Motorbike Insurance London

London motorbike insurance: why is it so expensive?

There are two main reasons why motorbike insurance in London is so expensive.

1 – Thefts. London has the highest rate of motorcycle theft in the country. This affects insured risk, and consequently your premium. Risk will vary according to which London borough the bike is kept. Tower Hamlets recorded the most thefts (854 in 2017), whilst Harrow recorded only 112 in the same year, according to statistics provided by the Metropolitan police. The theft risk in the London borough you live in will therefore affect your premium, possibly quite significantly.

2 – Accidents. London experiences the greatest amount of road traffic accidents in the UK, with 25,338 reported accidents during 2019. Westminster was worst off with 1,521 all vehicle accidents, Lambeth 1,191 and Tower Hamlets at 1,131 (source: DfT Stats19).

This double whammy of a higher likelihood of theft, and increased risk of an accident, greatly affect two of the foundational pillars used when calculating risk. It is therefore safe to say that if you own a motorcycle in London, your insurance is likely to be relatively high.

How could I get cheaper motorbike insurance in London?

The same factors apply in reducing your motorbike insurance premium no matter where in the UK you live. You can’t change the accident or theft statistics in your area of, but you can make some changes which could have an effect on your London bike insurance quote:

Add extra security

Fit an approved alarm system, plus additional physical security theft deterrents such as chains, disc locks etc. Check to see if the security you are considering is approved/recognised by your insurer, and if a dicount might be applied when used.

Consider applying a higher voluntary excess

Adding a larger excess will mean you have to contribute more in the event of a claim, but can reduce your quote. Play around with voluntary excesses when you get a quote to see the difference this makes, and the level you're comfortable with.

Pay for your insurance annually if you can

Paying up-front for your London bike insurance usually works out cheaper than spreading the cost over 12 monthly payments.

Try to ride a bike in a lower insurance group

High powered, sportier or more expensive bikes tend to be in higher insurance groups.

A huge advantage of riding a motorbike in London is the ability to make progress through traffic, and this ability isn't much affected by power or sporting prowess. A Panigale isn't going to be any quicker from A to B in London than an NMax scooter for example. Unless you're a massive poser then it could make sense to ride a smaller machine – and if you choose the right bike, might even be more fun.

Get trained up

Courses provided by the IAM, Bikesafe or RoSPA can qualify riders for insurance discounts, which may result in cheaper London bike insurance.

Garage the bike if you can

Garaging your bike can make a massive difference to your insurance premium, but always check with your broker that your "garage" is acceptable for insurance purposes (for example secure underground parking in a block of flats).

Of course, the above factors are not always immediately within your control when looking for a London bike insurance quote or renewal. You’ve probably already got the bike. You live where you live, have an unalterable riding history, probably already have a realistic amount of security, and most definitely don’t have a garage. Training takes time, and you need to insure your London bike NOW!

Fortunately, help is at hand. Using the comparison service via Biker Insure, you could stand a better chance of fighting the London insurance headwinds using the power of comparison.

There are scores of motorbike insurance companies out there that want your business, and are willing to do battle on price in order to get it. Insuring your motorbike in the capital might be pricey, but by comparing 25+ providers of London motorbike insurance, you'll be provided with quotes based on your individual circumstances, ranked from cheapest to most expensive. Simply choose the policy that works best for you.

Will I get cheaper motorbike insurance if I use a London based broker?

The short answer is probably not. There is no reason why a local London broker should have access to cheaper insurance. All brokers sell insurance based on policies that are underwritten by a relatively small selection of nationwide motorbike insurance underwriters.

A London based motorbike insurance broker could argue they know the local risks and local bike insurance market and therefore be able to get you a better deal, but the economic reality is that a national broker coukd stand a better chance of securing better prices with the underwriter, based on the volume of policies they are selling, and the slimmer margins they might be able to operate with.

That's not to say that it's not worth trying - if you can find a London motorbike insurer, it could be worth getting a quote.

But for a faster and more convenient way to get multiple quotes from UK brokers, comparing can be a great way to discover the right broker for you.

Because filling in just one form aggregates quotes from multiple brokers, your chances of cheaper London motorbike insurance (when based on your individual circumstances) can improve.

Why not get a London motorbike insurance quote today and see if you could save money:

London motorbike insurance FAQ

Who does the cheapest motobike insurance in London?

The cost of insuring a motorcycle in London is dependent on your individual circumstances and the bike you ride. Because these are different for every rider, no single broker can be said to provide the cheapest quotes.

When you compare, you'll get a list of quotes from brokers able to provide insurance based on your personal information, the bike you ride and where you live in London.

This is a bespoke quote for the details you provide, and limited to the number of brokers on panel able to provide a quote. The results will be ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

Who does the best motorbike insurance in London?

Best is a very subjective term, and based on a riders individual needs & wants. When you compare London motorbike insurance quotes, you'll be able to see the best prices offered from brokers based on your individual requirements - ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

You'll also be able to see at a glance what policy extras are included in the quote, or can be added on at extra cost - allowing you to decide which is the best policy for you.

Always check policy documents to be sure you're getting the cover you need.