Motorcycle Insurance Costs: Your comprehensive guide to premiums and savings potential
15.06.25
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The cost of motorcycle insurance can vary significantly. Many riders pay several hundred euros a year. This article shows you how premiums are made up and where you can find potential savings.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The cost of motorcycle insurance depends on the type class, regional class, no-claims discount class and individual riding profile.
Motor vehicle liability insurance is required by law; partial and fully comprehensive insurance provide additional protection for your own motorcycle.
With seasonal licence plates, excess and tariff comparisons, insurance costs can often be significantly reduced.
Cost factors at a glance: What makes your motorcycle insurance expensive
The premium for your motorcycle insurance is an individual amount. Several components determine the annual costs. The type of motorcycle, for example power in kW, plays a significant role. Your age and riding experience, reflected in the no-claims bonus class, are also decisive. Last but not least, the registration district influences the premium amount via the regional class. These factors form the basis of the calculation.
Understanding the three pillars of cover: liability, partial comprehensive and fully comprehensive insurance
Legally required: motor third-party liability insurance
Every motorcycle owner in Germany needs motor third-party liability insurance. This mandatory insurance covers damage you cause to others. The statutory minimum cover amounts are 7.5 million euros for personal injury. For property damage, it is 1.22 million euros, and for pure financial losses, fifty thousand euros. However, many insurers offer significantly higher cover amounts, often up to one hundred million euros. Liability cover is the absolute foundation.
Extended protection: partial comprehensive insurance
Partial comprehensive cover is an optional additional insurance policy. It covers damage to your own motorcycle. This typically includes theft and fire damage. Damage caused by natural events such as storms or hail is often included too. Collisions with animals and broken glass are also frequently covered by partial comprehensive insurance. The exact benefits vary, so comparing policies is important. For many motorcycles, partial comprehensive cover offers useful additional protection, especially because of the theft risk.
Comprehensive protection: fully comprehensive insurance
Fully comprehensive insurance offers the most extensive protection for your motorcycle. It includes all the benefits of partial comprehensive cover. In addition, it covers accidental damage to your own vehicle that you cause yourself. Damage caused by vandalism is also usually included. Comprehensive cover is particularly recommended for new or very high-value motorcycles. The premiums are higher, but the protection is comprehensive. The decision depends on the value of the motorcycle and your individual need for security.
No-claims bonus class (SF class): Drive without accidents and reduce premiums
Your no-claims discount class (SF class) has a major impact on the cost. For every claim-free year, you move up to a higher SF class. A higher SF class means a higher discount on your insurance premium. New drivers usually start in SF class 0 or SF class 0.5. With up to sixty claim-free years, SF class 60 can be reached, which leads to significant premium reductions. SF classes exist for third-party liability and comprehensive insurance. Partially comprehensive insurance does not have SF classes. A good no-claims discount class is worth real money.
A downgrade to a lower SF class takes place after a claim has been reported. This leads to higher premiums in the following year. For smaller claims, it may therefore be cheaper to cover the costs yourself. Some insurers offer no-claims protection. This prevents a downgrade after the first claim, but costs extra. The exact rules on classification and downgrading vary depending on the insurer. It is advisable to take a look at the provider’s SF class table.
Regional differences: The influence of the regional class
Your place of residence influences insurance costs via the regional class. Germany is divided into different registration districts. The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) analyses the claims records of these districts every year. Districts with many claims are assigned a higher regional class. This tends to lead to higher insurance premiums. Rural regions often have lower regional classes than large cities. In motor third-party liability insurance, there are twelve regional classes. Partial cover has sixteen, and comprehensive cover nine classes. So your postcode also helps determine the premium.
Motorcycle type class: model and performance in focus
The type class of your motorcycle is also an important cost factor. Unlike with cars, there is no standard GDV type class directory for motorcycles that is binding for all insurers. Insurers use their own calculation schemes. These take into account factors such as model, engine power (kW/PS) and the statistical frequency of accidents and theft for the respective type. High-performance machines or models that are stolen frequently are often given less favourable classifications. This leads to higher premiums. Before buying a motorcycle, it may be worth comparing the projected insurance costs for different models.
Practical tips for optimising the cost of your motorcycle insurance
There are various ways to reduce the cost of your motorcycle insurance. Here are some effective strategies:
Use a seasonal number plate: If you only ride for a few months a year, you can save tax and insurance contributions with a seasonal number plate. Savings of over thirty percent are possible. The registration period must be at least two and no more than eleven months.
Choose an excess: Agree an excess in comprehensive insurance. Typical amounts are, for example, one hundred and fifty euros in partial cover and three hundred euros in fully comprehensive cover. This lowers the annual premium.
Pay annually: Pay your premium annually instead of monthly or quarterly. Many insurers grant a discount of a few percent for this.
Limit the group of riders: The fewer people ride the motorcycle, the cheaper the premium can be. In particular, young riders in the user group can increase the costs.
Accept a workshop commitment: Some tariffs offer a discount if you agree, in the event of a claim, to use the insurer's partner workshops.
State your annual mileage realistically: Estimate your kilometres ridden per year accurately. Low-mileage riders often pay less. However, stating too low a figure can cause problems in the event of a claim.
Garage as a parking place: A secure parking place such as a garage can have a positive effect on the premium, especially in partial cover because of the theft protection.
Compare offers: Prices and benefits vary considerably between insurers. A thorough insurance comparison is essential.
These measures can lead to significant savings, either individually or in combination.
Young riders under 25 often pay higher premiums. This is due to the statistically higher accident risk in this age group. New riders also start in a low no-claims class, usually SF 0 or SF 0.5. Nevertheless, there is still potential to save. One option is the second-vehicle rule. If parents already have a vehicle insured, the child’s motorcycle can be placed in a cheaper rating, sometimes even in SF class 4. Some insurers offer special tariffs for young riders. The statutory power limit for new licence holders, often 48 hp, can also reduce the premium, as engine power is a cost factor. Comparing quotes is especially worthwhile here.
Expert depth: legal foundations and current developments
The obligation to take out motorcycle third-party liability insurance is set out in the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG). This law ensures that accident victims are financially compensated. The minimum sums insured are fixed by law. An important development is the standardisation of claims history certificates. This is intended to make switching between insurers easier. Since 2024, there have been new rules for motor racing third-party liability insurance for motorsport events. These must now maintain a minimum sum insured for damage to third parties. Our expert tip: Check your policy terms for the inclusion of “gross negligence”. Many modern tariffs waive benefit reductions if a claim was caused by gross negligence, except in cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This can be crucial in an emergency. Also check whether a Mallorca policy for rental vehicles abroad is included. This extends cover to the level of your German policy.
Your path to the ideal motorcycle insurance
The cost of motorcycle insurance depends on many individual factors. There is therefore no one-size-fits-all answer to “How much does a motorcycle cost to insure?”. By understanding the individual cost factors and making use of potential savings, however, you can actively shape your premium. A careful comparison of different offers is essential. Consider not only the price, but also the cover. A low-cost motorcycle insurance policy is good, but suitable protection in the event of a claim is more important. nextsure will be happy to help you find the ideal insurance cover for your motorcycle. We analyse your situation and prepare a tailored quote for you. This allows you to focus on what matters most: the enjoyment of riding on two wheels.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides press releases on the current vehicle stock in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides a publication on motorcycle accidents.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) publishes regional statistics for motorcycles.
Finanztip offers comprehensive information and tips on motorcycle insurance.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides information on compulsory motor vehicle insurance.
TÜV Nord provides information on prices and fees for vehicle inspections.
The German Road Safety Council (DVR) provides information on motorcycle safety.
FAQ
What influences the cost of my motorcycle insurance the most?
The most important factors are your no-claims discount class (SF class), the type class of your motorcycle (depending on model and performance), the regional class of your place of residence and the cover you choose (third-party liability, partial comprehensive, comprehensive). Your age and annual mileage also play a role.
Is fully comprehensive insurance for my motorbike always necessary?
No, comprehensive insurance is not always necessary. It is particularly recommended for new, expensive or financed motorcycles. For older models with a lower value, partial comprehensive insurance or even just the statutory third-party liability insurance is often sufficient.
How can I save on motorcycle insurance as a young rider?
Young riders can often save money through their parents’ second-vehicle arrangement by taking over a more favourable no-claims bonus class. Choosing a motorbike with moderate performance (e.g. up to 48 hp for A2 licence holders) and comparing specialist young-rider tariffs also help to reduce costs.
What happens to my no-claims bonus after an accident?
After a claim for which you were at fault and which has been settled by the insurer, you are usually downgraded in your no-claims bonus class. This leads to higher premiums for third-party liability and comprehensive insurance. For minor claims, it may be cheaper to pay for them yourself.
What advantages does a seasonal number plate offer?
With a seasonal number plate, you only pay vehicle tax and insurance contributions for the registered period (at least two, at most eleven months). This saves money and the annual effort of registering and deregistering the vehicle. Outside the season, there is often a premium-free lay-up insurance policy.
Are accessories and riding apparel also insured?
As standard, permanently installed accessories are often covered up to a certain value. Riding gear (helmet, suit) is not always automatically covered. Some insurers offer optional add-ons for this or include it in premium policies. Check the exact terms and conditions of your policy.
