MCE Insurance Review: Low Rates on Motorcycle Insurance
MCE Insurance Review: Low Rates on Motorcycle Insurance
Good for
- Low rates
- Young drivers
- Convicted drivers
Bad for
- High excess
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.
Unfortunately, MCE insurance has gone into administration, but we are keeping this review up for historical purposes. You can still compare 20+ motorcycle insurance providers by click the blue button below. Get a quote now and see how much you could save.
MCE Insurance, who is one of the top 10 UK motorcycle insurance brands, is not a broker but a specialist insurance company that underwrites their own policies for motorcycles and some other vehicles. They're known for low prices, offer multibike policies and can insure convicted drivers.
- MCE Insurance: Our Thoughts
- MCE Bike Insurance
- MCE Car Insurance
- MCE Customer Reviews, Complaints and Ratings
MCE: Low Insurance Rates
MCE stands out for low rates for motorcycle insurance and for including breakdown recovery on all bike plans. In particular, we found MCE's motorcycle insurance quotes for young riders to be a good deal and frequently less than quotes offered by other insurance companies. In fact, MCE produced the cheapest quote in our study of cheap motorcycle insurance for 25 year olds.
Thanks to its low rates, easy renewal process (according to their website FAQ, MCE online renewal prices will be their best available) and UK-based customer service team, MCE bike insurance is quite popular across the UK. MCE also stands out for convenience with customer service lines open until 9 pm during the week and open on both Saturday and Sunday, plus there's a live chat function on their website.
However, MCE had trouble with their underwriter that left policyholders in a rough situation. Their policies used to be underwritten by Green Realisations 123 Ltd. In November 2021, Green Realisations 123 Ltd had its permission to write new insurance suspended and subsequently went into administration. Over this time, MCE found a new underwriter, Sabre. However, many policyholders were left in a difficult position and without insurance during the transition. Now, MCE UK sells policies underwritten by UK based Sabre Insurance. As far as we know, Sabre is a larger company in the UK and should be more reliable.
MCE Motorcycle Insurance
MCE is known for offering competitive rates, but there's a catch. The standard MCE excess for damage, theft, etc. may be higher than average. For example, MCE's standard compulsory excess (the amount you contribute towards a claim) seems to be £575, which is lower than it used to be but still a bit higher than the average motorcycle insurance excess. Of course, the excess may depend on aspects of your application like age and driving record. Choosing a plan with a higher excess in order to get a cheaper bike insurance rate is a trade off that will suit some people but not others.
MCE Bike Insurance Coverages
MCE bike insurance comprehensive policies include Legal Assistance, Helmets & Leathers and Personal Accident, yet remain competitive in the market, perhaps due to a slightly higher excess. Details of MCE coverages are shown below.
All Cover Levels
- Liability to third parties arising from death personal injury and property damage caused by use of your motorcycle (property damage claims are limited to £1,200,000)
- Roadside assistance and accident recovery
- Continental use for trips of up to 90 days
- Personal Accident Cover for bodily injury or accidental death (up to £1,000)
Third Party Fire & Theft All of the above, plus:
- Loss or damage to your motorcycle following a fire or theft
- 3 year guarantee on all repairs carried out by our approved repairers
Comprehensive All of the above, plus:
- Loss or damage to your motorcycle if it is accidentally damaged
| MCE Policy Features & Benefits | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loss or damage to your motorcycle (including accidental or malicious damage and vandalism cover) | Yes | Fire & Theft Only | n/a |
| Key Cover (up to £350) | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| Liability to third parties | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Continental use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Accident Cover Level 1 (Up to £1,000) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Accident Cover Level 1 (Up to £5,000) | Optional (+£77.97) | ||
| Courtesy Bike Cover Level 1 (125cc vehicle for up to 48 hours) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Courtesy Bike Cover Level 2 (650cc vehicle for up to 14 days) | Optional (+£77.28) | ||
| Helmet and Leather Cover Level 1 (Max cover £750/£250 excess) | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| Helmet and Leather Cover Level 2 (Max cover £1,000/£100 excess) | Optional (+£67.25) | ||
| Breakdown - Local | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Breakdown - National | Optional (+£55.88) | ||
| Breakdown - National and Homestart | Optional (+£65.85) | ||
| Legal Expenses Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guaranteed no claim bonus | Optional extra | ||
| Riding other motorcycles not owned by you or hired to you | Optional extra | ||
| Excess reducer cover (paying 50% of the excess value) | Optional extra | ||
MCE Roadside Assistance & Accident Recovery
What do you get with the roadside assistance included on all MCE motorbike insurance policies? In the event of a breakdown MCE will arrange and pay for a recovery operator to attend the breakdown and spend up to 60 minutes to try and repair the vehicle. If they're unable to repair the vehicle within an hour at the roadside you'll be recovered to the nearest suitable garage within 20 miles. If that's not possible they'll arrange for recovery to your chosen destination up to 20 miles from the scene of the breakdown.
If your vehicle is not drivable following an accident they'll arrange and pay for your vehicle and you to be recovered to the nearest approved repairer (within 20 miles of the accident). If that's not possible, they'll arrange for your bike, you and any passenger to be transported to your chosen destination up to 20 miles from the scene of the accident. They'll also arrange delivery of the vehicle back to you following repair, provided that the cost is reasonable, and the address is within the geographical limits.
What is not insured by MCE Assistance?
MCE will not cover any breakdown which occurs at your home address, any roadside breakdown which occurs less than 2 miles from your home address or the cost of any parts supplied. Nor will they cover claims for Accident Recovery if you vehicle is drivable after an accident. Regarding legal expenses cover, there are a number of exclusions including where there's a known third party deemed at fault or where there isn't a reasonable prospect of recovery.
MCE Bike Insurance Extra Coverages
While MCE includes many features as standard, there are additional coverages available should you need them. For instance, if you're planning a trip through Europe you may be interested in the European breakdown assistance to help you in case of a breakdown on the continent. Details of MCE optional extras are in the table below.
Optional MCE Covers available
- Guaranteed no claims bonus irrespective of the number of claims you make in the policy period
- Riding other motorcycles not owned by you or hired to you
- Excess reducer cover (paying 50% of the excess value)
- National Recovery Cover – UK
- National Recovery & Home Assist Cover – UK
- European Breakdown assistance
MCE Bike Insurance Discounts
MCE offers discounts on bike insurance that are pretty standard across the motorcycle insurance market, mostly related to safe driving history and bike security. For instance, storing your bike in a secured garage instead of on a public road can save you around 30% on comprehensive cover, depending on other details of your application. Here are some MCE motorcycle insurance discounts:
| MCE Bike Insurance Discounts | How Do You Earn It? |
|---|---|
| Where You Park | Keeping your bike in a secure garage while it's not being ridden should lower your rate |
| Driving Record | If you're a good driver, don't speed and don't have any motoring convictions, you might save 20% or more |
| No Claims | If you don't have any claims, your motorcycle quote should be lower |
| Bike Security | Extra locks or an alarm on your bike might lock in a discount, but not always |
| Multibike Insurance | If you have more than one bike, you'll usually save money by insuring them together, rather than separately |
MCE Scooter and Moped Insurance
MCE's scooter and moped insurance is offered under its motorcycle insurance. If you're searching for scooter and moped insurance, consider a MCE motorcycle insurance policy if you want a cheap rate. You'll have access to the same discounts and features mentioned above in the motorcycle section.
MCE Bike Insurance Quotes
MCE's bike insurance quotes were low to average compared to its competitors overall. But as you can see in the following table, you'll pay a much lower standard excess with other insurers, should you need to claim.
MCE also stands out for low rates for young people in many cases. In fact, for those aged 25 years old, MCE quotes were the cheapest in our recent study.
MCE also is known for competitive rates for those with a conviction or accident, even if the accident was your fault.
MCE Car Insurance
MCE no longer offers car insurance.
MCE Customer Reviews, Complaints and Ratings
Customers should expect decent customer service overall from MCE—real customers have awarded them with 3.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. There are some customer complaints related to cancellation fees, long wait times for customer service or claims, and other issues. Despite this the company generally earns positive marks from customers on various review sites.
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.