers agreed value policies for classic bikes,” according to the insurer.

How is it different from standard insurance?

Classic motorbike insurance often includes agreed value policies, meaning you and the insurer agree on the bike’s worth before a claim (Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)). Standard policies pay market value, which can be lower. Limited mileage options are typically available for classic bikes.

What bikes qualify as classic?

Criteria vary by insurer, but commonly bikes over 15–20 years old or those with historic vehicle status may qualify. Devitt specialises in classic bike coverage (Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)).

The implication: classic bike owners should seek insurers that offer agreed value to protect the full value of their machine.

How to Get Cheap Motorbike Insurance for New Riders?

Warning

Accurate details are critical. Entering incorrect information can invalidate your policy according to MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site).

What discounts are available?

  • Completing advanced training courses can reduce premiums.
  • Increasing voluntary excess lowers the cost.
  • Storing the bike in a garage or secure location.
  • Building a no-claims bonus over time.

MoneySuperMarket advises that young riders often pay more due to lack of experience (MoneySuperMarket (UK price comparison site)).

Which companies specialize in new riders?

Compare the Market’s data shows typical annual price for a young rider is less than £1,215 (Compare the Market (UK comparison site)). Specialist insurers like Devitt have been insuring motorcyclists since 1936 and may offer tailored policies for less experienced riders (Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)).

The pattern: new riders benefit from comparing quotes across multiple platforms and considering specialist insurers that understand their needs.

Related reading: Cheap Car Insurance Quotes – Compare Top Rates Online

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum legal cover for a motorbike in the UK?

All motorcyclists must have at least third-party insurance (GOV.UK (official government guidance)). This covers damage you cause to others but not your own bike.

Can I get motorbike insurance for a scooter?

Yes, scooters are treated as motorcycles for insurance purposes. The same minimum third-party requirement applies.

How does a no-claims bonus work?

A no-claims bonus reduces your premium after each claim-free year. GoCompare’s data shows that riders with a good bonus often secure lower quotes (GoCompare (insurance comparison platform)).

What documents do I need to get a quote?

You need your date of birth, motorcycle registration number, estimated annual mileage, parking location, and details of any claims or no-claims bonus.

Is it worth adding breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover can provide roadside assistance and recovery. It is an optional extra that may be worth adding if you rely on your bike daily.

What is the difference between market value and agreed value?

Market value is the bike’s current worth at the time of a claim. Agreed value is a fixed amount you and the insurer set in advance. Classic bike policies often use agreed value to avoid depreciation (Devitt (specialist insurer since 1936)).

Riders who take the time to compare coverage types and provider reputations are more likely to find a policy that genuinely protects them.