Trike insurance

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  • Choose from 3 levels of cover

  • Quickly compare our best quotes

  • Get road legal cover for your trike

What type of insurance does my trike need?

Trikes are three-wheeled vehicles. The type of insurance you need depends on whether yours is built like a three-wheel car or a three-wheel motorbike.

Car insurance icon

Three-wheel cars feature:

  • An enclosed body
  • A steering wheel
  • A car chassis

Examples include the Campagna T Rex and classic three-wheelers like the Reliant Robin.

For a three wheel car, you’ll usually need car insurance, though some models may need specialist cover depending on the vehicle.

Motorbike insurance icon

Three-wheel motorbikes feature:

  • An open body
  • Handlebars
  • A motorbike chassis

Examples include the Harley Davidson Freewheeler and the Yamaha Niken GT.

For a three wheel motorbike, you’ll usually need motorbike insurance, though some models may need specialist cover depending on the vehicle.

What levels of trike insurance can I get?

What your trike insurance covers depends on the level of insurance you take out. There are three levels to choose from:

Third-party

Third party insurance is the lowest level of cover available in the UK. It covers damage to a third-party's property and any injuries they get following an accident that's your fault. But it doesn't cover theft or damage to your trike. 

Third-party, fire and theft

Third-party, fire and theft offers cover for third parties and your own trike if it's stolen or damaged by fire. You aren't covered for any damage to your trike or any injuries if you're in an accident. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance is the highest level of cover you can get. It includes everything covered by third-party, fire and theft, plus damage to your own trike following an accident.

Tips to get the best trike insurance quote

What you pay for your trike insurance depends on many things that are out of your control, like your age and driving history. But there are some factors you can control to bring the cost of your cover down.

  • Have a car licence: If you don’t already plan on getting a car licence, doing so just to reduce your trike insurance costs isn’t really worthwhile. But if you’re already working towards one, it could be worth waiting until you pass before insuring your trike.
  • Try multi-bike insurance or multi-car insurance policy: While they work slightly differently, both multi-bike and multi-car policies can help bring your cover costs down. Insuring several vehicles on one policy often works out cheaper than insuring them all individually. You’ll also have less admin to deal with, and less paperwork to keep track of, so they can be useful time savers too.
  • Pick the right cover: Third party policies may cover less, but this doesn’t mean they cost less. In fact our data shows the opposite. Fully comprehensive motorbike policies, despite covering far more, cost less than third party policies on average.

Can I get insurance for a modified or self-built trike?

Yes. If your trike is modified or custom built, you can still compare trike insurance quotes for it.

If it’s a factory model that’s been modified, you’ll usually just need to declare the changes when you get a quote. You may pay a bit more depending on what’s been done, but you should still be able to find insurers willing to cover you.

If it’s a self-built trike or heavily modified, you’ll need to make sure it’s registered with the DVLA before you can compare quotes. If it isn’t registered yet, it may need approval through the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme first. Once it’s registered, you can get a quote, although you may find fewer insurers available for custom builds.

Learn more about modified bike insurance.

What our motorbike insurance expert says

"If you have a self-built or heavily modified trike, you’ll still be able to find cover. But you’ll need to make sure it's registered with the DVLA first. Once that’s done and it has a registration number, you'll be able to compare quotes. We’ll do the rest to help you find great cover at a great price."
Louise Thomas, Motor Insurance Expert at Confused.com
Motor Insurance Expert Confused.com logo

What extras can I add to my trike insurance?

Some insurers let you add optional extras to your trike policy for an extra cost. The options available can vary by insurer, but these are some of the most useful add ons for trike riders. Typical trike insurance add-ons include:

  • Breakdown cover: You may be able to choose either car breakdown cover or motorbike breakdown cover. Both typically come in different levels, so you can pick the amount of help you want if you break down.
  • Motor legal protectionThis can help cover legal costs if you are involved in an incident that leads to a legal claim, such as following an accident.
  • Pillion cover: This insures you to carry a passenger on your trike. Many motorcycle policies do not include passenger cover as standard, so it is worth checking.
  • Leathers and helmet cover This can help protect items like your helmet, leathers and other protective clothing. If your gear is damaged as part of a claim, it may help with repair or replacement costs.

Need more help with your trike insurance?

Will my trike insurance cover me for driving in Europe?

In most cases yes. The majority of car and motorbike insurance policies we compare quotes for will cover you to drive in Europe for up to 30 days.

You’ll normally be covered for any country within the EU, as well as non-EU countries like:

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • Andorra
  • Liechtenstein
  • Serbia
  • Switzerland

Some insurers may charge you extra for European cover, but this is unlikely. If you’re driving further afield, your insurance may not cover you, so it’s worth checking with your insurer before setting off. You may need add ons like an international driving permit and additional insurance.

What else do I need to ride a trike?

Aside from a valid trike insurance policy, you need to make sure:

  • You’ve got the right licence to ride a trike. You can check this on the Government website
  • You have a valid V5C logbook as proof of ownership
  • Your trike is taxed
  • Your trike has a valid MOT

You’re not legally required to wear a helmet when you ride a trike - that only applies to mopeds and motorbikes. But it’s still a sensible idea to wear a helmet whenever you’re on the road for all-around protection.

The same goes for leathers and other protective gear - if you’re exposed to the road, it’s a good idea to wear as much protection as possible.

Can I ride a trike on a car licence?

Yes. As long as you’re over 21 and have a full car driving licence, you can ride a trike of any power.

That said, it’s still worth double checking your licence entitlement before you ride, as some trikes can be classed differently depending on their design. You should also make sure you have the right insurance in place for the type of trike you’re riding, whether it’s treated more like a three wheel car or a three wheel motorbike.

Motorbike guides

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