Quad bike insurance

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What is quad bike insurance?

Quad bike insurance is a tailored cover built specifically for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Although quad bikes are often grouped with motorbikes, most standard motorbike insurance policies won’t cover them.

You'll need to make sure your insurance reflects how you use your quad if you want it to be covered both on and off-road. So, it’s important to let your insurer know exactly where you’ll be planning to ride around!

What does quad inurance cover?

We compare 3 levels of quad cover:

Third-party only covers other people, their vehicles and property if you damage them in an accident that’s your fault. It won’t cover your own quad though.
Third-party, fire and theft offers the same protection as third-party only, but also covers fire damage and theft of your own quad bike.
Comprehensive gives you all of the above, and adds in cover for your own quad if it's damaged in an accident.

What does quad insurance not cover?

Quad bike policies typically come with certain exclusions, such as:

Racing and stunts are not covered. If you are entering a race or a rally, a standard policy won't have your back. These activities are seen as high-risk, so unless you have a specialist competition policy, you may have to pay for the mishaps yourself.
Wear, tear and mechanical failures are all part of owning a vehicle, but they are not covered by insurance. Your policy is there to help with sudden accidents and theft.
Not sticking to your policy details could mean your insurer won't cough up when you need them most. It's all about sticking to the "terms and conditions" you agreed to.

When do quads need insurance?

Quad bikes do need insurance if:

They’re ridden on public roads
They’re parked on public roads
They’re used as farm quads and are driven on public roads for more than 1.5km at a time

Quad bikes do not need to be insured if:

They’re only ever driven off road
They’re parked on private land, or kept it in a garage, when not in use
They’re registered as light agricultural vehicles, and are driven for 1.5km or less on public roads

What's classed as a quad?

A quad bike is classed as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). It’s a four-wheeled vehicle designed to handle a wide range of surfaces, from rough off-road tracks to farmland and, in some cases, public roads.

While quads are often grouped with motorbikes, they’re treated differently for insurance and legal purposes. Some quads can be road-legal if they meet certain requirements, while others are designed strictly for off-road use.

There are 3 main types of quad, which all have different usages:

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs): The most common type of quad bike, ATVs are designed for off-road use across a variety of surfaces. They’re often used for leisure riding, farming, and utility work, and some models can be made road-legal if they meet certain requirements.
Side-by-side ATV: Also known as UTVs, side-by-side ATVs are larger than standard quad bikes and are designed for two or more people to sit next to each other. They’re commonly used for utility work, farming, and off-road recreation, and often come with added safety features like roll cages and seat belts.
Road-Legal (type-approved): A type-approved quad meets the legal requirements to be used on public roads. This usually means it’s been approved to certain safety and construction standards and is fitted with features like lights, indicators, mirrors, and road-legal tyres.

What if my quad isn't type-approved?

What does ‘type approved’ mean?

‘Type approved’ quads are those that meet minimum UK safety and environmental standards. They’re road legal and have a Certificate of Conformity to prove this. Most factory-bought quads will be type approved, but custom built ones may not be. If you have a custom built quad, you may need to get it approved through the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme. Once it’s approved, you’ll then be able to insure it.

If your quad is non-standard, heavily modified, or custom-built and isn’t type-approved, you may need specialist insurance. In this case, it’s best to speak directly with Vast Visibility on 03300 228 195, who can help you find suitable cover.

When getting a quote, simply select your quad’s make and model and our partner Vast Visibility will take it from there. They work with a panel of trusted motorbike insurers to help you find the right cover at a competitive price.

Compare insurance and get the best cover for you and your quad

Get a quad bike quote

Do I legally need insurance for my quad bike?

If you ride a road-legal quad on public roads, you must have at least third-party insurance in place. Quads used exclusively on private land usually don’t need insurance by law, but cover can still be useful to protect against theft, accidental damage, or liability.

Is my quad bike covered by my existing car or motorbike insurance?

Generally, no. Quad bikes are treated differently from cars and motorbikes, so you’ll typically need a dedicated quad bike insurance policy to make sure you’re properly protected.

Is it covered by home insurance?

Quad bikes are usually not covered by standard home insurance. While some home or contents policies may offer limited protection for vehicles stored on your property, they typically won’t cover riding-related accidents or damage. To be fully protected, it’s best to take out a dedicated quad bike insurance policy.

How much does quad bike insurance cost?

The cost of your quad bike insurance depends on quite a few factors, including:

Make and model

The value, engine size, and performance of your quad can all affect the price. More powerful or expensive models usually cost more to insure than smaller, lower-value quads.

Security and storage

Since quads are high-theft targets, keeping yours in a locked garage or using GPS trackers and Thatcham-approved alarms may lower your premium.

Age

Younger riders typically face the highest premiums, and these prices tend to come down as you age.

Experience

Insurers often consider your riding experience when setting premiums. More experienced riders with a proven track record of safe driving may pay less, while those who are new to quads or motorbikes could face higher costs until they build up experience and a no-claims history.

Location

Living in an urban area with high crime rates will result in higher premiums compared to a secure, rural farm setting.

How you use your quad bike

Insurers look at when, where, and how often you ride. Using your quad on public roads, riding frequently, or using it for certain purposes can affect the price you pay.

How can I get cheap quad insurance?

To get cheap quad insurance, you might want to consider the following:

Having a car licence
Some insurers provide discounts for car licence holders, so it’s worth considering this before comparing quotes to get the right price for you.
Upgrade your security
Insurers view quads as "easy targets". Improving security is often a good way to reduce your premium.
Choose the level of cover carefully
Although third-party policies offer less protection than comprehensive cover, it is worth comparing, as sometimes they can cost more.
Tweak the coverage details
Agreeing to pay more toward a claim (e.g., £250 instead of £100) may lower your premium as a result. Just ensure you can comfortably afford the excess if you are involved in a crash.
Pay annually
Paying the full amount upfront is the simplest way to save. Monthly instalments often include high interest rates, so paying annually cuts out those extra finance charges and can reduce your total premium.
Compare providers
Don't settle for your first quote or simply hit "renew". Prices vary wildly between providers, so comparing quotes can help you find the right policy at the right price.

What else do I need to ride a quad on the road?

As well as valid insurance, you'll need:

DVLA registration

You’ll need to register your quad with the DVLA once you’ve bought, built, rebuilt, altered or imported it. If you’re buying brand new from a dealer, the dealer should register the quad for you. If you’ve built the quad yourself, things are different and you’ll have to register it yourself.

Learn more about registering a quad

The right licence

To ride a quad on the road, you’ll need either a full UK car or motorbike driving licence, or, if you passed your test before 1997, a Category B1 licence. You can't ride a quad on a provisional licence. Unlike some other types of motorbike, you don’t need a CBT to ride a quad.

Learn more about driving licence categories

Road tax

If you’re riding, or even parking, your quad on a public road, you’ll need motorbike tax. This ranges from £24 to £111 for the year, if paying in one lump sum. Farm quads are exempt from tax, if registered as light agricultural vehicles and if only driven 1.5km or less on public roads.

Learn more about taxing a motorbike

A valid MOT

Just like with a car, you’ll need a valid MOT to ride a quad on the road. Also like a car, you don’t need to MOT your quad until it reaches 3 years old. Before you get an insurance quote, remember that you’ll need to have a valid MOT in place before you can insure your quad.

Learn more about motorbike MOTs

What our motorbike insurance expert says

"Even if you only ride your quad off-road, insurance can still be a good idea. It means you’ll be able to claim If your quad is stolen or vandalised while in storage. And, as long as it’s taxed, road legal and you have the right licence for it, having insurance will let you ride your quad on the road too. This can make it easier to get to and from any off-road spots you ride at."

Louise Thomas Motor Insurance Expert

Why choose Confused.com for quad bike insurance?

In 2002, we founded the first insurance comparison site. Since then, we’ve helped tens of millions of customers beat their renewal price and find great insurance at a great price.

But if that isn't enough reason to trust us, here're a few more:

Truly independent
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Need more help with your quad insurance?

Do I need insurance for an agricultural quad?

As with any quad bike, it depends on where you plan on riding:

If the bike never leaves the farm, you don’t have to get insurance for it as it’s classed as being off-road

If you spend any amount of time on a public road, you must have at least third-party cover for it

Even if you don’t have to get cover for your farm quad, insurance could be worth thinking about. Quad bikes can be a tempting target for thieves, and you could find yourself out of pocket if you damage your quad while working.

It’s worth remembering that if you’re using your quad bike for farm work, you need to register it as a light agricultural vehicle.

Do I need to wear a helmet on a quad bike?

In England, Scotland and Wales there’s no legal requirement to wear a helmet if you’re riding a quad bike. However, while you aren’t obliged by law to wear a helmet it’s still a sensible bit of safety kit - especially if you’re riding on public roads.

In Northern Ireland the law is different and you could be fined £500 if you’re caught riding a quad bike without a crash helmet.

Can I carry passengers on a quad bike?

Yes, but only if it is designed to carry passengers and has the correct amount of seats. It’s important to ask the manufacturer if you aren’t sure.

Can young riders get quad bike insurance?

Yes, though it can be tougher to find. While you can legally ride a road-legal quad at 17 with a full car licence, many insurers set a minimum age of 21 because they view quads as high-risk vehicles. Younger riders should expect higher premiums until they gain more road experience.

Can quad bikes go on the motorway?

Yes, but only if they are fully road-legal and registered with the DVLA. If your quad meets all safety standards, is taxed, and you hold a full car licence, you are legally allowed to use it on the motorway.

However, it is generally not recommended. Most quads are not designed for sustained high speeds, and their unique handling can make them unstable and vulnerable around heavy motorway traffic. Additionally, quads registered specifically as light agricultural vehicles are strictly prohibited from using motorways.

Do you need to pay road tax on a quad bike?

You only need to pay tax on your quad bike if you ride it on public roads. The rate you pay will vary according to its engine and emissions. However, if you are riding your quad bike for horticultural, agricultural or forestry purposes you can apply to have it zero-rated for tax. This would mean there would be no tax to pay.

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Reviewed by Louise Thomas Motor Insurance Expert Updated on 07 April 2026

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