Companies with Cheap Motorcycle Insurance for 19 Year Olds

At 19, you're paying some of the highest motorcycle insurance premiums of any age group. This guide explains why, what you can do about it, and which providers are worth knowing about as you shop around.

Why is motorcycle insurance so expensive for 19 year olds?

Motorcycle insurance premiums are set based on statistical risk, and by that measure, young riders are among the most expensive groups to insure. Riders aged 17 to 24 are significantly overrepresented in road casualty statistics — they're more likely to be involved in accidents, more likely to make claims, and the claims tend to be larger. Insurers price policies to reflect that risk.

At 19, you're caught in a particularly difficult position. You're likely to have been riding for only a year or two, which means you don't yet have the track record — no claims history, no accumulated no claims discount — that persuades insurers you're a safe bet. Even if you're a genuinely careful rider, you don't yet have the data to prove it.

The type of bike also matters. Most 19-year-olds are either riding on a CBT with a 125cc learner-legal bike, or have passed their test and are on an A2 licence, which restricts them to bikes with a maximum of 35kW (roughly 47bhp). These restrictions exist for good safety reasons, but 125cc and A2-category bikes are also popular targets for theft, which pushes premiums up further.

The good news is that premiums tend to fall relatively quickly once you start building a claims-free history. By your mid-twenties, with a few years of clean riding behind you, the difference can be dramatic.

How much does motorcycle insurance cost for a 19 year old?

Insurance costs vary enormously depending on your bike, location, type of cover, parking situation and riding history, so any figure should be treated as a rough guide only. As a general indication, NimbleFins research found that the average quote for a 19-year-old rider in UK cities was over £2,800 per year — though the cheapest quotes available were considerably lower than this, and shopping around makes a very significant difference.

For context, the average cost of motorcycle insurance across all riders is much lower. The gap between the cheapest and average quote for a 19-year-old is large enough that comparison shopping isn't just advisable — it's essential.

Comprehensive cover can sometimes cost less than third party only for younger riders, which seems counterintuitive but reflects insurer pricing models (see below).

What type of cover do you need?

There are three levels of motorcycle insurance in the UK:

Third Party Only (TPO) is the legal minimum. It covers damage or injury you cause to other people and their property, but provides no cover for your own bike — if you're involved in an accident that's your fault, or your bike is stolen or damaged, you pay for it yourself.

Third Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT) adds cover for your bike being stolen or damaged by fire. You're still not covered for accidental damage to your own bike.

Comprehensive covers all of the above plus damage to your own bike in an accident, even if it's your fault. It also typically includes a wider range of benefits and optional extras.For younger riders, it's worth getting quotes for all three levels.

Comprehensive cover is sometimes cheaper than TPO or TPFT for 19-year-olds — this is because insurers see TPO and TPFT as attracting higher-risk riders who can't afford the more comprehensive option, so they price accordingly. Never assume the lowest tier of cover will be cheapest.

The biggest factors affecting your premium

Understanding what drives your premium up helps you make decisions that bring it down.

Your bike. Engine size, value, insurance group rating, and how commonly it's stolen all affect your premium. A standard 125cc commuter in a low insurance group will cost far less to insure than a sports-styled 125 or an A2-category naked bike with a higher group rating. Check the insurance group of any bike before you buy it.

Your location. Urban areas — particularly London and other large cities — attract higher premiums due to higher rates of theft and accidents. Where you park overnight matters too.

How you park overnight. A bike stored in a locked garage or secure storage will cost less to insure than one left on the street. Even a shared bike shed can make a difference.

Security. Approved alarms, immobilisers, disc locks and chains all demonstrate to insurers that theft risk is reduced. Make sure to declare them when getting a quote.

Annual mileage. The more you ride, the more exposure you have to risk. Lower mileage generally means lower premiums — but make sure you don't underestimate, as claiming on a policy where you've exceeded your declared mileage can cause problems.

Your riding history. Any claims or convictions in the last few years will push premiums up. Building a clean record is the single most effective long-term strategy.

How you use the bike. Social and commuting use is standard. If you use the bike for business travel (not including commuting), you'll need business use cover, which costs more.

How to get cheaper motorcycle insurance at 19

Choose your bike carefully. The single biggest thing you can do before buying a bike is check how much it costs to insure. Bikes in lower insurance groups, with smaller engines and lower values, cost significantly less to insure. If you haven't bought yet, get insurance quotes before you commit to a specific model.

Consider a telematics (black box) policy. Some insurers offer policies where a device or app monitors your riding — speed, braking, time of day, mileage. If you ride safely and sensibly, your premium can be reduced. For a young rider without a claims history, this can be one of the most effective ways to demonstrate to an insurer that you're lower risk than your age group suggests.

Take an advanced riding qualification. Completing a recognised course can earn you a discount with many insurers. The main options are:

Not all insurers offer a discount for every course, so check with your insurer before booking. Also note that CBT completion alone doesn't qualify for an advanced rider discount — it's the baseline requirement, not an advanced qualification.

Pay annually rather than monthly. Monthly payment plans involve interest — sometimes at a very high APR. If you can pay the annual premium upfront, you'll typically pay significantly less overall.

Increase your voluntary excess. Choosing a higher excess reduces your premium, but make sure it's an amount you could genuinely afford to pay if you needed to make a claim.

Add experienced named riders carefully. Adding an older, experienced rider as a named rider on your policy can sometimes reduce the premium. However, 'fronting' — where an experienced rider is listed as the main rider when a younger person is actually the primary rider — is insurance fraud and can invalidate your policy entirely.

Improve security. Alarms, immobilisers, disc locks, chains and ground anchors all help. Make sure any security measures are Thatcham-approved where relevant, and declare them accurately on your quote.

Shop around every year. Renewal prices are often higher than the equivalent new customer quote from the same insurer. Use a comparison site and also check directly with specialist motorcycle brokers who may not appear on comparison platforms.

Limit modifications. Non-standard modifications can increase your premium and must always be declared. If you're on a tight insurance budget, keeping the bike standard is the simplest approach.

Main UK motorcycle insurance providers

Most motorcycle insurance in the UK is sold through specialist brokers rather than directly by insurers. The broker finds cover from a panel of underwriters. Here are the main providers worth knowing about:

Lexham

A specialist motorcycle broker based in Norfolk, Lexham has been insuring bikes since 2000 and is particularly well known for competitive pricing on smaller-capacity bikes, scooters and younger riders. They have their own in-house claims handlers, which some riders find reassuring. NimbleFins research has found Lexham to be among the cheapest for 17 to 19-year-old riders in particular. They offer an app and online portal for policy management and have a 24/7 claims line. Be aware that their monthly payment APR can be very high, so paying annually is strongly advisable if you can.

Bikesure

Bikesure is the motorcycle insurance arm of Adrian Flux, the UK's largest specialist motor insurance broker. They compare over 40 insurers and cater for a wide range of needs including young riders, learners, SORN cover, short-term cover, grey imports and modified bikes. Every policy comes with £100,000 of legal cover as standard. Optional add-ons include personal injury cover, breakdown cover, and helmet and leathers cover.

Devitt

One of the UK's oldest motorcycle insurance specialists, Devitt has been arranging bike insurance since 1936. They compare quotes from a panel of leading UK insurers and offer a 24/7 claims line. Devitt has a specific young rider product and offers discounts for advanced rider training qualifications. NimbleFins research has found Devitt to be among the most competitively priced overall, with good customer ratings and a low proportion of poor reviews.

BeMoto

A relative newcomer, founded in 2015 by enthusiast riders, BeMoto has built a strong reputation and holds an exceptional 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 5,000 reviews. They don't charge amendment fees for mid-term policy changes — useful if your circumstances change during the year. Their top-tier Titanium cover bundles RAC breakdown assistance, helmet and leathers cover and legal expenses into a single package. They're particularly competitive for larger or modified bikes, though may not always be the cheapest for smaller 125cc machines.

Bennetts

One of the most established names in motorcycle insurance, Bennetts has been operating since 1930 and insures over 200,000 motorcyclists across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Standard policies include 90 days of EU cover, third party cover for riding other bikes, and cover for 16 standard modifications. Bennetts customers also get access to perks including discounted track days and events through their BikeSocial platform. Note that AXA exited the motorcycle insurance market in March 2024, so Bennetts policies are now underwritten by different insurers than previously — worth checking at renewal if you're an existing customer.

Carole Nash

A large and well-established specialist motorcycle broker, Carole Nash has been insuring bikes since 1985 and covers a wide range of bike types and rider profiles including commuters, sports bikes, classic bikes and off-road machines. They search across a panel of underwriters to find competitive pricing. Some riders report higher renewal prices than new customer quotes, so it's worth price-checking each year rather than auto-renewing.

Hastings Direct

One of the larger general insurers operating in the motorcycle market, Hastings Direct can be competitive on price, particularly for more straightforward profiles. They appear on most comparison sites. Customer experience reviews are more mixed than some specialists — they tend to attract both very positive and very negative reviews, so reading current customer feedback before buying is worthwhile.

GoSkippy

A price-focused broker that tends to appear at the cheaper end of comparison site results. Good for budget-conscious riders who want a no-frills policy. Less specialist than some of the dedicated motorcycle brokers above, but worth including in your comparison.

Performance Direct

A specialist broker catering particularly to sports bikes, performance bikes and modified machines. Worth checking if you're riding something that falls outside the mainstream.

Note: MCE Insurance, which previously appeared in this article, went into administration in 2023 and into liquidation in 2025. They are no longer writing new policies and should not be included in any comparison.

What to watch out for when comparing quotes

Getting the cheapest quote is a good start, but motorcycle insurance policies vary significantly in what they actually cover. Here are the key things to check before you commit:

Agreed value vs market value. If your bike is written off, will the insurer pay an agreed value (fixed at the start of the policy) or market value (what they decide it's worth at the time of the claim)? For newer or appreciating bikes, agreed value is preferable.

Helmet and leathers cover. Not always included as standard. If your gear is damaged or stolen, replacement costs can be substantial. Check whether this is included and to what limit.

Pillion cover. If you plan to carry a passenger, make sure your policy covers it. Not all do as standard.European cover. Many policies include some EU cover, but the level of cover (TPO vs comprehensive) and the number of days varies. Check before you travel abroad.

Excess. Look at both the compulsory excess (set by the insurer) and the voluntary excess you've chosen. The total is what you'll pay towards any claim. An apparently cheap policy with a very high compulsory excess may not be good value.

No claims discount protection. Some policies let you protect your no claims discount for an additional fee — worth considering once you've built up a few years of claims-free riding.

Amendment fees. Some insurers charge fees for changes mid-policy — updating your address, changing your bike, adding a rider. BeMoto is notable for not charging these. If your circumstances might change during the year, this is worth factoring in.

The underwriter. Brokers search across panels of underwriters. The broker you buy from is not necessarily the company that will handle your claim. It's worth knowing who the underlying insurer is, as this affects the claims experience.

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