I have been a motorcycle rider ever since I was old enough to ride my first 50cc Yamaha on the road with learner plates and have always enjoyed the thrill. I passed my full test before my car test and have always owned a bike rather than a car. I have also been very lucky in that in all of the years that I have been on two wheels I have never had a serious accident. Sure there have been the odd splash here and there and I have suffered my fair share of road rash. But that’s the worst I have had and I consider myself blessed. So everything has been good for me, that is except for my motorcycle insurance.
When I was first riding, insurers promised me that when I passed my full test the premiums would fall. Then they promised me that at the age of 21 I would notice a significant reduction in price. Next there was the promise that my 25th birthday would definitely be the one, that became 30th and I am still praying that when I reach 40 I will finally have affordable motorcycle insurance. However, in all this time I have discovered a few tips that can lower your motorcycle insurance and keep your bike safer.
First of all security is key. Unfortunately motorcycles are incredibly easy to steal and there seems to be no shortage of low lifes that are willing to do it. So an alarm is an absolute must. Many motorcycle insurance companies will offer a discount if you can prove that you have a quality alarm system fitted to your wheels and here’s another tip. Fit it somewhere that is difficult to get to.
Don’t just put it under the seat, think about it and choose somewhere a little bit more inaccessible. If it is easy to put in, it is easy to stop so I always put mine under the fuel tank. It makes them very sensitive and almost impossible to get at without taking the bike apart.
Another way to avoid having your pride and joy stolen and therefore impress the motorcycle insurance company is to store it in a safe place. A garage that is connected to your home is always a favorite. It is also a good idea to alarm the garage and fit some heavy duty locks to the door. A cheap way to alarm the garage is to plug in a baby monitor and keep the receiver with you when you are at home. I sleep with mine next to the bed.
You should also consider fixing a ring to the garage floor so that you can lock your bike to it. Use a good quality u-lock and, if possible, secure it to the frame and the ring. It’s all about making it as difficult as possible for the baddies to get their grubby mitts on your bike.
Now not all motorcycle insurance (or as Danes refer to the term MC forsikring) companies will offer discounts just because you have done these things so be sure to shop around. And even if the measures you have taken don’t make you eligible for cheaper motorcycle insurance (in Danish billig motorcykel forsikring), your bike will be a lot less likely to be stolen. This in turn will mean that you make less claims and that should help to lower your premium.