How Much is Moped Insurance? What to Know About Costs

How much is moped insurance? There are quite a few things that affect its price, such as the type of licence you have, your preferred level of cover, your location, and even your moped itself.

In this article, we’ll discuss the various factors that might drive your moped insurance cost up or down. We’ll also talk about the different levels of cover available, as well as any coverage add-ons, so you can decide which one is right for you.

How much does moped insurance cost?

Generally speaking, moped insurance costs less than motorbike insurance. That’s because a moped’s 50cc engine size is smaller and less powerful than the larger engines on a full-sized bike, making mopeds lower and possibly easier to repair and maintain.

The reality, however, is that the actual moped insurance cost depends on various reasons, such as:

You and the type of licence you have: Prior riding experience could help drive your premiums down; the same applies if you have a full motorcycle licence instead of just Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). That’s because insurers consider having a full licence and experience as a sign that you’ll be less risky on the road.
Your moped itself (modifications, security options): Anything extra on your moped might cause your insurance premium to fluctuate. For example, if you added cosmetic alterations to your moped, this could cause your insurance costs to go up. On the other hand, if you have an alarm or a tracking device for your moped, you could see a lower insurance premium as a result.
Your preferred level of cover: The minimum legal requirement for insuring a moped (or any other vehicle to be driven on UK roads) is third party only, which covers the cost of damage or injury to third parties. But you may have to pay more if you want to be covered for more, like theft or fire damage.
Your location: Living in an area with higher crime rates could cause you to pay more because there’s a higher risk to your moped. You could try to counteract this by installing security options, such as an alarm or a ground anchor, or storing your moped in a locked location instead of parking it on the road.
How you’re paying your premium: Insurance policies are cheaper when paid in full for the year. Although monthly payments can be more convenient, there’s usually an interest charge added to the monthly bill.
Any voluntary excess you have on your policy: Policies with little to no voluntary excess can have higher premium costs. You might be able to save money by increasing your voluntary excess, but you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs before your insurance cover kicks in when filing a claim.
Any additional coverage extras: Insurers typically offer additional coverage add-ons, such as pillion cover or helmet and leathers cover. Although you’re not required to get them, these add-ons extend coverage beyond what’s typically covered—for a fee.

Make your search easier by getting a moped insurance quote from The Bike Insurer. With access to insurance quotes from dozens of specialist insurers, you’ll be sure to find a suitable policy that fits your budget. Compare quotes online or over the phone.

How much is moped insurance for a 16-year-old in the UK?

We’ve crunched the numbers from the thousands of quotes we provide each year to 16 year-olds looking for moped insurance. Between January and August 2024, the average premium paid for a 16 year-old riding a motorcycle up to 50cc was £612 for a year.

That compares to the average premium paid of £343 for anyone over 16 on the same size engine. As you can see, insurers perceive younger riders, particularly 16 year-olds, who have little to no experience as a high risk, hence the insurance premium being on average 78% higher!

Is it cheaper to insure a moped than a car?

As a general rule, it’s usually cheaper to insure a moped than a car. That’s because a moped is limited to 50cc, so they can’t go as fast as cars. 50cc mopeds also have a smaller engine size that’s easier to maintain and repair in the event of an accident.

However, there may be some cases where moped insurance can cost nearly as much as car insurance. Being a young rider, having a modified moped, and opting for coverage add-ons are just a few ways a moped insurance cost could increase.

What types of moped insurance are available?

There are three different types of moped insurance available, with each one offering different levels of coverage (and therefore, different prices):

Third party only (TPO): This is the minimum legal requirement to be considered “road-legal.” TPO covers damage and injury to a third party in case of an accident, but it doesn’t cover damage and injury to yourself.
Third party, fire, and theft (TPFT): TPFT insurance offers the same level of coverage as third party only insurance but also covers your costs due to fire or theft.
Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive coverage is the highest level of coverage you can get for your moped and the most expensive (before any add-ons). It covers damage and injury costs for yourself and a third party in case of an accident, along with any related expenses due to fire or theft.

You can also get optional add-ons for your moped insurance. What’s available will depend on the insurer, but some of the more common ones are:

Do mopeds need insurance in the UK?

Because 50cc mopeds are classed as motorcycles, the owner has a legal requirement to keep at least third party only (TPO) insurance as a minimum level of cover—even if not in use. That rule is called Continuous Insurance Enforcement, and violating it could result in one or more of the following:

A fixed penalty
Seizure or clamping of your moped
Court prosecution and a fine

The only time you don’t have to insure your moped is if you’re taking it off the road. You can do this by applying for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) with the DVLA online, over the phone, or by post. Once your SORN is approved, you can keep your moped in your garage or storage without having to insure it.

What if I ride my moped uninsured?

Riding a moped uninsured will not only put you in violation of UK driving laws, but it could also land you one with a fixed penalty, and/or penalty points on your licence, and/or seizure or disposal of your moped.

Additionally, if your case goes to court, you could be subject to an unlimited fine (i.e. as much as the court deems appropriate and a driving ban).

If you need to ride your moped to a pre-booked MOT with a valid SORN, you likely won’t have any insurance. In this case, you can get temporary insurance coverage so you can legally travel to and from your MOT testing centre.

Remember that this only applies to mopeds that are at least three years old, so this situation won’t apply to you if you have a newer ride.

In summary: what’s the average moped insurance cost?

There’s no exact science in calculating the average moped insurance cost because it depends on several factors, such as your age, licence type, the actual moped itself, and the level of cover you want. Even your preference in paying can affect the cost of your insurance.

However, there are several things you can do to help lower your moped insurance costs. For example, you could install an alarm or a tracking device on your moped. You could also use a good quality ground anchor and chain to keep your moped safe when not in use.

The best thing you can do is to get a moped insurance quote online or over the phone from The Bike Insurer. One quote will let you compare prices from dozens of different insurance providers so you can get a great deal for your moped insurance.