Bike Going into Storage? Check Your Insurance Before You Lock Up
Storing Your Motorcycle for Winter? Don't Overlook Your Insurance
For many motorcycle owners, the arrival of autumn means fewer opportunities to ride and the prospect of putting the bike away until spring.
Whether your motorcycle is a cherished classic, a modern sports bike or something you enjoy riding throughout the warmer months, preparing it properly for winter is an important part of ownership.
Cleaning the bike, protecting it from moisture and maintaining the battery are all familiar tasks. However, there's another aspect of winter preparation that deserves attention: your motorcycle insurance.
Even when a bike isn't being ridden, it can still be exposed to theft, fire, flooding and other unexpected events. And changes to where it's stored or how it's secured could affect your insurance arrangements.
At Peter Best Insurance Services, we arrange specialist motorcycle insurance and understand that the requirements can vary depending on the bike, its value and the way it's used.
Before putting your motorcycle away for the colder months, here are some important insurance considerations worth checking.
Does your insurer have the correct storage address?
When you arrange motorcycle insurance, your insurer will usually ask where the vehicle is normally kept overnight.
This could be a locked garage, a driveway, a communal parking area or the road outside your home.
However, your usual arrangements might change during winter.
Perhaps you're moving your bike from your driveway into a relative's garage, renting space at a specialist storage facility or keeping it at another property until spring.
Even if the new location appears to offer greater security, it's important not to assume your existing insurance arrangements will automatically remain unchanged.
The storage location can form part of the information used by an insurer to assess the risk.
If you're planning to move your motorcycle somewhere different, contact your insurer or broker before making the change.
They can confirm whether your policy needs updating and whether any additional requirements apply.
The same principle applies if your usual garage is no longer available and the motorcycle will instead be kept outside.
Make sure the information recorded on your policy accurately reflects where your motorcycle is being stored.
Check the security requirements in your policy
Motorcycle insurance policies can contain specific conditions relating to security.
Depending on the motorcycle, its value and storage arrangements, your insurer might require particular security measures, including an approved lock, immobiliser, alarm, tracking device or ground anchor.
However, simply owning the required equipment may not be enough.
Your policy could specify that certain devices must be fitted, operational and used whenever the motorcycle is left unattended.
For example, a bike stored inside a locked garage might still need to be attached to a ground anchor if that is a condition of the policy.
A tracking device may require an active subscription, while an alarm might need regular maintenance to remain operational.
Could failing to meet a security condition affect a claim?
Potentially, yes.
If a motorcycle is stolen and a relevant security condition hasn't been met, the insurer may consider this when assessing the claim.
However, failing to meet a condition doesn't automatically mean every claim will be rejected.
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that when considering disputes about vehicle theft, it looks at whether security requirements were made clear, whether they were met and whether any failure made a difference to the theft.
The outcome will depend on the circumstances and the individual policy terms.
Before storing your motorcycle, review your policy schedule and endorsements carefully.
If you're uncertain about any requirements, contact your insurer or broker for clarification.
Is your garage suitable for insurance purposes?
A garage can provide useful protection against theft and the elements, but not every structure will necessarily meet an insurer's definition of a garage.
A purpose-built, lockable building might be treated differently from a wooden shed, temporary structure or shared underground parking facility.
If your insurance specifies that your motorcycle must be garaged, check exactly what this means.
It's also worth establishing when the requirement applies.
Some policies require a motorcycle to be kept in a garage overnight at the insured address, while others may impose conditions whenever the motorcycle is at that location and not being used.
The Financial Ombudsman Service confirms that garaging conditions are common in motorcycle insurance and that insurers should adequately highlight them when the policy is sold.
Before putting your motorcycle away, consider whether the storage area is being used in accordance with your policy.
Check that doors and locks are working correctly, that required security devices are being used and that keys are kept securely.
If you're unsure whether a particular building or storage facility meets your insurer's requirements, seek clarification before leaving the motorcycle there.
Should you keep your motorcycle insured while it's off the road?
If you're not planning to use your motorcycle for several months, you might consider cancelling your insurance.
However, the absence of road use doesn't mean your motorcycle is free from risk.
A stationary bike could still be stolen, vandalised or damaged by fire, flooding or severe weather.
It could also be damaged by falling objects, another vehicle or an attempted theft.
Whether these events are covered will depend on the protection provided by your particular insurance policy and any applicable terms, conditions and exclusions.
Cancelling insurance removes the protection provided by that policy and could also affect your no-claims discount or other benefits, depending on your insurer's arrangements.
Before making any changes, contact your insurer or broker to understand the implications.
What if you declare your motorcycle SORN?
If you decide to stop taxing and insuring your motorcycle while keeping it off public roads, you'll generally need to make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
In Great Britain, a motorcycle kept off public roads with a valid SORN doesn't need insurance under the continuous insurance enforcement rules. Northern Ireland has different arrangements.
A motorcycle declared SORN must remain off public roads, apart from limited permitted journeys such as travelling to or from a pre-booked vehicle test.
A SORN cannot be backdated, and you must tax the vehicle again before returning it to normal road use.
You can read the full requirements in the Government's official SORN guidance.
Importantly, a SORN is a declaration to the DVLA, not an insurance policy.
It doesn't provide any financial protection if your motorcycle is subsequently stolen or damaged.
Have you made any modifications to your motorcycle?
Winter is often a convenient time to carry out motorcycle projects.
You might be planning to replace an exhaust, upgrade the suspension, fit heated grips or make cosmetic changes before the next riding season.
If you're restoring an older motorcycle, the work could involve replacing several components or making changes to its original specification.
Before carrying out modifications, check your policy requirements and contact your insurer or broker about any changes that need to be disclosed.
Don't assume that a modification is irrelevant simply because it doesn't increase performance.
Cosmetic alterations can affect a motorcycle's value, desirability or repair costs, while mechanical changes may alter its specification or the risk presented.
The insurer will need accurate information to establish whether the changes are acceptable and whether the existing policy remains appropriate.
Are your accessories insured?
It's also worth reviewing the protection available for additional equipment.
Panniers, luggage systems, intercoms and other accessories may be subject to specific limits or exclusions.
Some policies may distinguish between permanently fitted accessories and removable equipment.
Don't assume that every item attached to your motorcycle is automatically covered for its full replacement value.
Keep receipts for modifications and accessories, together with photographs showing your motorcycle's condition and specification.
These records can be helpful when establishing the equipment fitted and its value if you subsequently need to make a claim.
Keep your motorcycle keys and documents secure
Good motorcycle security extends beyond locks and alarms.
Where you store your keys can be just as important.
Avoid leaving the main key or spare keys near external doors, windows or other easily accessible locations.
If your motorcycle uses a keyless ignition system, follow the manufacturer's recommendations and consider appropriate protection against relay theft where relevant.
It's also important to check whether your insurance policy contains any specific conditions relating to key security.
The Financial Ombudsman Service identifies disputes involving missing keys, keys allegedly left in vehicles and theft exclusions among the issues it considers when reviewing motor insurance complaints.
Important documents should be stored securely, too.
Keep your V5C registration document, purchase receipts and security certificates somewhere safe rather than leaving them with the motorcycle.
Maintaining accurate records can also make it easier to provide information if you subsequently need to make a claim.
Don't forget to check on your motorcycle
Once your bike has been cleaned, secured and prepared for winter, it's tempting to leave it untouched until spring.
However, problems can develop while a motorcycle is in storage.
Water might enter the garage, a protective cover could become loose or a battery maintainer might stop working.
Rodents can damage wiring, tyres can gradually lose pressure and signs of attempted entry might remain unnoticed.
Checking your motorcycle and its storage area periodically can help you identify problems before they become more serious.
Pay attention to the condition of the bike, its security devices and any equipment that needs to remain operational.
If your motorcycle is stored at another address, agree who will inspect it and how often.
It's also worth reviewing the security arrangements throughout winter.
A valuable motorcycle stored beneath a cover isn't necessarily hidden from someone who has seen it being moved into the building.
Regular checks can help ensure that your storage arrangements remain suitable throughout the colder months.
Your Motorcycle Winter Storage Insurance Checklist
Before locking your motorcycle away for the season, take a few minutes to check that:
Your insurer has the correct storage address.
Your storage building meets any relevant policy requirements.
All required security devices are fitted, operational and being used.
Your insurance remains suitable while the motorcycle is off the road.
Any changes or modifications have been disclosed as required.
You understand whether a SORN declaration is necessary.
Your keys and important documents are stored securely.
You've arranged periodic checks throughout winter.
Your policy schedule and endorsements should explain the requirements that apply to your particular motorcycle.
If anything is unclear or your circumstances have changed, contact your insurer or broker before putting the bike away.
Protecting Your Motorcycle Throughout Winter
Preparing your motorcycle for winter is about more than keeping it clean and maintaining the battery.
The arrangements you make for storage, security and insurance can be just as important.
Checking these details before the bike is put away can help identify potential problems and reduce the risk of complications if you need to make a claim.
At Peter Best Insurance Services, we understand that motorcycles come in many forms, from cherished classics to modern performance machines, and that owners have different requirements.
Whatever you ride, make sure your insurance details accurately reflect your motorcycle and how it's being kept.
A little attention now could make returning to the road in spring a much more enjoyable experience.
