If you are new to motorcycling, you may be wondering about just how bike insurance works and how much it is going to cost you.

Although it is impossible to accurately answer the second part of the question, without you going through a full quotation process, you may find the following points to be useful:

• as a new motorcyclist, you may need to accept that your insurance may be somewhat less cost attractive than policies for more experienced riders;

• if you both lack experience and are relatively young, then the two things together may increase your costs a little further;

• as you might expect, the cost of your motorcycle insurance will typically be significantly affected by the size, type and value of your bike – the way you use it (e.g. your annual mileages) may also play a part;

• unfortunately, motorcycles are not immune from the attention of thieves and vandals, with a significant proportion of such problems arising when bikes are parked overnight, therefore, if you can park your bike off the public road on your driveway (or better, in a locked and secure garage) you may be able to keep down the price of your insurance;

• one thing that may adversely affect the cost of your bike insurance is a motoring conviction – avoiding these may therefore not only be socially responsible bike riding but also practical in helping to reduce your costs;

• if you are purchasing a second-hand bike, it might be prudent to check whether or not it has been modified away from the original manufacturer’s specification – if it has, that may also increase the price of your bike insurance, as some insurers are fearful of such modifications;

• if you are in the process of choosing the bike with which to start your motorcycling experience, remember that a combination of a powerful machine combined with an inexperienced and/or young rider, may result in some fairly hefty insurance premiums – it may be advisable to consider a smaller and less ambitious machine until such time as you have accumulated both experience and a no claims discount;

• the position with regard to no claims discount may be complicated and vary significantly between insurance policies, however, as a general rule it may be advisable to avoid relatively small value claims, as these may put your discount at risk;

• finally, it might make sense to try and find an insurance provider who is able to offer you a choice of several insurers’ bike insurance policies to choose from – it may allow you an opportunity to find motorbike cover that is suitable for you.