Dirt bike insurance

What is off road motorbike insurance?

Off-road motorbike insurance is a specialist policy that protects dirt bikes, motocross bikes, trail bikes, and enduro bikes against theft and damage.

It's a more specialist policy compared to standard motorbike insurance as it covers you for riding off-road rather than general day-to-day riding. This includes riding at organised events.

Do off road bikes need insurance?

Yes. If you ride your off-road motorbike on a public road, you’re legally required to have insurance for it.

The confusion comes in when there are several unmarked paths that might appear to be ‘off-road’ but are legally classified as a public roads. These are called ‘byways open to all traffic’.

If your motorbike is on a public road - even if it’s to get to an off-road area - you need a motorbike insurance policy to ride on it.

As well as motorbike insurance, to ride on public roads you need to:

• Register your motorbike with the DVLA
• Make sure the road bike has valid tax and MOT
• Have the correct type of motorbike licence in place

The type of licence you need usually depends on your age and the size of the motorbike you ride. You can find a breakdown of the motorbike licence categories on the GOV.UK website.

Can I save money by comparing quotes?

Yes you can.

Comparing dirt bike insurance quotes takes just a few minutes, and we compare dozens of insurance providers for you. It’s the quickest and easiest way to lower your motorbike insurance costs.

Even if your dirt bike insurance renewal price is the same or even lower than the previous year, it’s still worth shopping around.

If you’re looking to save more money on your off-road motorbike insurance policy, you could:

• Increase your voluntary excess. Offering to put up more money in the event of a claim could reduce your insurance costs.
• Upgrade your motorbike’s security to ensure your motorbike is less of a target for thieves.
• Consider advanced motorcycle training as off-roading comes with added risks. Proving that you’re a safe rider could lower your costs.

For more information, check out our guide on how to lower your motorbike insurance.

What's the difference between on road and off road motorbike insurance?

On the whole, standard motorbike insurance and off-road motorbike insurance offer the same degree of cover. The main difference between them is where this cover is valid:

Standard motorbike insurance is only for ordinary road use

Off-road motorbike insurance covers you for any mishaps on the track

Off-road motorbike insurance policies might also offer extras designed for the way you use your motorbike, including:

• Limited mileage cover, as motocross bikers tend to cover fewer miles than traditional bikers. A limited mileage policy could reflect this, reducing your motocross insurance costs.
• Motorcycle breakdown cover is a common option with off-road policies, as dirt bikes are more likely to get damaged than road bikes. Breakdown cover could help get your motorbike back on the road.
• Accidental damage & personal injury cover don’t usually come as standard on most motorbike insurance policies. They also generally come with higher costs. But they could be particularly beneficial to off-road bikers, who tend to take more risks with both their motorbike and themselves.

What do I need to get a dirt bike insurance quote?

To get an off-road motorbike quote, we just need a few details about you and your motorbike. In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to compare quotes from a range of providers.

Motorbike details:

• Your motorcycle registration. If you don’t have that, the make, model and year of manufacture should do.
• Your motorbike’s estimated value.
• The date you bought the motorbike. You can still get a quote for a motorbike you haven’t bought, as long as you have the other details.
• Where you keep the motorbike when not in use.
• What security measures you’ve taken to secure the motorbike.
• Any modifications you’ve made to the motorbike.

Rider details:

• The category of your motorbike licence and how long you’ve had it.
• How you plan on using your motorbike, also known as its class of use.
• Any convictions or claims you’ve had in the last 5 years.
• How many miles you expect to ride in a year. This doesn’t have to be exact, but it's worth being as accurate as you can.
• Details of any other riders who use your motorbike.
• Any optional extras such as pillion cover, personal accident or breakdown cover.