When it comes to comparing your scooter or moped insurance, you’ll have to decide what level of protection you need. Different policy types will affect both the amount you pay and the level of cover you get:

• Third party only - the minimum cover you must have by law, but not always the cheapest. It insures you against damage caused to someone else or their property as the result of an accident. It doesn't cover your bike against repair or replacement for any reason. 
• Third party fire & theft - covers any third-party damage as above, but also covers your bike for repairs or replacement if it is stolen or damaged by fire.
• Comprehensive - offers the most protection, covering you and your bike, as well as other people and their property.

HOT TIP: In recent years, moped and motorcycle theft has increased across the UK. While ‘third-party only’ is the minimum required by law, protecting your ride against theft is often seen as the bare minimum for moped and scooter owners. It’s also worth comparing comprehensive insurance, as sometimes this can be cheaper than the third-party price.

Not sure if a provider is the right one for you? Take a look at our provider pages, where you can find more information about each company and their policies.

Part of the appeal of riding a moped in the UK is that models with engines under 50cc can be ridden legally from the age of 16.

From the age of 17 you'll be able to upgrade to ride a larger scooter or 125cc motorbike.

But whatever your age you'll need the following as a minimum to ride legally on UK roads:

• CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) - You'll need to complete this training before you can ride any moped or scooter on UK roads. You'll still be required to display L plates after passing your CBT. You can find more licencing information on the GOV.UK website.
• Registration - You will usually get your bike's registration documents when you purchase it. If not, you must ensure that it is registered with the DVLA before it can be legally used on UK roads.
• Tax - Just like cars, motorbikes and scooters need to be taxed to be ridden legally in the UK. Bikes under 150cc fall into the lowest tax bracket, which can cost as little as £20 per year*. You can find full motorcycle tax bracket information on the GOV.UK website.
• Insurance - An active insurance policy is a legal requirement for all vehicles on UK roads, under the government's Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) regulations.

To compare scooter insurance policies from our range of trusted insurers, use the 'Get a bike quote' button above.

Or for more information before you buy, visit our guides section.

*correct as of 2019

The main difference between a moped and a scooter is the engine size. A bike with an engine size of 50cc or less is normally classed as a moped, while scooters will be anything from 50cc to 150cc. This difference comes from the early days of mopeds where they were essentially a pedal bike - hence the '-ped', with a small motorised engine - the 'mo-'.

Frame style is also important. Scooters have a step-through frame with a platform to put your feet on, which differentiates them from low-powered motorbikes. They will also tend to have smaller wheels.

The difference in engine size affects the maximum speed. Mopeds can have a maximum speed of 28mph, and so are considered a lower risk. For this reason, mopeds are cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure than scooters, which are more powerful due to their larger engine capacity. Mopeds are not permitted to travel on motorways due to their restricted speed.

Fuel prices are constantly changing, and congestion on UK roads gets worse every year. Mopeds and scooters have low insurance costs, high fuel efficiency and the ability to weave through traffic jams. So it's really no surprise that mopeds, scooters and similar small-engined bikes are ever more attractive to the British motorist.

Read our guides on 50cc bikes and 125cc bikes to see which is best for you.