Newbie & Insurance Woes

[Aytoh1]

Hi all!

 

After far too long I'm finally getting my licence and becoming a rider. It's been 20 years in the making but I've passed my Mod1 and doing Mod2 next week. So excited to join the motorcycle community!

 

Unfortunately I'm gob smacked by the insurance quotes I'm getting for when I pass. I've tried every comparison and a lot of direct quotes but getting around £1.5k a year?!?! I've read first time riders getting £500 or under.

 

Headlines:

Nice area

Private property parking

Ground anchor

Respectable job

38 years old

1x dependant

Low mileage 

Ninja 400

20 years car licence 7 years NCB

 

Surely that all counts for something? Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

[Nick the wanderer]

Hi, welcome to the insurance nightmare.

Have you considered a smaller bike, just something to get a years NCB ? Bike insurance is separate from your car so you'll have to start from scratch.

Garaged helps..

[Nick the wanderer]

I take it you have a clean license?

[manxie49]

I agree with Nick, look at a smaller, low value bike to build up a bit of no claims.  I feel your pain.  My brother lives in Middlesex, he has 4yrs NCB and is still paying through the nose for insurance, he pretty much has all that you have plus an advanced qualification, none of it seems to make any difference whatsoever. Sadly, insurance companies have you by the bollox. 

[Aytoh1]

Thanks guys, yeah I have a clean licence. It's so annoying when I'm not an 18 year old 'lad' anymore!

 

I really thought being old and a parent would help with the safe rider vibes..... 

 

Incidentally just after doing my CBT in Jan I looked at insurance for exactly the same and cheapest was £680 with Wicked - now they won't even give me a price!

[Aytoh1]

SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST BUT IVE JUST ENTERED GARAGED AND ITS £270!!!!

 

Do you think a small lockable bike shed thing would class as a garage?

[Simon Davey]

28 minutes ago, Aytoh1 said:

SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST BUT IVE JUST ENTERED GARAGED AND ITS £270!!!!

 

Do you think a small lockable bike shed thing would class as a garage?

 

I would say say so, as it's off the street and out of site. 

 

[Aytoh1]

9 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

 

I would say say so, as it's off the street and out of site. 

 

 

That's all the confirmation I need!

[Nick the wanderer]

Depends on the insurer some state brick built concrete floor etc but there are options 

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, Aytoh1 said:

 

That's all the confirmation I need!

 

Don't blame me 

[JRH]

5 hours ago, Aytoh1 said:

SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST BUT IVE JUST ENTERED GARAGED AND ITS £270!!!!

 

Do you think a small lockable bike shed thing would class as a garage?

My insurance company defines garage in the policy and it must have a concrete base and be brick or concrete sections. You ned to check what your insurers require.

Edited June 8, 2024 by JRH

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

5 hours ago, Aytoh1 said:

SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE POST BUT IVE JUST ENTERED GARAGED AND ITS £270!!!!

 

Do you think a small lockable bike shed thing would class as a garage?

Sadly I doubt that would work. Insurers usually stipulate that a garage must be a brick built structure. In the past I've had to send photographs of the garage to prove that it's solid.

 

You are looking at fully comp policies I trust? Those are usually cheaper than TPF&T.

 

If you don't have a garage is there one locally you can rent? 

[Simon Davey]

Oops.... 

[bonio]

Congrats on your pass, and all the best for mod 2!

So sorry for your situation. It seems everything is against younger folk getting into biking.

Any chance you can rent a garage? Or keep the bike in a friend's or a relative's?

[Hoggs]

My insurers (bennetts) define garage as brick built, but maybe if you called one you might get some allowance as extra security or something? 

 

as a fun side story, my friend lived in Westminster in an apartment block that had a private underground car park with gated entrance, CCTV and 24 hr security and his insurance company said as other people had access to it they classed it as street parking and quoted him NINETEEN THOUSAND POUNDS for his bike (brand new Kwak Z1000) 

 

also good luck with mod2! remember your life savers and even if you think you've messed up keep going! often it's not as bad as you think!! 

Edited June 8, 2024 by Hoggs

[RideWithStyles]

Hi and congratulations.

shed is a shed, not garage which is brick, metal door(s) and a very structured roof.

if you keep searching for quotes the algorithm adjusts so it may have to add more.

if you go to direct to a insurance (ie bennets etc) or a local broker or the bikeinsurer you may get better luck.

some brokers can use the car insurance history as a leverage but at most will be 10% off, riding is total different aspect and risks to cars...

Having dependants can take a tiny bit off but more often they see it as paying out to them.

you could go down a different level/sub level of bike (i class a sportsbike 400- the one with full fairings, over the naked one a sub class) so does a naked bike similar reduce the premium alot? if so id just go that route to start with. the other is down to a 125/250/ old 300 but your gonna be paying out for them and losing some money there swapping out if you intend to stick to the 400 just afterwards? it really just depends on what your long term plan is.

 

driving /riding when new is always more expensive, worse case think your just gonna have to bite the bullet.

[Dombo]

Congratulations on the Mod 1 pass. I found that by far the harder test, having just done both in the last couple of weeks. As well as lifesavers, don’t forget to cancel indicators on Mod 2. Other than that, just treat it like a ride.

I have seen the same issue with insurance quotes, car licence for 40 years, garage the bike, looking at  Honda CB500. Cheapest quote is £500 and that’s with £1250 excess, so I’m thinking maybe get something small and cheap for a year to continue learning on and hopefully get some NCD.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Dombo