Compare motorcycle insurance faster than you can put your leathers on

Cheap motorcycle insurers

The cost of motorcycle insurance varies between providers and your cost will depend on your personal circumstances, the below should be used as a guide only.

Providers	Annual Cost
	$701.09
	$936.60
	$792.79
	$1,293.45
	$1,803.11

• How we got these quotes

  *Quotes were sourced on the following profile:

  • 35 years old, 5+ years licensed
  • Male
  • No finance
  • Private use of motorcycle
  • Adjusted excess to $500 where possible
  • Motorcycle is parked in a locked garage
  • Exclude drivers under 25

  • No additional driver
  • Start date of policy 1 August 2024
  • No discounts, no memberships, no add-ons
  • Drives 4,000–8,000km per year
  • Located in Sydney NSW, 2000
  • 2021 Yamaha MT-09A MY20 Sports

  Your cost will differ depending on your circumstances. Some things that can affect the cost of your quote include your gender, the type of motorcycle you drive, the colour of the motorcycle, how long you have been driving and the amount of cover you need. Be sure to read the PDS to find cover that suits you.

Editor's pick - August 2024

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What we like about QBE motorcycle insurance:

• It offers a price-beat guarantee.*
• You can choose to insure your motorbike for agreed or market value. Some insurers only offer one or the other.
• It has competitively high coverage limits, for example, it includes cover for up to $4,000 for riding gear. Other insurers cover much less.

*T&Cs apply

• Info
• Pros & Cons
• Details

QBE's comprehensive motorcycle insurance covers a range of risks, from theft to accidental damages. Plus, your riding gear is covered.

• Thorough coverage is available at a competitive price, especially with the price-beat guarantee.
• A 10% discount can apply to your premium if you're part of a QBE approved motorcycle club.
• It offers comparatively high cover limits for key replacements at $1,500. Other insurers, like AAMI, don't include this at all.

• Personal items aren't covered.
• There is no option to include roadside assistance.
• Choice of repairer is not available.

Benefit	Value
Roadside assistance
Accidental Damage
Storm
New motorcycle replacement	Yes
Key replacement	$1,500
Trailer Cover	$750
Motorcycle apparel	$4,000
Choice of repairer

Finder survey: How often do Australians compare or switch their motorcycle insurance?

What are the main types of motorcycle insurance?

Compulsory third party (CTP)

CTP cover is a legal requirement – you must have it to register your motorcycle in Australia. It protects riders for personal injuries caused by your motorbike after an at-fault accident and compensates those who are injured.

It won't cover you for repair costs for your motorcycle or other peoples' vehicles or property.

Third party property

The most basic optional insurance. Third party cover offers a bit more peace of mind as it covers the cost of damages caused by your motorcycle to others' property. It'll also pay your legal costs if you get sued for any damages you've caused.

However, third party property won't cover costs for the repair or replacement of your own motorcycle.

Third party, fire and theft

In addition to the cover offered by third party property damage, it'll also cover any damages to your bike from fire or theft.

This type of cover doesn't include the cost of repairs to your bike if it's involved in a traffic accident.

Comprehensive

The highest level of cover available. Comprehensive insurance will cover most accidental damage, whether or not you're at-fault, plus natural disasters such as storms, floods, hail and even earthquakes. It also covers you for theft, vandalism, third party property damage and damage caused by uninsured drivers.

Comprehensive cover can replace your motorbike if it's written off within a set time period after being registered. It can also cover you for accidents if the rider of the bike isn't a nominated driver.

What does motorcycle insurance cover?

Here's what is typically covered by the 3 key types of motorcycle insurance:

We recently bought a new motorcycle and wanted to organise a comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy that was affordable yet offered through coverage. The most important factors to us were; ability to choose an agreed value, high cover limits for motorcycle apparel and affordability. We ended up going to QBE due to their price beat guarantee (they came in cheaper than others we got quotes for), allowed us to insure for an agreed value and had substantial cover for motorcycle apparel.

— Peta Taylor , publisher and bike owner

What else should I look for in a policy?

Here are some features that you can get with a motorcycle insurance policy:

Helmet and riding gear cover

Your riding leathers, helmet and other gear can be expensive. A lot of policies can cover theft or damage of helmets and riding gear.

Choice of repairer

If you have a preferred mechanic you want to use, you'll often need to pay a little extra for your own choice of repairer.

Agreed or market value.

If market value isn't a fair reflection of your bike's true worth, for example if you need insurance for a modified motorcycle, you might want to look for policies that offer agreed value as an option.

New replacement

If a relatively new motorcycle is written off following an insured event, you might be able to get a brand new equivalent replacement. There's usually a time limit of 2 years for this feature.

Keys and locks

This provides cover for the cost of re-keying or re-coding locks if your keys are stolen, often up to around $1,000.

How can I lower the cost of my motorcycle insurance?

To be eligible for lower premiums, you could:

• Secure your motorcycle. You'll often get lower premiums if you can keep your bike in a secure lock-up or a garage at night. Also, installing an alarm or immobiliser can also help.
• Pay premiums annually. Many insurers will charge less overall for premiums paid annually rather than month-to-month. Comparing motorcycle insurance quotes on a regular basis is also a good idea.
• Ride safely. Having fewer claims will mean you are in a better position for cheaper motorcycle insurance. Those with motorcycle qualifications may also be able to score savings.
• Look for discounts. You may be entitled to a range of savings, such as loyalty bonuses or discounts for buying your policy online, multi-policy discounts and more.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the cheapest comprehensive motorcycle insurance?

  We sourced quotes from 5 different providers and found QBE to be the cheapest. Remember, your driver profile may differ to the one we used and the best way to find a cheaper policy is to compare many options.

• Can I get vintage and classic motorcycle insurance?

  Yes, you can insure classic and vintage motorcycles. You might need a specialist vintage motorcycle policy that's tailored to how much you use the bike.

• Are motorcycles cheap to insure?

  It depends. As a young or inexperienced driver, you will have to pay more for your premiums. However, there are some ways to save. Choose a bike with a less powerful engine. Larger and more powerful engines are more expensive to insure.

  If you keep your bike in a garage and have good security measures in place, the insurer will typically charge you less. This is because it reduces the likelihood of your bike getting damaged. If you can, try to avoid accidents to build up a no-claim history.

• Will my motorcycle insurance cover punctures or wheel damage?

  Most policies won't cover puncture or wheel damage. But by taking out roadside assistance, you can get covered for towing and flat tyres.

• When will I have to pay an excess?

  You will usually have to pay an excess when you make a claim. While a standard excess applies, a range of other excesses may apply depending on your motorbike insurance policy and who is insured.

  There are 4 different types of excess that may be available:

  • Age – If a rider under 25 is riding your bike at the time of an incident.
  • Inexperienced – If a rider who has had their licence under 1 year is riding your bike at the time of the incident.
  • Standard – All claims unless specified otherwise.
  • Voluntary – If you choose voluntary excess reduction. This excess replaces the standard excess.

• Can I add other people on my motorcycle insurance policy?

  Yes, most insurers will allow you to add more riders to your policy. Keep in mind this can lead to a higher premium if they're less experienced on the road.

• I use my motorcycle for business purposes – can I get cover?

  Yes you can, but you'll need to let your insurer how your bike will be used before you can be approved for cover. The insurer will usually ask if you plan to use your bike for business during the application process.

• Does motorcycle insurance cover track days?

  Most providers will not cover you for track days; some will exclude cover for non-race activities like driver training or exhibition laps.

  A handful of providers will cover your motorcycle for track day use but the cover available varies greatly. Review our guide to track day insurance for your options.

• How does pillion cover work?

  Pillion cover is sometimes an optional add-on with motorbike insurance. It covers you if you carry passengers on the back of your motorbike. It insures your passengers for any injuries received while you ride.

• What's the best motorcycle insurance in NSW?

  It depends on what you're looking for. Finder research has found a Sydney-based rider may spend just $681.95 per year with QBE – a provider which offers a price-beat guarantee. When it comes to policy features, Youi was chosen by our experts as a standout choice as it offers 24/7 roadside assistance and very good riding gear coverage.

  Keep in mind, in reality, there's no best motorcycle insurance in NSW, as everyone's preferences and circumstances are different.

• What additional cover options are available for motorcycles beyond basic liability and comprehensive coverage?

  A comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy can cover as much or as little as you'd like, depending on who your provider is. If you'd like cover for your riding gear or roadside assistance then this can typically be added as an optional extra.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance & Innovations

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 718 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
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Co-written by

James Martin

Editor

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

James's expertise

James has written 253 Finder guides across topics including:

• Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
• Managing the cost of living
• Money-saving tips