Motorcycle insurance is of course not cheap, and it is not always clear to policyholders how the premium is calculated. It feels strange to them that another motorcyclist pays less for the same model. This is of course because the cost of motorcycle insurance depends on more than just the value and characteristics of the motorcycle. The deciding factors are set out below. This page describes the situation in the Netherlands.
Chosen cover has a big influence on price
Motorcycle insurance comes with three types of cover, and the more extensive the cover, the more expensive the motorcycle insurance will be. Third-party liability insurance (WA), which only covers liability towards others, will therefore be the cheapest motorcycle insurance. All-risk insurance is the most expensive, while WA + limited casco (third party, fire and theft plus) sits somewhere in between. Of course, all-risk insurance also offers more certainty and remains the recommended option for new motorcycles. The differences between these options are shown below.
| Third-party liability insurance (WA) | WA + limited casco | All-risk insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability for damage caused to others | Insured | Insured | Insured |
| Damage while the motorcycle was parked | Not insured | Insured | Insured |
| Damage caused by natural forces | Not insured | Insured | Insured |
| Damage caused by theft | Not insured | Insured | Insured |
| Damage caused by a collision with animals | Not insured | Insured | Insured |
| Damage caused to your own motorcycle | Not insured | Not insured | Insured |
On top of that, a number of additional types of cover are possible, such as breakdown assistance cover or additional legal expenses insurance. Of course, such additional motorcycle insurance also affects the premium.
Sum insured
With WA + limited casco and all-risk insurance, the amount the insurer has to pay depends on the list price or purchase value of the motorcycle. The more expensive the motorcycle, the more the insurer has to pay. It is therefore logical that this affects the cost of motorcycle insurance.
Excess
Insurers apply a standard excess and often give the insured the choice of voluntarily increasing or lowering the excess within certain minimums and maximums. Lowering the excess naturally results in a higher premium, while the opposite applies to voluntarily increasing the excess.
Number of kilometres ridden
Based on the average number of kilometres per year, the insurer can assess the risk. Anyone who covers more kilometres on the motorcycle will therefore also have to pay more. Does the insured turn out to ride fewer kilometres per year? Then it can pay to tell the insurer, because the premium may then be lower.
Insured period
Some insurers offer the option of insuring only the summer period or of introducing a winter break. During the winter period, the motorcycle is then not insured on the road, but it is insured while in storage. This makes the insurance considerably cheaper straight away. Ask the insurer about the options.
No-claims years
The more no-claims years the insured has, the lower the premium will be. However, the size of the no-claims discount (bonus-malus discount) can differ from insurer to insurer, so that is definitely something to take into account when comparing motorcycle insurance. What may also be of interest is a no-claims protector. In that case, a single claim per year has no effect on the number of no-claims years. On the other hand, such a no-claims protector does result in a higher premium, and another motorcycle insurer will not take it into account. It therefore makes switching to another motorcycle insurer more difficult.
With a number of insurers, the motorcycle can also fall under the second family car scheme (tweede-gezinsautoregeling). In that case, the motorcycle can get the same no-claims discount as the first family car. However, not all insurers allow motorcycles under this second family car scheme.
Age of the insured
The age of the insured is an important factor in determining the cost of motorcycle insurance. A motorcycle already represents a greater risk for the insurer, and the insurer is often very strict when assessing the risk of young or, conversely, older policyholders. Young riders often pay considerably more.
Characteristics of the motorcycle
In addition to the value of the motorcycle, underlying characteristics also play a role. Some heavy motorcycles or sporty models can be assumed to carry a greater risk of claims, which in turn results in a higher premium. For so-called three-wheelers, the opposite reasoning may apply. When it comes to casco insurance, security can also play a role. The presence of a track-and-trace system can then mean that the premium for the motorcycle insurance is lower.
Commercial offers and discounts
Finally, insurers are of course free to set the cost of their insurance. Some insurers charge new policyholders different prices from loyal customers, with the first group able to count on a better price. Other insurers, on the other hand, work with loyalty discounts that specifically reward loyal customers. Also think of package discounts and all kinds of promotions. It shows that comparing motorcycle insurance pays off.
Read also: Switching motorcycle insurance and Saving on motorcycle insurance.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle insurance
May someone else ride my motorcycle?
The policyholder is in principle the main rider of the motorcycle, but an occasional rider may also ride the motorcycle now and then. This person is then simply insured as well. Only when it is not an occasional rider, but someone who uses the motorcycle as much as or even more often than you, must this person be reported to the insurer as a different regular rider.
Does reporting a different regular rider affect my premium?
The premium is recalculated in any case. The details of the different regular rider are then also used to calculate the new premium. If a different regular rider is very young and represents a greater risk, a higher premium is certainly not unusual.
In which countries am I insured with my motorcycle insurance?
This differs from insurer to insurer. The green card (international motor insurance card) always states the countries in which the motorcycle insurance applies. Usually these are the countries of the European Union, but the motorcycle insurance often also applies in a number of other countries around the Mediterranean.
How old do I have to be to take out motorcycle insurance?
Insurers often apply strict acceptance criteria linked to the power of the motorcycle. Some insurers accept 21-year-olds with an A motorcycle licence, but with some insurers you have to be 25 for this.
What other costs are involved with a motorcycle?
Of course, it does not stop at good motorcycle insurance and fuel costs. In 2026, the national rate of motor vehicle tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) for a motorcycle is €31.20 per three months, or €124.80 per year (article 25 of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act 1994 (Wet op de motorrijtuigenbelasting 1994)). According to the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), the amount you actually pay also depends on the province where you live. In addition, you can expect around €300 per year in maintenance costs. A complete motorcycle suit also easily costs €1,000, while a good lock can cost tens to hundreds of euros. You may also need to take into account the cost of renting a lockable garage.