Understanding Motorcycle Excess Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide for Motorbike Owners

 

Motorcycle excess insurance is additional coverage that can provide financial protection to motorbike owners, particularly when faced with the burden of paying a high excess amount after making a claim on their primary motorcycle insurance policy. This comprehensive guide will explore the importance of excess insurance for motorbike owners, how it works, the benefits, factors to consider when choosing a policy, and tips for comparing policies.

 

How Motorcycle Excess Insurance Works

 

If you have to make an insurance claim on your main comprehensive vehicle policy, you may be asked to pay the excess stated on your insurance policy. If this is the case, and you have taken out motor excess protection cover for your motorbike, then you can claim back the excess charge you have paid.

 

Subject to choosing a claim limit that at least matches your excess claim, and the claim is eligible; it is as simple as that.

 

Primary motorcycle insurance and excess

1. Compulsory excess - Compulsory excess is the minimum amount a policyholder must pay when claiming their motorcycle insurance policy. The insurance provider sets this amount.
2. Voluntary excess - Voluntary excess is an additional amount chosen by the policyholder, which they agree to pay on top of the compulsory excess. Opting for a higher excess can lower annual motor insurance policy premiums and save you money.

 

Excess reimbursement process                                             

 

Let us try to illustrate the process by way of an example.

 

Let's say you have a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure.

 

Your annual motor policy cost is £450.

 

Your combined excess (compulsory and voluntary) is £500.

 

You buy a motorbike excess protection policy to cover the £500.

 

You have a fault accident claim, with the repair costs totalling £950.

1. Claiming on primary motorcycle insurance - When making a claim on your primary motorcycle insurance policy, you must first pay the combined compulsory and voluntary excess amount of £500.
2. Claiming on motorcycle excess insurance - If you have motor excess insurance, you can claim the reimbursement of the excess amount paid up to the limit specified in the policy. So, in this example, you can claim back your £500 excess payment from your excess protection insurance.

 

Benefits of Motorbike Excess Insurance

 

A. Financial protection against high excess amounts - Motorcycle excess insurance offers financial protection by covering the excess amount you must pay when making a claim, thus reducing your financial burden.

 

B. Minimising out-of-pocket expenses - By reimbursing you for the excess amount, motorcycle excess insurance helps minimise your out-of-pocket expenses after a claim.

 

C. Peace of mind for motorbike owners - Having excess insurance can give motorbike owners peace of mind, knowing that they are better protected financially in case of an accident or other claim-worthy events.

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Motorcycle Excess Insurance

 

A. Policy limits - Different policies have varying limits on the amount they cover for excess reimbursement. Choose a policy that aligns with the excess amount in your primary motorcycle insurance. With Total Loss Gap Motor Excess protection, for example, you can choose from £300, £500, £750, £1000 and £1500 claim limits.

 

B. Claim eligibility - Motorcycle excess insurance typically covers claims eligible under your primary vehicle insurance policy. Your motor insurer must also charge your excess. If your excess is not charged, for example, you have a £500 excess, and the claim costs are only £400, then you cannot claim this from your motor excess insurance. Understand the terms and conditions of both policies to avoid confusion during the claims process.

 

C. Cost of premium - Premiums for motorcycle excess insurance can vary based on factors such as the level of coverage, your driving history, and the excess amount you wish to cover. Compare different policies and providers to find the best value for your needs.

 

D. Exclusions - Like any insurance policy, motorcycle excess insurance may have specific exclusions. Read the policy documents carefully to know what situations need to be covered.

 

Tips for Comparing Motorcycle Excess Insurance Policies

 

A. Researching insurance providers - Explore various insurance providers to get an idea of the available options.

 

B. Assessing coverage levels Compare the coverage levels offered by different policies and ensure they align with your needs.

 

C. Reading customer reviews and ratings - Look for customer reviews and ratings to get insights into the experiences of other motorbike owners with similar policies.

 

Motorbike Excess Insurance FAQs                 

 

What is the excess on motorbike insurance?

The excess on motorbike insurance is the amount you must pay when making a claim on your policy before the insurer covers the remaining cost. It typically consists of both compulsory and voluntary excess.

 

How does excess work with bike insurance?

 

Excess works the same way for bike insurance as car insurance. When making a claim, you must pay the excess amount first, and then your insurer will cover the rest of the claim up to the policy limit. Motorcycle excess insurance can reimburse you for the excess amount you paid when making a claim.

 

Do I have to pay the excess if my motorbike is stolen?

 

Yes, you will typically have to pay the excess amount if your motorbike is stolen and you make a claim on your insurance policy. However, if you have motorcycle excess insurance, you can claim reimbursement for the excess amount paid up to the limit specified in the policy.

 

What does an excess of £750 on my insurance policy mean?

 

An excess of £750 on your motor insurance policy means you must pay the first £750 of costs on any claim you make. 

 

Do I need motorcycle excess insurance if I already have a comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy?

 

Motorcycle excess insurance is not mandatory, but it can provide additional financial protection by covering the excess amount you must pay when making a claim on your comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy.

 

Can I purchase motorcycle excess insurance for a rented borrowed motorbike?

 

Possibly, but the policy provided by Total Loss Gap is for a privately owned motorbike. For example, if you hire a motorbike whilst on holiday, you can source a hire excess protection insurance policy.

 

How does the claims process work if I'm involved in an accident that's not my fault?

 

If you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, you may still have to pay the excess amount initially. However, if the other party is found to be at fault and their insurer accepts liability, you can recover the excess amount from the at-fault party's insurer. Having motorcycle excess insurance can reimburse you for the excess amount if you cannot recover it from the at-fault party's insurer.

 

Are there any specific exclusions to be aware of when purchasing motorcycle excess insurance?

 

Exclusions can vary depending on the policy and provider. Some standard exclusions may include claims that are not covered by your primary motorcycle insurance, claims made while riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and claims made while using the motorbike for illegal activities. Always read the policy documents carefully to understand the exclusions that apply to your motorcycle excess insurance.

 

Can I get motorcycle excess insurance if I have Third Party insurance only?

 

No. To have a valid claim on your motorbike excess insurance policy, you must be charged your excess on your primary motor insurance cover. This means you must have fully comprehensive motor insurance. If you have Third Party or Third Party, Fire and Theft cover, then motor excess protection would not benefit you. 

 

Can you claim more than once on your motorbike excess protection?

 

This may vary from policy to policy. For example, with the policy provided by Total Loss Gap, you can consider the claim limit as the maximum credit you can claim for the annual cover. So, if you have a £500 excess claim and a £500 claim limit on your excess protection, that would be the expiry of the policy. You can then buy another excess protection insurance policy for your motorbike insurance excess should you wish.

 

Motorcycle excess insurance provides valuable financial protection for motorbike owners by covering the excess amount they must pay when making a claim on their primary insurance policy. While not mandatory, it can offer peace of mind and help minimise out-of-pocket expenses in case of accidents, theft, fire or flood. Research and compare policies to find the right coverage for your needs and ensure a smooth claims process.