Motorcycle cover essential as spring comes
Personal insurance
18th March 2010
As the evenings lengthen and the weather starts to warm up, motorcycle owners are advised of the importance of having effective insurance in place. More bikes will be taking to the roads as conditions improve this spring and the clocks going forward prompts people to don their leathers for leisure rides.
Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd. is urging motorcyclists to check policies carefully before taking to the UK's highways this season and ensure they have full comprehensive cover in case of accident or injury. Data released recently by the Department for Transport as part of its new THINK! motorcycles strategy indicate bikers are 16 times more likely than motorists to be injured as a result of serious or fatal crashes.
With a total of 5,556 motorcycle riders seriously injured and 493 killed in 2008, good cover is more important than ever, as such incidents are out of proportion with the presence of bikers on UK roads, with collisions involving other vehicles at junctions posing an especial risk.
This is not intended to take the shine off a sunny evening trip out on a motorbike and Giles Insurance Group Personal Lines Director Susan Young said: "The spring is starting and many bikers will be taking to the roads and enjoying the freedom two wheels can offer. However, with motorcyclists accounting for a rate of injury that is substantially disproportionate to their presence on the road, it is vital that the right insurance policy is secured before hitting the highway.
"Speaking to a specialist broker can ensure that in the event something goes wrong, cover is available to repair machines and address any injuries sustained, leaving motorcyclists free to concentrate on enjoying their hobby as the weather warms up."
In the UK, motorcyclists comprise one per cent of total road traffic, but 19 per cent of all road user deaths. The THINK! motorcycles strategy is intended to reduce this figure by promoting awareness among bikers and drivers of the risks. Motorists are urged to pay more attention to the road and to look out for motorcyclists, while those travelling by bike are encouraged to take steps that will manage and reduce the level of personal risk they are exposed to.
There are a number of things that bikers can do to reduce the threat of them being forced to make an insurance claim such as taking extra care at junctions, slowing for bends, considering overtaking decisions carefully, securing their machine when it is not in use, looking out for hazardous road surfaces and being aware of when they might be in a vehicle's blind spot.
Operating since 1967, private clients team at Giles Insurance has access to policies and products from some of the leading UK insurers. Motorcyclists can contact the company to discuss their specific needs with an expert adviser.
