Can I get insurance for French motorbike at my second home? 

Reader Question: Are there insurance companies that would cover a non-EU driving licence holder for a French motorbike at a second home?

 The short answer is yes, because in France motor vehicle insurance is attached to the vehicle and not to the policyholder or driver.

This means you should be able to insure the bike for the minimum required third-party damage, and ride it, as long as your licence allows you to legally ride in France.

Most major insurance companies have policies for motorbikes – but the high prices they charged led to the establishment, 42 years ago, of a company called Mutuelle des Motards specifically to provide lower-priced insurance for bikers.

It was founded as a co-operative insurance company by 40,000 foundation members, and rapidly gained 15% of the market, driving down motorbike insurance costs generally as a result.

Basic motorbike insurance in France can be relatively cheap – at around €90 a year for a small 125cc bike.

But for that price you get third-party insurance, and breakdown help as an extra, and nothing else.

Motorbike insurance quotes

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If you want insurance for the rider, and not just for third parties, and for more powerful motorbikes, the price rises.

Obviously each insurance quote is individual, but the Mutuelle des Motards gave a figure of between €210 and €300 a year for a rider with 10 years’ big bike experience, who has not had any accidents in which he was to blame, and who wants insurance for an old 750cc.

For that you get varying levels of help if the worst happens and you are hurt, including a payment of death insurance, which should cover funeral costs.

Unlike most car insurance policies in France, where driver insurance is usually only valid for people named in the contract, rider insurance from Mutuelle des Motards is attached to the bike, so if you lend the bike to someone, the rider will be covered to the same level as if you were driving it.

Unfortunately, the firm does not give monthly rates – like car and other motorbike insurance, contracts are annual.

You might find your UK insurance will cover you for personal injury while riding abroad, so you could insure the bike for the minimum legal third-party cover required in France and trust in the UK policy for your personal insurance.

Note as well that while there are no obstacles to having your vehicle insured in France with a non-EU licence, companies are free to reject you on this basis if they wish.

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