Choosing the right insurance type

The Road Traffic Act requires all motorists to be insured against their liability for injuries to others (including passengers) and for damage to other people's property resulting from use of a vehicle on a road. It is an offence to drive your motorbike or allow others to drive it without insurance.

The types of motorbike insurance

Third party only

This is the cheapest and legal minimum type of insurance cover. The 'third party' is any person you might injure or property you might damage. You aren't covered for injury to yourself or damage to your motorcycle.

If you damage a car the owner could claim against you. Or, if someone damaged your motorcycle you could claim against them.

This covers:

• Liability for injuries to other people, including passengers.
• Liability for damage to other people's property.

Third Party Fire and Theft

As previous plus:

Fire or Theft - If your car is not normally kept in a garage at night, theft cover may be excluded or subject to special conditions. There may be an "excess" - a part of the cost of the claim for which you are responsible - following an incident of theft. If you are selling your car make sure you receive proper payment before parting with it. Your insurance policy will not cover your loss if your car is taken from you by deception.

Comprehensive

As above and previous plus:

• Accidental damage to your own car. There may be an "excess" - part of the cost of the claim for which you are responsible.
• A personal accident benefit. Certain amounts are paid in the event of the death or specific permanent disablement of the policyholder...
• ...and sometimes his or her spouse or family member.
• Medical expenses necessarily incurred, up to a stated limit.
• Loss of or damage to personal effects in the car, up to a stated limit.

Pillion passenger insurance

Almost all available policies include cover for a pillion passenger.