Over 50s motorcycle insurance

Yes, insurance tends to be cheaper for over 50s and older riders. But it’s not just age that’s taken into consideration when buying insurance. Other factors include:

• Type of motorbike
• Where you live
• Where you store the motorbike
• Your claims history
• How much experience you have

But it’s true that young bikers tend to get hit with higher insurance costs because of their inexperience and the risks of riding a motorbike. And this is backed up by a government report showing 29% of all deaths and serious injuries are from under 25-year-olds.

From an insurer’s point of view, older riders tend to be more careful riders. The stats show they're less likely to have an accident, meaning less risk and therefore cheaper policies.

Years of driving should have given older riders more experience with road hazards. Older riders also tend to be more cautious or have learned from their past mistakes.

But the fact is that motorbiking is far riskier than driving a car, and it's not just a perceived risk. Government figures show that motorcyclists make up only 1% of total road traffic, but account for around 19% of all Great Britain's road user deaths.

The good news is that riding, although riskier than driving, is becoming safer, and death and serious injuries have been overall reducing each year. For example, in 2004 there were 585 riders killed compared to 336 in 2020 according to statistics from a GOV.UK report.

And looking across decades of data a government report shows riders killed or seriously injured have decreased 76% since 1979. This is compared to 2013, down from 21,277 to 5,197.

There are some ways you could bring your insurance price down. How effective these are depend on your circumstances and the information you give when you get a quote. Here are some ways you could save:

• Improve security and storage
• Give an accurate mileage
• Consider advanced riding qualifications
• Choosing a higher excess
• Consider multi bike policy

• Improve security and storage - Theft is one of the biggest problems for motorbike owners. According to the Metropolitan Police, 9,000 motorcycles, mopeds and scooters were stolen in the last year in London alone. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) report that motorbikes are 11 times more likely to be stolen than cars, making up 25% of all vehicle theft in 2021.
  
  If you can keep your motorbike locked away in a garage, that could cut the cost of insurance. If you don't have a garage, it might even be worth renting one. It should keep your motorcycle safer and reduce your insurance costs. Other motorbike security could also help. Fit an insurance-approved lock and alarm, immobiliser or other security device and tell your insurance provider about it.
• Give an accurate mileage - As an older rider you’re more likely to only use your motorbike for leisure rather than commuting. Accurately predicting your annual mileage could make a difference to your policy costs.
• Consider advanced riding qualifications - Complete an approved advanced riding course. It might cut costs but also improve your riding skills. Courses from organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists and the British Motorcycle Federation are widely recognised.
• Choosing a higher excess - Excess is the amount you agree to pay before your insurance covers the rest on a successful claim. You could reduce your motorbike insurance costs by agreeing to a higher excess, but remember you have to be able to pay this in the event of a claim or accident.
• Consider multi bike policy - If you have more than 1 motorbike you might be able to reduce costs with a multi bike insurance policy. Multi-bike insurance works by offering savings incentives, because insurers naturally benefit from the more policies they have.

Generally speaking, you must give up your licence if:

• Your doctor tells you to stop riding for 3 months or longer
• You have a medical condition that impacts your ability to ride for 3 months or longer
• You’re deemed unfit to ride due to a medical condition.

The list is the same for bikers as it is for drivers. For more information, check out our guide to medical conditions and driving.

Your safety and the safety of those around you should be your top priority. With that in mind, it’s best to keep your health in check and take note if:

• Your eyesight begins to deteriorate, even with contact lenses or glasses
• Your reaction times are slower than before
• You take medication that could impact your ability to ride safely
• You suffer from conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, stroke or arthritis.

Certain medical conditions must be declared to the DVLA. If you don’t you risk getting a fine of up to £1,000. And, if you’re in an accident as a result, you could be prosecuted.

You can check if the DVLA needs to know about a specific medical condition at GOV.UK.