AXA exits the motorcycle insurance market: Is your renewal affected?

In March 2024, AXA officially exited the motorcycle insurance market. Because it has now been two years since their withdrawal, all legacy AXA-underwritten motorcycle policies have fully expired. Any rider who was previously covered by an AXA policy has already had to transition to a new underwriter to remain legally on the road.

Previously, AXA underwrote motorcycle insurance policies sold by brokers in the UK; AXA didn't sell motorcycle insurance policies directly to consumers. Those needing a renewal can contact their existing broker or get quote via NimbleFins below. The comparison panel includes Bikesure, Devitt, Lexham and Carole Nash, among others—all companies that have confirmed they can still offer cover despite AXA's exit:

Because AXA was such a large player, there was initial concern that brokers specializing in motorcycles would struggle to source cover for their customers. Fortunately, the market has stabilized by 2026 as other underwriters stepped in to absorb the capacity, though average premiums have settled at a noticeably higher baseline.

AXA wasn't the only big underwriter to leave the UK motorcycle insurance market during that period of industry contraction—back in July 2023, Zurich stopped writing bike policies, and Zenith subsequently stopped writing policies for high-risk machines like the Vespa GTS.

Why did AXA exit the motorcycle insurance market?

In December 2023, Alan Zweibrucker became the new retail chief executive, and in January 2024 Matt Field took up the role of retail intermediaries director. Shortly after these personal changes, in February 2024 it was announced that AXA was exiting the motorcycle insurance market.

Looking back from 2026, Erin Yurday, Founder of NimbleFins, adds: "As we predicted when AXA left in 2024, the reduced appetite in the marketplace made it much easier for remaining competitors to raise prices, leading to the surge in premiums we saw throughout 2024 and 2025. While the initial shock of forced renewals has passed and the market has finally stabilized in 2026, the days of ultra-cheap motorcycle cover are largely behind us. Riders must now rely heavily on comparison panels to combat these higher baseline prices and find the most competitive underwriters for their specific bike models."

If you're unable to renew your AXA motorcycle insurance policy, we can help you compare alternative quotes below: