Partial casco insurance for motorcycles: is it worthwhile?
Motorcycle partial casco insurance covers damage such as theft, marten bites or vandalism. Find out more about benefits and costs here.
19.03.2024
iStock/Mor65
1. Partial casco insurance for motorcycles: what is it?
Partial casco insurance is optional for motorcycles. It pays for the repair costs of damage that you did not cause yourself. This includes damage to the motorcycle caused by animals, storms or vandalism.
Motorcycle liability insurance is mandatory
In Switzerland, only motorcycle liability insurance is mandatory. Partial casco and full casco are voluntary. The premiums and benefits sometimes vary greatly depending on the provider, so it’s always worth comparing.
Overview of motorcycle insurance models
Here are the differences between liability, partial casco and full casco insurance policies.
Note: the graphic is interactive.
2. Partial casco insurance for motorcycles: what benefits do I get?
| Insured event | Description of cover |
|---|---|
| Theft | Damage, loss or destruction caused by:
|
| Damage from natural hazards |
|
| Fire |
|
| Glass damage | Breakage of vehicle parts made of glass or glass substitutes (exclusions are possible depending on the provider) |
| Collision with animals | Crashes with animals |
| Vandalism | Examples of maliciously inflicted damage:
|
| Marten damage |
|
Note: check the exact cover in the general insurance conditions of your insurance company. Depending on the insurance company, there are differences in benefits.
Will partial casco insurance pay if my motorcycle is stolen?
In the context of partial casco insurance, theft is considered total loss. You will receive compensation for this. The amount of compensation varies from one provider to another. Important: did you fail to lock or secure your motorcycle properly? Then you may not receive any money from your insurer in the event of theft.
3. What add-ons are available for motorcycle partial casco insurance?
In addition to the basic cover provided by partial casco insurance, other add-ons are available.
Popular insurance add-ons include, for example:
Personal belongings (items carried in the vehicle)
Damage while parked
Some providers may require you to take out full casco insurance in order to be able to select add-ons.
4. How much does partial casco insurance for motorcycles cost?
Partial casco insurance can only be taken out alongside liability insurance. Among other things, the costs depend on:
Driver (e.g. age, nationality, driving behaviour)
Type and age of the motorcycle
Place of residence
Chosen deductible
Any add-ons
Cost of motorcycle partial casco insurance: examples
Partial casco for a scooter
Insurance package: third-party liability + partial casco for a 50 cc scooter
| Insured scooter | Piaggio Vespa 50 Primavera Scooter 3 HP |
|---|---|
| Deductible for partial casco | CHF 300 |
| Annual premium | From approx. CHF 81 per year |
Scenario 1. Vehicle registered shortly before the start of the policy (new scooter); overnight parking: garage; place of residence: 8004 Zurich; age of driver: 39 years; driving licence since 2005; nationality: Swiss. Source: Comparis, as at March 2024.
Partial casco insurance for a motorcycle
Insurance package: third-party liability + partial casco for a 689 cc motorcycle
| Insured motorcycle | Yamaha XSR 700 Naked Bike 73 HP |
|---|---|
| Deductible for partial casco | CHF 300 |
| Annual premium | From approx. CHF 146 per year |
Scenario 1. Vehicle registered shortly before the start of the policy (new motorcycle), overnight parking garage; place of residence: 8004 Zurich; age of driver: 39 years; driving licence since 2005; nationality: Swiss. Source: Comparis, as at March 2024.
5. Partial casco insurance for motorcycles: is it worthwhile?
There is no general rule as to when partial casco insurance for motorcycles makes sense. The following factors are important when deciding:
How much the motorcycle is worth.
Your personal budget.
The age of the motorcycle.
The rule of thumb for vehicle age is: partial casco insurance makes sense up to seven years after the first registration.
This article was first published on 14.05.2018
