When it comes to motorcycle insurance, there are three different types of coverage to choose from - third party, third party, fire and theft, as well as fully comprehensive.

Insurance is a legal requirement if you intend to ride your motorbike on UK roads, as well as providing you peace of mind subject to the level of coverage chosen.

In this article we are going to be running down everything regarding comprehensive motorcycle insurance, including what it is, why people choose it, and the benefits it has.

So without further ado, let’s get into it, shall we?

Comprehensive motorbike insurance is the highest standard level of coverage you can get for your motor vehicle, providing coverage for the full cost of repairing damage to your bike following an accident (regardless of who is at fault), damage to third party vehicles, fire or flood damage to your bike, theft of your bike, and injury to other people - subject to any excess.

Different aspects of Comprehensive cover work in different ways. For example, should you need to claim against your own policy for damage caused to your bike by you, then you will be required to pay your policy excess - this will be listed in your policy schedule 

One of the main reasons for the excess is that it creates financial interest in your bike and encourages careful riding.

Examples of comprehensive motorcycle claims include:

• Someone dropping their bike while taking it off the stand
• Someone crashing their bike in a single-vehicle incident
• Bike being vandalised

As mentioned above, Comprehensive insurance will cover the full cost repairing damage to your bike following an accident (regardless of who is at fault), damage to third party vehicles, fire or flood damage to your bike, theft of your bike, and injury to other people - subject to any excess.

Fully comprehensive insurance doesn’t cover:

• Theft due to carelessness (for example required security requirements not met)
• Any damage or injury whilst driving under the influence of drink or drugs
• Driving with an invalid licence
• General wear & tear
• Someone uninsured riding your bike

However, we here at Lexham can offer these add-ons at a fee each year, allowing you to protect yourself as much as you wish to - putting your mind at ease in the event anything happens to you or your bike:

• Breakdowns
• Personal Accident
• Excess Protection
• Helmets and Leathers

Third-Party Only insurance is the minimum legal requirement for using a vehicle on the road and covers any damage you may cause to a person or property. Comprehensive cover will also include this but will also enable you to claim from your own policy for you own bike damage if you have an accident or if your vehicle is damaged is a fire or stolen.

Yes, among other factors, typically an enhanced level of cover will attract a higher premium.

As we have mentioned previously, the level of coverage you choose is entirely up to the personal opinion and needs of an individual.

Some people would argue that they prefer to have as much coverage as possible for both them and their motorcycle, however for someone who doesn’t ride their motorcycle every day of the year but instead perhaps once a month, then it is worth considering how much protection you really do need. 

Before deciding on which level of insurance coverage you intend to go for, it is well worth doing your research beforehand and making an informed decision.

Pillion cover is not typically covered as standard on comprehensive motorcycle policies. However, if you will be carrying a pillion there will be an option for you to click when filling out the quotation form.

It is worth noting that typically pillion cover will incur an extra charge, so it is always worth checking with each insurer individually.

Multi-rider cover is not typically covered as standard on comprehensive motorcycle policies, however, can be added for an additional premium if the insurer accepts the risk.

We here at Lexham are unable to provide you with one-day insurance, however, this may be available with other insurers so it is always worth shopping around and seeing what you can get.

The type of insurance coverage you will need will depend entirely on your needs as well as how you plan to ride, as well as how frequently you plan to ride. If you are looking to explore other insurance options for your bike, make sure to check out our ‘what type of motorcycle insurance should I get’ guide.

Last but not least, we here at Lexham have been working in motor insurance for over 20 years, so if you’re looking for a fully comprehensive motorcycle insurance quote - make sure to get it direct with Lexham!