Looking to cover your modified or imported motorbike? Here's our analysis of the specialised motorbike insurance on offer through MotorCycle Direct, which can also offer multi-bike policies.
Do you enjoy touring Europe on your motorbike? MotorCycle Direct offers the standard levels of motorbike cover and says it includes three, 30-day European trips a year with no extra charge. It also claims to cover the 16 most common modifications as standard and up to five riders on one policy. We’ve checked out this insurance broker and here’s what else you should know.
Since 1997, MotorCycle Direct has been sourcing specialist motorbike insurance for riders and a range of bikes such modified, imported or classic bikes.
The insurance broker can also source policies based on the motorbike manufacturer and model type, from a Honda to a Harley.
MotorCycle Direct works with a limited panel of insurers to source motorbike insurance. These include Zenith, Ageas, AXA, Aviva, Highway (Part of LV=), Canopius and Markerstudy.
MotorCycle Direct is a trading style of Europe Group Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
What are MotorCycle Direct’s levels of cover?
MotorCycle Direct offers the three standard types of motorbike cover but these policies can be customised to suit you.
The legal minimum level of cover required in the UK, third party protects you if your motorbike is involved in an accident and ends up damaging another vehicle (and it covers any injuries to someone else). What it won’t cover is the costs related to repairing your bike or medical bills relating to personal injuries.
Third party, fire and theft
You’ll get protection if you’re in an accident that damages or injures a third party and their property, and you’ll have cover if your bike is destroyed by fire or even stolen. Be aware that although this provides slightly more cover, you still won’t have any protection for damage to your bike or personal injuries after an accident.
Comprehensive
You’ll get the most cover with this. It provides the same protection as third party fire and theft but it will cover your bike if it’s damaged after an accident, provide money for a new bike if yours is declared a write off and cover you for any personal injuries. It’s always worth checking the cost of comprehensive as it can be cheaper than TP or TPFT.
What types of motorbike insurance are available?
MotorCycle Direct offers specialist cover, including:
Multi-bike insurance
SORN cover (a Statutory Off Road Notification is your declaration to the DVLA that you aren’t using your bike)
Young rider insurance
MotorCycle Direct also courses cover for a range of different bikes, such as:
Modified bike insurance
Classic bike insurance
Scooter insurance
Moped insurance
Trail bike insurance
Sports tourer insurance
Superbike insurance
Touring bike insurance
What is covered under my motorbike policy with MotorCycle Direct?
Cover benefits
Third party
Third party, fire and theft
Comprehensive
Liability to other people
✓
✓
✓
Fire and theft
✓
✓
Accidental damage
✓
90 days EU cover (maximum of 30 days per trip)
✓
✓
16 standard modifications cover
✓
✓
✓
Beyond the standard cover benefits above, any other benefits to your insurance policy will vary depending on the insurer that is able to provide the cover through MotorCycle Direct.
Check your policy details carefully to ensure you have the right cover for your needs.
Optional extras
MotorCycle Direct offers a range of optional extras to provide increased protection in certain areas. Some of the additional cover options to bolt onto a MotorCycle Direct policy are:
Legal expenses cover
UK breakdown cover
UK and Europe breakdown cover
Bike hire plus
Personal accident cover
Key cover
Helmet and leathers cover
Excess protection
General exclusions
Any motorbike cover offered by MotorCycle Direct is likely to become invalid if any of the following arises:
You change the use of your motorbike from its original use. For example, changing from social, domestic and pleasure to business use.
Your motorbike is being used by an unnamed rider on your policy or by a person that does not have a valid motorcycle licence.
You are paid to carry pillion passengers.
You fail to pay for your premium.
You change your motorbike during the policy term to a motorbike that the insurer cannot cover.
You do not provide the correct documents to support your application.
Check your policy for further details to confirm your cover is valid.
How to save on your motorbike insurance policy through MotorCycle Direct
Increasing security. If your motorbike is not currently fitted with an alarm, think about adding one to reduce your premium.
Having a secure location to park your motorbike. Motorbikes kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
Reduce mileage. If you start working part-time or your long commute becomes much shorter, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage could result in cheaper insurance.
Fewer riders. Only add riders to your policy that regularly ride your motorbike.
Ride safely. Safer drivers spend less on motorbike insurance – a history of speeding tickets or claims against your insurance will increase the cost.
Larger excess. Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
What is my excess?
Your insurance excess is the amount of money you have agreed to pay towards a claim. Your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. A compulsory excess amount might vary depending on the age of your motorbike and your riding experience.
A voluntary excess is on top and is normally set by you when taking out a policy. You’ll have the option of adding or increasing a voluntary excess – which should lower your premium.
You’ll find details about any compulsory or voluntary excesses in your policy document.
What is the claims process for MotorCycle Direct?
You can call MotorCycle Direct on 0344 800 09888 to register a claim. This 24-hour claims line is open 7 days a week.
Along with your policy and personal details, MotorCycle Direct recommends you have the following information to hand before calling:
The location, date and time of the incident
Names and contact details for all third parties and passengers involved
Registration numbers for all vehicles involved
Details about the damage to your motorbike and any other vehicles or property involved
Details about any pillion passengers
Names and contact details of any witnesses, if available
Police information/crime reference number, if applicable
Any photographic evidence, if available
It’s vital that you let your insurer know about an incident within 24 hours, even if it’s not your fault. Failure to do this could result in a rejected claim later on.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If you wish, cover can start instantly.
Yes, MotorCycle Direct offers policies that can be paid in full or by monthly direct debit payments.
Your EU cover is automatically active when you take out the policy so you won’t need to do anything further. You are covered for trips of up to a month, with a maximum of 90 days in total throughout the duration of your policy term.
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Liz Edwards has been a consumer writer and editor for more than 20 years. She led award-winning teams at the campaigning publisher Which?, and has covered a range of consumer rights and personal finance topics including pensions, credit, banking and insurance. Liz has appeared frequently in national media such as The Sun, Metro, HuffPost and The Independent. She loves to cut through waffle to give consumers the real lowdown. And she loves puns. See full bio
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