What motorcycle insurance do I need?

Motorcyclists can also include other add-ons in the policy, such as roadside assistance or cover for damage while parked.

2. Third-party liability insurance for motorcycles

To register a motorcycle, you will need to take out third-party liability insurance. This is compulsory. It covers any damage or injury that you cause to third parties with your motorcycle.

4. Which add-ons are recommended?

You can add a range of options to the standard cover. You won’t necessarily need them all.

Accident cover for motorcyclists

The accident cover option protects drivers and passengers against the financial consequences of an accident. Accident insurance is mainly worth taking out if you ride with passengers from abroad who have inadequate accident cover.

Tip: however, if both rider and passenger are resident in Switzerland, this option is usually unnecessary, as both parties are generally covered by their employer or by their health insurance.

Personal effects

The personal effects option covers personal items carried by the rider and the passenger in the event of theft as well as damage in connection with a casco event. Items such as cash, credit cards, securities and jewellery are excluded. Electronic devices, motorcycle clothing and professional tools are not generally included either.

Tip: in the event of theft, your personal effects are often already covered by your home contents insurance. That is why this option is not absolutely necessary. And if your home contents insurance includes accidental damage to household contents, then this option is definitely superfluous.

Motorcycle clothing

You can take out the helmet and motorcycle clothing option to cover accidental damage to motorcycle clothing. Theft cover is also included if the items in question were kept in a locked container or secured using a helmet lock.

Tip: if you already have accidental damage cover through your home contents insurance, you do not need this option.

Damage while parked

The option for damages while parked covers scratches and dents caused by unknown third parties to a parked motorcycle. It sometimes also covers graffiti and spraying damage caused by unknown third parties.

Tip: if you have a new motorcycle and often park it in public parking spaces, you should definitely consider this cover.

Bonus protection

Bonus protection protects you from moving up a bonus level in the premium level system used in liability and casco insurance, after you make the first claim of the year. This prevents your insurance premium from going up the following year. Good to know: some insurers use fixed premiums and do not apply a bonus level system. This means that the premium will not change if you make a claim.

Tip: include this option in your cover. The additional cost of bonus protection is negligible compared with the potential increase in premiums.

Gross negligence cover

If you add gross negligence cover to your policy, the insurer will waive their right to reduce benefits in the event of a grossly negligent violation of traffic rules. Gross negligence in this context includes failing to stop at a stop sign or exceeding the speed limit, for example.

Tip: since the extra cost is usually minimal and grossly negligent violations of traffic rules can happen to anyone, this cover is highly recommended.

Mobility / roadside assistance

This type of insurance provides support in an emergency. Cover varies between insurers, ranging from breakdown services and vehicle repatriation to accommodation and return journey for the vehicle users.

If loss of use is included in the policy, it will also cover the cost of a courtesy vehicle or provide one for you. Important: the maximum sum insured is usually limited.

Tip: if you are a member of Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) or are already covered under a travel roadside assistance policy, you can do without this cover. Otherwise, it’s worth adding it to your policy. Important: some insurers automatically include this cover in their insurance.

Waiver of suspension

The waiver of suspension option allows motorcyclists to avoid having to deposit their number plates during the winter months. Although insurance premiums still have to be paid for the full year, you usually get a premium discount of 25-30%.

Tip: whether a waiver of suspension is worthwhile must be considered on an individual basis. If you do not ride your motorbike at all during the autumn and winter months, you are better off depositing your number plates.

Replacement value supplement

Vehicles lose value quickly, especially in the first few years. If your motorcycle is written off, the difference between the purchase price and the payout can be enormous. With the replacement value supplement, insurers cushion these differences and pay you more in the event of a write-off than your motorcycle is actually worth at the time of the accident.

Some insurance policies automatically include a replacement value supplement, while others specify different degrees of compensation in the event of a write-off. Ask your insurance company about the benefits paid out in the event of a write-off or check the general insurance conditions.

Tip: a replacement value supplement is worth taking out for almost all vehicles. The difference in the compensation you will receive is considerable, particularly for older vehicles. It pays to compare.

Extended glass breakage cover

Damage to windows (e.g. windscreens) is usually covered by casco insurance. However, other glass or glass-like components are usually excluded. Examples include the headlights or tail lights. You can also insure these parts by adding extended glass breakage cover to your policy.

Tip: extended glass breakage insurance is especially worth considering if your motorcycle has expensive headlights (e.g. LED headlights).

5. Summary

The cost of these add-ons and the specific cover they offer can vary quite considerably depending on the insurer and the policy. Therefore, be sure to obtain several quotes and compare them carefully.