Motorbike Insurance

Consumers under pressure and looking to cut costs as the credit crunch bites are being warned not to skimp on car and motorbike insurance.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) advised drivers to "be careful" as they look to reduce outgoings, citing motor insurance as an expense "you shouldn't ditch at all".

"We say the priorities are always motor [insurance] because that is a legal requirement," said BIBA technical and corporate affairs executive Graeme Trudgill.

And he warned that even switching to a lower level of cover involved a certain amount of risk, with bikers in danger of leaving themselves out of pocket if they choose third party over comprehensive insurance.

"Potentially if you slip on an icy patch and hit a tree then you won't have cover for damage to your vehicle, so you really would need to have comprehensive insurance," he added.

There are some areas where customers can reduce their outgoings, BIBA advised, with items like mobile phones often covered under home insurance, and expensive five-year warranties "unnecessary" on electrical products that come with a one-year guarantee anyway.

Riders in Gateshead might need to be especially careful not to cut corners on their bike insurance, with the region's Neighbourhood Policing Team reporting a string of recent motorcycle thefts in the area.

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