Motorbike Insurance during UK Lockdown

With the news that we can now use our vehicles to travel to ‘outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance’ (as long as we obey social distancing rules upon our arrival), we are seeing more motorcycles back on our roads already.

Riding a motorbike is a great mode of transport and hopefully this difficult situation will result in more people realising the benefits of riding; using motorcycles for leisure, commuting and volunteering.

We are receiving many enquiries from riders about the effect that the current situation with Covid-19 is having on their motorbike insurance, so we have put together information to help you understand any insurance implications during lockdown and as it eases over the coming months, including additional cover available during this time.

It’s important to remember that if you are using any of the following levels of additional cover, then it will come to an end at some point towards the end of lockdown, so you must keep an eye out and liaise with your broker or insurer.

You are automatically covered if you use your motorbike to commute during this time

Brought in by the ABI (Association of British Insurers) with the agreement from UK underwriters, you can currently use your bike to commute without informing your broker / insurer or paying an additional premium to cover your commuting.

Key workers have another layer of cover included, as they can commute to different places of work instead of just one single place of work. Check to see if you qualify for this in the Government’s critical sectors.

This is a temporary measure to help with the Covid-19 situation and can be used whilst there is still risk of infection; to help with social distancing and avoid use of public transport.

If you are new to commuting on your bike, remember the roads could be busier with less public transport being used, plus it’s important that you still practice the same, if not more robust methods of securing your motorbike whilst as work as you do at home.

An increase in bike theft due to more commuting into cities without the appropriate security devices being used wouldn’t be helpful for future premiums.

You should be aware that restricted mileage can be affected by this. For example, if you are insured to cover 5,000 miles per year but commuting means that you cover 8,000 miles a year, you should discuss this change in your mileage with your broker / insurer.

You are automatically covered if you use your motorbike for volunteering during this time

This is another temporary measure to help road users to help more vulnerable members of society during lockdown, riders can use their motorbikes for all volunteering without needing to inform their broker / insurer.

Many questions have arisen about fast food delivery on this one and this cover has not been put in place for this fast food delivery. If part of your volunteering involves delivering food to someone in need then this would be acceptable but it cannot be used to cover for paid or regular delivery from fast food restaurants and outlets.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties then get in touch with your broker or insurer

You still need your bike insurance to cover you for theft, fire and malicious damage, even if you’re not using your bike, so cancelling your policy altogether isn’t necessarily the correct decision. If you cancel your bike insurance part way through the year, you will lose that year’s no claim bonus too.

Many brokers and insurers are doing as much as they can to help people that are being affected by the Covid-19 lockdown measures.

If you have a policy with Devitt and you are struggling financially then please get in touch with us and we will try to find a way to help.

Will a lack of MOT on a motorbike invalidate your bike insurance?

Motorbikes that needed an MOT from 30 March 2020  are temporarily exempt as instructed by the Government, therefore your bike insurance will not currently be affected by no MOT. It is however, important to maintain your motorbike so it is safe to use and then get your MOT done when you can.

If you have any other questions about your motorbike insurance during the Covid-19 crisis, then please pick up the phone to us on 0345 872 3614.