Classic Bike Insurance

It can vary from insurer to insurer but generally your motorcycle will be considered a classic bike after 20 years; some underwriters will consider it a classic bike insurance policy for a bike that is 15 years old but others go as high as 25 or 30 years.

Although age is an important consideration, it must also be pointed out that a classic motorcycle doesn’t simply mean an old model. To be worthy of classic status, the bike needs to have demonstrated over a reasonable amount of time that it can stand on its own among the countless types of motorbikes that have and are being produced.

In terms of construction, a classic motorcycle should feature simple aesthetics and elements that can be easily traced back to the origins of these machines. Classic motorbikes might have an incredibly long history, but it’s characteristics such as air-cooled, two-cylinder engines, single headlights and double supports on the rear wheel that are the more typical hallmarks of classic models.

Appearance is another important element. Classics tend to have the simple lines and looks that are found on many post-World War II motorcycles.

More than anything else, classic motorbikes are those that have achieved a cult or iconic status. They stand out from the crowd because of their design quality and popularity with riders due to their excellent construction and performance.

Classic models are revered by enthusiasts as they are seen to have been fantastic machines in their heyday.

Restoring and maintaining a classic motorbike is a passion for enthusiasts rather than just a hobby. Not only can you get hours of joy in working on your machine, but you can also go up and down the country for riding events to show off the fruits of your labour. Additionally, the value of classic motorbikes holds up well, so the time and money you spend on them can be considered an investment rather than an expense.

Devitt can offer the right type of classic motorcycle insurance for your classic bike as well as provide you with that extra peace of mind with our additional products.

You’ve spent hours restoring your pride and joy, but sometimes accidents can happen – that’s why we provide you with a range of additional products that can top-up your cover, like; RAC breakdown to help you get back on the road in the event of a breakdown, Personal Accident cover including helmet and leathers, as well as Legal Expenses cover.

Classic bikes can come in various styles by various manufacturers. Check out our list below:

• Triumph T120 Bonneville
• Triumph Tiger Cub
• Harley-Davidson WL 1950
• BSA A10 Gold Flash
• Yamaha XT500
• Royal Enfield Crusader
• Norton Commando
• Norton Commando MK3 Roadster
• Suzuki SP370

Older motorcycles do tend to be cheaper to insure. Classic policies may be cheaper than a standard motorcycle insurance policy, as you usually have a lower mileage and most likely wouldn’t use it as much standard for everyday use. This makes them seem lower risk to an insurer. A bike that is a few years older may be cheaper to insure than a brand new bike, as value tends to depreciate and they can become less attractive to thieves. However, how much a policy costs for any bike does depend on a number of different factors of the rider and the vehicle.

Getting a quote couldn’t be easier, especially with Devitt dealing with motorbike insurance since 1936 – we sure know our stuff! You’ll just need a few bits of information to hand, including:

• Details of your bike
• Your annual mileage
• Your current No Claims Discount
• Any convictions or accidents
• Your occupation
• Your location

Although as a general rule, older bikes tend to be cheaper to insure than newer ones, this is because of the reduced value of such older motorcycles, which would mean the insurer not having to pay out as much to effectively replace it.

Motorcycles that are considered classic, though, are in a separate category altogether.

However, classic motorbike insurance can still often be cheaper than standard insurance, because classic bikes represent a lower risk, statistically speaking, to insurers. They are normally owned by older and more experienced riders, for example, and don’t tend to travel as many miles as non-classic bikes. These factors can all help drive down the risk, which can translate into cheaper cover.

This is a great question to ask, as even motorcycle enthusiasts can disagree on what exactly constitutes a “classic”, and it’s much the same for insurance providers.

Motorcycle enthusiasts often debate the definition of a classic motorcycle. Some focus on the age of the bike, while others look at the style of the motorbike itself. Still, purists consider the bike’s place in history as an important consideration.

Taking into account the many different opinions as to what exactly constitutes a classic motorcycle, it seems that age, appearance, status of the motorcycle and its construction are all important factors in determining whether the model can be deemed a vintage.

Whatever the age of your classic bike, we can provide agreed value insurance for your classic bike to make sure it’s properly insured.

As stated above, we provide access to a range of deals from various insurers here at Devitt. So, some of the insurers that we represent might consider a motorbike to be “classic” once it reaches 15 years old, whereas for others, the threshold might be 20 years or 25 years.

Adding further to the complexity, some motorbike insurers even offer “future classic” policies, which are designed to cover bikes expected to become classics in the years to come.

Such diversity in the market for classic motorbike and moped insurance is one reason why you might choose to turn to Devitt for your next motorcycle insurance policy, instead of approaching insurers individually.

After all, the latter approach could make for a time-consuming process. Seek out such cover with us, though, and we can quickly whittle down your options in line with your specific requirements, so that you can find the most suitable policy just as fast.

Below are typical types of classic motorcycle insurance that we can make available for you at Devitt:

• Third-party-only cover, which is the minimum legally required level of insurance for a motorbike; it covers the rider for claims against them when they are found to be at fault
• Third-party fire and theft cover, which covers for third-party claims, as well as situations where the policyholder’s bike sustains damage due to fire or theft
• Comprehensive cover, which not only protects against the aforementioned third-party claims and fire and theft, but also represents the most comprehensive form of insurance for a motorcycle, paying for the repair or replacement of the insured bike if it is involved in an accident.

As we mentioned above, there can be a particular complexity to classic motorcycle and moped cover. This can include some owners seeking out certain popular extra elements of coverage.

These extra elements of protection could include events cover if they wish to take their bike to rallies or trade shows, and/or international cover for taking their bike abroad. Modifications cover is also often sought-after by owners of classic motorbikes, given the tendency for such bikes to be frequently modified.

Whatever questions or concerns you might have in relation to insurance for your classic motorcycle or moped, there really is no need to look further than Devitt for the right policy for you.

You can get a quick online quote, or contact one of our friendly insurance advisors on 0345 872 3614 for a quote over the phone.