Motorbike Insurance in Northern Ireland

In essence, motorbike insurance in Northern Ireland works in much the same way as it does for cars. The minimum type of motorbike insurance is “third party”. This covers liability for injuries to other people, including passengers, damage to other people's property and accidents that your passenger may cause.

The next level of motor bike insurance available in Northern Ireland is “third party, fire and theft”. This provides the above cover, plus protection against fire or theft of the bike.
Comprehensive motorbike insurance in northern Ireland provides cover for the above, plus accidental damage to your motorbike or scooter, personal accident benefit, medical expenses and loss of or damage to personal effects, for example theft of a helmet held in a top-box.
Bikers in Northern Ireland often grumble about rising motorbike insurance costs, but with the soaring costs of litigation and health costs, combined with the high volumes of claims, do not expect motorbike insurance costs in Northern Ireland to come down any time soon!


The following factors will have an impact on the cost of your motorbike insurance:

  • Location. You are deemed to be higher risk if you live in a city or urban area - especially if you park your bike in the street
  • Age and experience. Newly-qualified riders, especially under 25s, are more likely to have accidents than older, more experienced onesClaims history. The less you claim, the less you pay. The best no claims histories are for three years or more
  • Excess. The more money you’re willing to pay out as excess, the lower your premium. The average excess is £200, but it can be higher.
  • Size of bike. Perhaps even more than cars, the size of a bike relative to a rider’s age, can make a huge difference.
  • If you are shopping around for motorbike insurance in northern Ireland, you can expect to be asked the following details:
  • Bike make, model and ccs (engine size)
  • Registration number
  • Full postcode
  • Number of years you’ve had your no-claims discount
  • Where the bike is normally kept - street, garage, etc
  • Details of other riders - name, date of birth, licence type, residency in UK and occupation. This information is far less likely to be required than with car insurance
  • What the bike will be used for – social, domestic or business. In the latter case, be prepared for some very hefty premiums. Insurers assume that “business use” is courier-related
  • Estimated annual mileage. This can be very useful in cutting premiums, with 5,000 miles or less being up to one-third cheaper
  • The type of cover - comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only
  • Full details of claims and convictions from the last three years