Bennetts Biking Services

Bennetts FAQs

  • Top Questions
  • Financial Conduct Authority – Fair Pricing Rules
  • Financial Concerns
  • Useful Contact Information
  • Opening Hours
  • Bennetts Car Insurance
  • Riding Abroad
  • BikeSocial Membership
  • Getting a Quote
  • Classic Bike
  • No Claims Discount (NCD)
  • Bike Licenses
  • Validation letters
  • Cover and Policy Information
  • Extra Cover
  • Payment Methods
  • General Payment Queries
  • Payment by instalments
  • Cancellations and Adjustments
  • Renewals
  • Claims
  • Complaints
Top Questions

We'd like to help you, and there are a number of ways that you can contact us.

We may have answered your questions already on this FAQ page, but if you have more specific queries about our products and services including any policy enquiries, please contact us via webchat or call in to speak to one of our experienced agents who will be happy to help you.

We know that our customers have different needs, and may require additional support in contacting us, or making use of the services that we offer.

We are continuously trying to improve our service and accessibility, so please do not hesitate to make our agents aware of any support that you may require, and we will do what we can to assist you. Rest assured, any personal information provided will be treated with the upmost care and held securely.

Webchat

If you have a general enquiry about our products and services including any policy enquiries, please contact us via webchat by selecting the icon below:

webchat_icon

 


Our friendly team are on hand to help you with the following:

  • Answering policy related questions
  • Answering insurance related queries (quotes, new business, and renewals)
  • Responding to queries relating to:
  • MyAccount registration
  • Accessing BikeSocial Membership 
  • Your documents

Useful numbers

  • Customer Service for Insurance: 0344 412 2171
  • Making a claim:  0330 018 9166
  • RAC Breakdown:  0330 332 8465
  • Calling from Republic of Ireland: 1 800 535 005 (free phone) 
  • Calling from the Rest of Europe :  00 33 472 43 52 55
Please give our friendly team a ring on 0344 412 2171 to let us know about the change and we’ll update our system so your policy is bang up to date.

Your premium may increase or decrease as a result of the change you are making, and we’ll let you know this at the time. You will be charged a policy amendment fee of £32.

Please see the “About Your Insurance Services” document for further detail regarding any fees for our services.
If you wish to cancel your policy more than 14 days after receiving your policy documentation Bennetts will charge you a fee of £50 and the insurer will refund a percentage of the premium calculated on a pro-rata basis equivalent to the period of cover left unused, providing no claims have been made. If a claim has been made, or there has been an incident which may lead to a claim, no refund will be given and all premiums would be due.
Yes we do, we call it a multibike policy and we can insure up to 6 bikes on the same policy. It mostly works out cheaper to insure all your bikes on the same policy and it saves on paperwork!

When your policy approaches the end of its 12-month term, you’ll be given the opportunity to renew your cover with us for another year.

To make it as simple as possible for you we will search our panel of insurers to find you our lowest quote based on the information  you have provided. To ensure you have the opportunity to review and assess your new quote, we will contact you around 28 days before your renewal date with details of the renewal premium that we can offer you .  All you need to do is simply check your details are still correct. Please let us know if anything needs updating or you want to change your level of cover/additional options.

If you have automatic renewal switched off

If you have opted out of automatic renewal but you’d like to take up your renewal offer  with us, providing your information including payment details have not changed, you can now use MyAccount  to turn automatic renewal on, and your renewal will be processed automatically. If all your details are the same, this saves you having to give us a call.

If there has been a change to some of your details or you want to renew your policy over the phone, you can contact our friendly UK-based team via webchat or on 0344 412 2171.
If we don’t hear from you, we’ll assume you don’t want to renew, and your policy will end.

If you have automatic renewal switched on

If you are happy with your renewal offer and you are opted into automatic renewal, your policy will be automatically renewed on your renewal date using the payment details that we hold for you.  These details will be clearly stated on your renewal letter. Automatic renewal aims to save you time and helps ensure you have continuous insurance, so you don’t unknowingly ride uninsured.

If you’ve received your renewal and want to discuss things, please call our friendly team on 0344 412 2171 before your renewal date. 

Automatic renewal – You’re in control

You can check your automatic renewal status at any time in MyAccount and you can make a change to your automatic renewal settings at any point in the duration of your policy.

So if you’re happy with your renewal offer and your details are the same, simply check your automatic renewal is switched on and you can have peace of mind, knowing you’ll continue to be insured with our 5 Star Defaqto rated insurance.

 
Getting an alarm fitted can reduce insurance premiums quite significantly. Making sure the bike is garaged at night also contributes to a lower insurance premium. If you have an advanced riding qualification you may also get a discount.

Yes but you will need two separate motorcycle insurance policies.

You can insure up to 6 bikes on the same policy, however the cover relates to the policy and not the individual bikes.

This can vary depending on the type of bike as Bennetts also cover modern classics, however broadly speaking older bikes need to be at least 15 years old.
No sorry, only motorcycle no claims bonus can be used.
A BikeSocial membership is exclusive and free for all our customers who buy their bike insurance directly from Bennetts. Membership can also be purchased with an annual subscription. 


To view the complete list of BikeSocial FAQs, please click here.
Financial Conduct Authority – Fair Pricing Rules

The FCA are a financial regulatory body, regulating financial firms that provide products to customers, to maintain the integrity of markets in the UK. For more information visit: https://www.fca.org.uk/

The new rules that came into effect on 1 January 2022 , ensure that renewing home and motor insurance customers are quoted prices that are no more than they would be quoted as an equivalent new customer, with the same risk profile, through the same channel. They also make it easier for customers to commence, or stop, automatic renewals, if they wish to do so, and enhance the rules regarding product governance, to ensure that insurance products deliver fair value to customers.

The changes in regulations affect all insurance providers of motor and home insurance. The changes for our customers mean that:

  • if you're already a motorbike insurance customer, your renewal price will be the same as, or lower than, an equivalent price for a new customer with the same risk profile, through the same channel.
  • you'll have the ability to opt out of auto-renewal at any point during your contract period.
  • for a customer who pays by instalments, it is now clearly stated that the cost of the insurance will be higher if you pay monthly, than if you pay annually.

Yes. Insurers may offer different prices; due to the process they use to calculate risk. However, all home and motor insurers will have to make sure that the renewal prices for their customers are the same as, or cheaper than, the equivalent price for a new customer with the same risk profile, through the same channel.

Financial Concerns

If you're experiencing financial difficulty, we have some options we can explore that may help you during this difficult time, such as:

  • Reassessing your risk profile which may result in a premium reduction
  • Reassessing your demands and needs to ensure your product is still suitable
  • Reviewing payment plans available
  • Payment deferrals

If you do need support, please call our Customer Service agents on 0344 412 2171 and we will help find the best solution for you.

 

Useful Contact Information

We'd like to help you, and there are a number of ways that you can contact us.

We may have answered your questions already on this FAQ page, but if you have more specific queries about our products and services including any policy enquiries, please contact us via webchat or call in to speak to one of our experienced agents who will be happy to help you.

We know that our customers have different needs, and may require additional support in contacting us, or making use of the services that we offer.

We are continuously trying to improve our service and accessibility, so please do not hesitate to make our agents aware of any support that you may require, and we will do what we can to assist you. Rest assured, any personal information provided will be treated with the upmost care and held securely.

Webchat

If you have a general enquiry about our products and services including any policy enquiries, please contact us via webchat by selecting the icon below:

webchat_icon

 


Our friendly team are on hand to help you with the following:

  • Answering policy related questions
  • Answering insurance related queries (quotes, new business, and renewals)
  • Responding to queries relating to:
  • MyAccount registration
  • Accessing BikeSocial Membership 
  • Your documents

Useful numbers

  • Customer Service for Insurance: 0344 412 2171
  • Making a claim:  0330 018 9166
  • RAC Breakdown:  0330 332 8465
  • Calling from Republic of Ireland: 1 800 535 005 (free phone) 
  • Calling from the Rest of Europe :  00 33 472 43 52 55
Opening Hours

Our opening hours are as follows;

Call centre & Webchat

  • Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 7pm
  • Saturday: 9am to 5pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Bank Holidays: 9am to 5pm 

We may have answered your questions already on this FAQ page, but if you have more specific queries please feel free to call in to speak to one of our experienced agents, who will be happy to help you.


Customer Support and Accessibility to our services


We know that our customers have different needs, and may require additional support in contacting us, or making use of the services that we offer.

We are continuously trying to improve our service and accessibility, so please do not hesitate to make our agents aware of any support that you may require, and we will do what we can to assist you. Rest assured, any personal information provided will be treated with the upmost care and held securely.

Bennetts Car Insurance

Bennetts, the motorcycle insurance specialists, announce the launch of ‘Bennetts Car’ - a car product leveraging the capacity and capabilities of their sister company Right Choice Insurance Brokers (Right Choice), part of the Lucida Group.

Existing Bennetts Bike insurance policyholders can benefit from the expansion of the Bennetts branded product portfolio by receiving discounted rates on Bennetts Car insurance. But car insurance with Bennetts Car isn’t exclusive to Bennetts Bike policyholders or motorcyclists, quotations are open to new customers who need the product.

All questions and contact about your car insurance policy should be directed to Bennetts Car insurance using the details below:

Sales & Customer Service:

Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 20:00

Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00

Sunday: Closed

Bank Holidays: 09:00 – 17:00


Telephone:

Sales: 03309 122 640

Customer Care: 03309 122 641

Renewals: 03309 122 642

Claims: 03309 122 643


Email:

Renewals: renewals@bennettscarinsurance.co.uk

Info: info@bennettscarinsurance.co.uk

Customer Service: customercare@bennettscarinsurance.co.uk

Claims: claims@bennettscarinsurance.co.uk

Green Cards: greencard@bennettscarinsurance.co.uk


Address

Bennetts Car Insurance,
St James House,
27-43 Eastern Road,
Romford, Essex,
RM1 3NH

We believe riders make better drivers and, as a Bennetts motorbike insurance customer, you will receive a discount on your Bennetts car insurance quote.

Simply get a quote at Bennetts Car insurance and complete the section on current Bennetts Bike insurance customers to automatically have your discount deducted from your premium.

If you are a BikeSocial member, you’ll already be used to getting more from motorcycling with access to hundreds of exclusive savings, discounts, competitions, events and experiences.

Members will benefit on four wheels with an exclusive offer receiving £30 cashback on a Bennetts Car insurance policy.

BikeSocial membership is free if you have purchased your motorcycle insurance directly from Bennetts or available as a separate 12-month subscription.

If you’re not a member, you can join today for just £60 and then save £30 on your car insurance, effectively getting you a half price BikeSocial membership!

Visit BikeSocial to buy a membership and immediately qualify for this offer.

Select this link for Terms and Conditions.

Riding Abroad

Your motorcycle insurance policy will automatically allow you to ride within the European Union and any other country which has agreed to follow the EU Motor Insurance Directive (number 2009/103/EC), with the same cover as detailed on your policy for 90 days per period of insurance, after which third party only cover applies.

Countries covered:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

Member countries of the EU include the Balearics, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canary Isles, Corsica, Gibraltar, Sardinia, Sicily, Andorra, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Great news, as from 2nd Aug 2021 the European Commission implemented a change to motoring law, stating that drivers of UK-registered vehicles, including those from Northern Ireland, will no longer need green card insurance when riding their bike in EU countries.

A customer who has a policy with Bennetts is entitled to travel within the EU (the Free Circulation Zone countries mentioned on the back of the certificate of insurance) with the same cover as detailed on their policy for 90 days per period of insurance, after which third party only cover applies.

In some cases, you may need an International Driving Permit to drive in some EU/EEA countries.

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

An international driving permit (IDP) can be obtained from The Post Office. Without this document, the vehicle may not be allowed into the country. Please refer to the following link for further information: www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit

For the latest news and guidance regarding travelling abroad visit www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad

BikeSocial Membership
A BikeSocial Membership is exclusive and free for all our customers who buy their bike insurance directly from Bennetts. Membership can also be purchased with a monthly or annual subscription. 

To view the complete list of BikeSocial FAQs, please click here.

If you are a direct insurance customer: you will need to activate your Membership account via your insurance 'My Account' (you only need to do this on your first use of Membership).

When in 'My Account' look for the blue 'Access Membership' button. You will be asked for your e-mail address (this MUST be the one you used when buying your insurance).

We will send you an access code to use to log in. The code will be valid for 10 minutes, but if you don't get the mail in time, you can request another code.

If you paid for your Membership: please visit the BikeSocial Membership login page. Enter your e-mail address and we will send you an access code to use to log in. The code will be valid for 10 minutes, but if you don't get the mail in time, you can request another code.

You don't need a password to log into your BikeSocial Membership account, just your e-mail address. Click the blue ’LOGIN’ button at the top of the BikeSocial Membership pages and enter your e-mail address.

We will send you an access code to use to log in. The code will be valid for 10 minutes, but if you don't get the mail in time, you can request another code.

On the rare occurrence that you are logged in, but can't access any rewards, please contact us directly at membership@bennetts.co.uk.

If these FAQs do not answer your questions then please contact us directly at membership@bennetts.co.uk

Getting a Quote
Getting an alarm fitted can reduce insurance premiums quite significantly. Making sure the bike is garaged at night also contributes to a lower insurance premium. If you have an advanced riding qualification you may also get a discount.

Yes but you will need two separate motorcycle insurance policies.

You can insure up to 6 bikes on the same policy, however the cover relates to the policy and not the individual bikes.

No sorry, only motorcycle no claims bonus can be used.
Yes we do, we call it a multibike policy and we can insure up to 6 bikes on the same policy. It mostly works out cheaper to insure all your bikes on the same policy and it saves on paperwork!
We search our panel of insurers to find you our best price for the cover you need. Our panel are all leading insurers and are quality checked by Bennetts. Click here to get a quote today.

If you have an advanced riding qualification, you could get a reduction off your motorbike insurance premium, but this will vary depending on the insurer.

Discounts are provided for the following training schemes:

  • Advanced Police Motorcycle
  • Bike Safe Certificate
  • BMF Blue Riband
  • BMF Certificate of proficiency
  • DSA Examiners Motorcycle Test
  • Enhanced Riders Bonus
  • IAM Motorcycle Test 
  • MAC Rider Training
  • Post Test Training Register
  • RSPOA Motorcycle Gold
  • The Edge

There is certain information we have to capture in order to provide the most competitive quote possible from our panel of insurers. Some questions might seem pointless, however we can obtain better rates for you by obtaining the answers to them. It should be noted that we do make certain assumptions to make the quote journey shorter so please check these to make sure they are applicable. 

It helps to have the following information to hand:

  • Full details of the make and model of your motorcycle(s)
  • The year your motorcycle was made (not just the registration letter)
  • The approximate value of the motorcycle and the date you bought it
  • Details of any claims, convictions or accidents
  • Details of any additional riders
  • Details of any security devices on the bike(s)

We quote for the vast majority of bikes from 49cc upwards from mopeds to sports bikes.

We can quote for bikes with some modifications online but if you have any doubts or can't find your modification, please contact us.

In addition, we don’t currently offer insurance for quad bikes, trikes, electric pedal cycles and we don’t do specialist insurance for track days. We currently offer annual insurance only.

If your motorcycle is unusual or simply not listed on our quotes system then please contact us as we may still be able to provide you with cover.

Yes. We have a list of modifications that Bennetts accept as standard. These can be found below:

  • Air Filter Changes
  • Bar Ends
  • Braided Hoses
  • Decals / Stickers (Unless Race Replica)
  • Disability Adapted
  • Exhaust (Road Legal) - End Can
  • Exhaust (Road Legal) - Full System
  • Grippers
  • Heated Grips
  • Huggers
  • Lights / Indicators / Mirrors
  • Panniers / Top Box Up To £400
  • Scott Oilers
  • Screen Changes
  • Seat Cowl / Single Seat Units
  • Seat Replacement / Changes
  • Sissy Bars (Long Backrest)
  • Tail Tidy
  • Tank Pads

Even if your modification is not listed as standard we can still quote for certain modifications by internet and by phone. If you have any trouble finding your modification online or have any doubts, please contact us for help. 

You need to tell us about any modifications to the bike that are not on our accepted as standard list when you take out the policy. It is important to declare them because if you do have an accident or the bike is stolen, you need to ensure your modifications are covered under the policy or you could lose out.

Yes you can quote for bike insurance anytime and that quote will be valid for 30 days. You can also purchase a policy before actually purchasing the bike as long as when the policy starts you are the registered keeper.

No, we can only provide you with a quote up to 30 days in advance of the cover start date.

If you just want an indication of price you can input any start date within 30 days, save your quote and come back and update it later.

To retrieve your quote you will need the reference, your date of birth and postcode. You can then change the start policy date and update any other details on the saved quote. The quote will then be updated with a new price for your motorcycle insurance cover.

If you do not have the bike registration you will still be able to get a quote however you will need to confirm the registration details before purchasing a policy online.
No sorry not on one policy. We can’t do a trade style policy. We can insure several riders on one bike and we do multibike policies if you have several bikes.
We can insure up to 3 additional riders on the same bike.

There are a few reasons why you may not be able to find your bike. You may need to think about the Bike Make: E.g. The manufacturer name for Piaggio is Vespa-Piaggio. Or Bike cc: In our quote journey, we have used cc ranges to give you a shorter list to search through. Please select "All engine sizes" to see a full list of bikes for the selected manufacturer.

Manufacturers bring out many new model variations each year and they notify these to the ABI (Association of British Insurers) so that a standard list can be used by all brokers and insurers.

Sometimes your bike can be difficult to spot in the list and we have provided a facility to allow you to order the list either alphabetically or by cc.

Sometimes if the bike is a brand new model the manufacturer may not have registered your new model with the ABI and it will not be on the list yet. However Bennetts have a manual system to add these bikes so we are better placed than most to be able to offer you a quote for any bike.

If on checking the list during the quote journey you cannot find your bike or have any queries please contact one of our trained service staff.

We can only offer motorbike insurance if you live in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Yes, you must state all accidents, not just those relating to your motorcycle, regardless of whether you made a claim on your insurance at the time. We do regularly cross reference with the car database so it is important that these are declared and you don’t invalidate your bike insurance.

Our online quotation service has been developed to cater for most motorcyclists from mopeds to sports bikes. At the present time we can provide online quotes for the following:

  • Insurance cover for you and up to 3 additional riders
  • Insurance cover for up to 6 bikes

We cannot quote for multiple bikes and multiple riders together.

Classic Bike
This can vary depending on the type of bike as Bennetts also cover modern classics, however broadly speaking older bikes need to be at least 15 years old.
An amount which is negotiated and agreed at the start of a policy, which insurers will pay following a total loss claim, rather than market value.
No. Agreed value is an optional benefit on our policies for classic bikes.
The term 'Market Value' means what your bike is deemed to be worth in the current market taking into account things such as market trends and depreciation.
This is the option to buy back your bike salvage from the insurer after a claim, subject to the bike being eligible to go back on the road.
This covers loss or damage to the bike when it is used in club rallies, shows or events (no racing, circuit riding or hire and reward).
No Claims Discount (NCD)

NCD is an earned discount that is applied for every year that a rider has insurance on a motorcycle without making a claim.

If you’ve purchased your Insurance with Bennetts, please send us your No Claims Discount (NCD) within 21 days of your policy start date to ensure your cover is set up correctly.

We may ask you to provide proof of your No Claim Discount entitlement. Originals or photocopies are acceptable in the following forms:

  • Previous insurer/broker’s Renewal Notice
  • Cancellation letter from your previous insurer/broker
  • No Claim Discount letter or card

Please check that your No Claims Discount (NCD) proof from your previous insurer/broker:

  • is less than 2 years old
  • shows your name as the policyholder and is earned by you
  • shows in years the No Claims Discount you are entitled to
  • shows your discount was earned on a private motorcycle (and not a private or company car or a van)

You can send your proof to us in one of the three ways listed below.  Just remember to include your Bennetts Policy Number when you send it to us.

  • Post: 

    You can send us your NCD proof by post to: Bennetts, Unit 3, Swan Park, Kettlebrook Road, Tamworth, B77 1AG
  • Email:

    You can simply scan or forward your NCD document to us by email to: ncd@bennetts.co.uk 
    Make sure that if you scan your document, that the image clearly shows the information we need to see which we’ve outlined in the section above


Bike Licenses

If you passed your car driving test before 1st February 2001 you may use your full UK car licence as a provisional licence to ride a moped (50cc max, max speed 50 mph). In the quote journey you should insert your licence as provisional.

If you passed your car driving test after 1st February 2001 you will need at least a provisional licence to ride any type of bike even with L Plates.

You can take a CBT and there are also two types of full motorcycle licence. See next questions for more details.

CBT means Compulsory basic training. CBT must be completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride on the road with L-plates or D-plates in Wales.

You will need to complete CBT if:

you want to ride a moped (a moped has an engine not over 50 cc with maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kilometres per hour (km/h) which is approximately 31 miles per hour)

you want to ride a scooter or motorcycle up to 125cc

If you obtained your car licence before 1 February 2001 you do not need to complete CBT to ride a moped.

There are two types of full motorcycle licence:

A light motorcycle licence (A1), which restricts riders to any bike up to 125 cc and a power output of 11 kW. The practical test must be taken on a bike of between 75 cc and 125 cc

A standard motorcycle licence (A), is obtained if the practical test is taken on a bike of over 120 cc but not more than 125 cc and capable of at least 100 km/h per hour. After passing the standard motorcycle practical test, you will be restricted for two years to riding a bike of up to 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After this you may ride any size of bike.

Validation letters

If you’ve purchased your Insurance with Bennetts it may be the case that your Insurer will ask us to obtain documentation as part of their validation process.

If required to do so, you will be asked to provide the following documents for us to pass to your insurer:

  • Your V5 vehicle registration document
  • A clear copy of the driving licence photo card for you (Front and back)
  • Proof of no claims discount earned in the UK
  • A recent utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months

Please email a copy of the required documentation to operationssupport@bennetts.co.uk 

You can also post a copy to: Bennetts, Unit 3, Swan Park, Kettlebrook Road, Tamworth, B77 1AG

Cover and Policy Information
We offer "Third Party Only", "Third Party Fire and Theft" or "Fully Comprehensive" motorcycle insurance cover. Below is a basic explanation of what this means but you will need to look at your own policy document to get the details of your own cover.
Third Party Only (TPO) covers you for claims made by other people, against you, for death/bodily injury or damage to their property. You are not covered if the bike is stolen. You will not be covered for any damage to your own bike if there is an accident where you are at fault or partly at fault. Terms and conditions apply.
Third Party Fire & Theft (TPFT) covers you for claims made by other people, against you, for death/bodily injury or damage to their property and if your bike is stolen or damaged by fire. Terms and conditions apply.
Comprehensive (COMP) covers you for claims made by other people, against you, for death/bodily injury or damage to their property. This also covers your bike if it is stolen or damaged by fire, accidental or malicious damage. For the loss or damage of your own motorcycle and subject to any exceptions outlined in your policy, the insurer will either pay for your motorcycle to be repaired, or replace your motorcycle or pay the amount for the loss or damage. The insurer will also pay for accident recovery. Terms and conditions apply.

This is a mandatory amount deducted from any claim settlement. It’s taken as your contribution to the overall claim cost and is set by the insurer. You also need to consider the voluntary excess (see below). You need to include both to get your total excess payable if you have a claim.

So if you have a compulsory excess of £50 and a voluntary excess of £150 and your claim is for £500, then your total excess is £200 you will receive £300 back from your Insurer. If the accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover your excess from the person to blame (third party) or their Insurers.

You may be able to lower your insurance premium by choosing to add a voluntary excess The voluntary excess is your own choice of level of excess payment that is added to the compulsory excess and makes up your total excess amount payable if you make a claim.

Bennetts will let you choose which level of excess you want to add to the compulsory excess. You may be able to choose £0. However, as a rule the higher the voluntary excess you are willing to pay, the lower the insurance premium, so you need to make a judgement as to what is right for you.

So if you have a compulsory excess of £50 and a voluntary excess of £150 and your claim is for £500, then your total excess is £200 you will receive £300 back from your Insurer. If the accident was not your fault, you may be able to recover your excess from the person to blame (third party) or their Insurers.

This benefit will be stated on your bike insurance schedule and insurance certificate. Subject to age conditions and occupation and for most types of bikes, your insurance will cover you to ride other bikes. It is best to check this when you take out the policy.
No you will need a specialist insurance provider for this. Please ask the organising company for details.

If you select business use you will be covered to use the bike to travel to or from work. However Business Use will be restricted to the Proposer only (main policy holder)

Please be aware though that most insurers will have restrictions. For example you can not use your bike to hire it out or be a courier, a dispatch rider or for food delivery. You will need specialist insurance for this type of occupation.

You need to inform us immediately about any changes in address or occupation since this affects the risk to the insurer. Your premium may be adjusted, could be up, could be down depending on the circumstances. You do need to tell us since the policy cover could become invalid.
If you're unsure about what’s covered in your insurance policy, it's easy to find out. Simply refer to your Certificate, Policy Schedule and Policy Booklet. These would have been sent out to you when you took out the cover and all the information you need is in them.

However, details regarding our Terms and Conditions can also be found here  and you can also view and download the latest version of our Policy Booklet and Notice of Variations here.
Extra Cover

Bennetts offers one of the most extensive ranges of extra cover including:

  • Helmet and Leathers cover (which also includes protective clothing)
  • No claims discount (NCD) protection
  • RAC breakdown cover (3 levels of cover)
  • Legal Expenses cover
  • Personal Accident cover (in case of accidental death)

Helmet and leather cover actually covers you for a lot more than you think!

Helmet, leathers, protective clothing, boots and gloves will all be protected against damage caused by a motorcycle accident.

If you add up the cost of all the gear you are using and wearing, you may well find that it is worth insuring for a little extra.

You will be able to claim up to the value of £1,500 against this policy.

You can add Helmet and Leathers cover to your main policy when taking out insurance with Bennetts either over the phone or online. Alternatively, if you are an existing customer, then you can contact our customer services team and they will be able to assist.

On certain schemes and for a small additional fee, Bennetts can help you keep your no claims bonus. So you'll still get a great discount on your insurance even if you have to make a claim.

It is definitely worth considering if you have built up a few year’s no claims bonus since only one small claim and you could lose it which is quite annoying for anybody trying to get a good price for their bike insurance.

Bennetts offer three levels of Breakdown service, all supplied by RAC, a name you can trust.

With all 3 levels you get 24 hour service, fast call out times and a highly trained patrol force.

For Breakdown you get free call out and labour for roadside repairs - you only pay for any necessary parts. If your bike cannot be fixed within a reasonable time, you will be taken to the nearest garage or destination of your choice within 10 miles.

We also offer Breakdown Plus if your bike cannot be fixed within a reasonable time, we'll take you and a pillion passenger home or to a destination of your choice within the UK. This service also includes At Home assistance.

Finally for those who enjoy travelling abroad on their bike we offer Breakdown EU. This includes all the benefits of the above but in the case that you breakdown within the European Union you will be covered for roadside repairs, recovery to the nearest garage, alternative travel arrangements and accommodation if required, and if your bike cannot be fixed repatriation to the United Kingdom.

* Breakdown EU is not available where bike is less than 121 cc.

It's important to make sure that you aren't out of pocket for expenses you might have to pay if you're unlucky enough to be involved in a biking accident which isn't your fault.

Whatever level of insurance cover, Third Party Only, Third Party Fire & Theft or Comprehensive, you may need protection against potential uninsured losses (up to £100,000) that can result from even a minor accident.

Our legal expenses cover helps you to try and claim back your expenses from the insurers of the other party. Whilst we expect and work for a positive outcome in your favour, you might have to pay an excess on your policy and / or incur costs to repair your vehicle if you are insured Third Party.

Please note that we would only pursue a claim under Motor Legal Protection where there is a reasonable prospect of success, which is considered to be a 51% chance or better of making a successful recovery from the third party.

It is not a subject that bikers like to discuss, but just imagine how difficult life would become if you had a serious bike accident. Bennetts can provide cover that gives you a cash payment (up to £15,000) in the event of loss of limb, permanent loss of sight, speech or hearing and permanent total disablement. In the event of your accidental death we would pay your family or estate a lump sum. It's very unpleasant to imagine, but it might be worth insuring against the worst to help alleviate the pain and distress for you and your family.
Yes, you can contact us and we can add in any one of our extra covers and you will pay the pro-rata price. So if you have 9 months remaining on your main insurance policy we will charge you for 9/12 of the premium for the extra cover.
Payment Methods

Annual Upfront Payment

Annual payments can be made over the phone by credit or debit card; or if you choose to pay online, you can use credit / debit card or PayPal.

Please note that payment will be debited on or around the day requested even if you require the cover to start at a later date.
 

Monthly Payments

This allows you to split the cost of your insurance through instalments over the year by direct debit. Bennetts can offer you a credit scheme for this via our credit lender. 

There are charges for paying by instalments which means you will pay more than if you paid annually; the current APR will be indicated on the price display page. 

For new business, to pay by instalments you will need to pay an initial deposit followed by 10 monthly payments. 

Direct Debit payments are divided across 11 months for renewals.

Your insurance is still calculated over a year and not on a monthly basis and there are a few cases where we are unable to offer the monthly payment service:

• If you are under 18 years of age
• If the annual cost of your insurance is less than a certain amount
• We are unable to because of your credit history.

No, if you pay by monthly instalments your total price will be higher. This additional cost is due to paying by credit which includes an interest charge and a facility fee. Paying with monthly instalments will mean that you will pay a higher total price for your policy than if you were to pay upfront, annually.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is a form of finance based on a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement. However, unlike an HP agreement where you pay off the entire value of the bike, you are effectively only paying off the depreciation via your monthly instalments. At the end of the term, you still have a large amount outstanding which is often referred to as the balloon payment. At this point you have several options;

1.        Settle the remaining balance and take complete ownership of the bike
2.        Refinance the remaining balance via a personal loan or HP agreement
3.        Return the bike and your PCP agreement concludes with no balance outstanding
4.        Return the bike and use the value as deposit against a new bike under another PCP agreement 

In simple terms, it doesn’t. Despite not completely owning the bike until the end of the PCP agreement and all outstanding balances have been settled, Bennetts and our panel of insurers recognise your insurable interest in the bike and treat it as if it is owned by you.
General Payment Queries
No, there is no surcharge for payment by credit card.

No. whilst you can easily pay for your policy online, you are also welcomed to call our advisors on 0344 412 2171 with your personal quote reference number. They will be able to guide you through your chosen payment method ensuring your payment is taken.

Depending on the reason it may take some time to process a refund especially following a cancellation. All refunds should be received within 30 days starting from the date of cancellation. Depending on your chosen payment method you may receive your refund from two difference sources. From Bennetts for annual payments and from Bennetts and/or our credit lender (Premium Credit Limited) if your method was by instalments.

If you pay annually and wish to update your account and card details, then please contact us

If you pay by instalments, you will need to contact Premium Credit Limited for them to process the change (Contact Premium Credit).

When you buy a policy through us, whether you are a new or existing customer, there is an administration charge of £20 (also known as an arrangement fee) which is the cost of setting up and managing your motorbike insurance policy and this is applicable to all customers.  For more information on fees go to About Our Insurance Services.

Your policy documents will confirm whether proof of no claims discount is required to be sent to us. If proof is required, you will need to provide valid proof within 21 days of your policy start date. If you do not do this, we will amend your policy to 0 years NCD and charge the additional premium plus a £32.00 admin fee. In some cases, your policy could be cancelled, and you may be charged a cancellation fee.

If you cannot pay your monthly instalments when they fall due this could mean that your credit agreement may be terminated, and your policy cancelled. We are here to help you should this situation arise.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you may also wish to contact a free debt help organisation such as:

Payment by instalments

This is an agreement between you and the lender which sets out the terms under which you pay your insurance premium by monthly instalments. The credit agreement complies with the Consumer Credit Act.

If you want to pay for your premium via monthly instalments instead of paying it all in one lump sum, then you need a credit agreement.

A Running Credit Agreement.
To comply with consumer credit legislation, we only allow people who can afford it to enter into credit agreements. In some limited circumstances credit may not be offered however you will have the option to pay your policy in one lump sum.

As a responsible credit broker we and/or our credit lender conduct several checks to make sure paying monthly is the right option for you. At times we may be unable to verify your account details and therefore unable to offer the Direct debit option, this is due to certain information not matching i.e. name and address.

Please note in certain circumstances further information make be requested from ourselves or our credit lender to verify your account.
Premium Credit Limited is our credit provider and your credit agreement will be financed by them.

You will be obliged to repay your credit by monthly instalments directly to Premium Credit Limited. 

You will be required to sign a credit agreement with Premium Credit. Failure to sign and return your credit agreement within 27 days, will result in an additional charge from Premium Credit Limited. If you fail to make your required monthly repayment on time, Premium Credit will charge you a default fee and could result in your agreement being cancelled.

Full information will be provided by Premium Credit Ltd in their welcome pack. 
 

Paying a deposit under a credit agreement provides the lender with assurance that the agreement that you enter into is a serious commitment. Consumer credit legislation dictates that only allow people who can afford it should enter into credit agreements. It also helps keep your instalments lower.

Yes, you can change payment date by contacting your credit lender ‘Premium Credit Limited’ to process the change (Contact Premium Credit).

You will be sent a letter advising you that the payment has been missed and you are in default of your credit agreement. If you do not make the payment by the time stated in the letter your credit agreement will be terminated and your insurance policy will be cancelled.
 
If there is a need to resubmit a request for payment to your bank you will incur an additional default fee as shown in your loan agreement.

If you need to discuss your missed payment please contact Premium Credit Limited (Contact Premium Credit).

Yes, you can pay off your credit agreement early by contacting your credit lender Premium Credit Limited directly or you can request an early settlement figure on your PCL portal (Contact Premium Credit).
 You will need to contact your credit provide Premium Credit Limited to discuss if this is possible (Contact Premium Credit).
You will need to contact your credit provider Premium Credit Limited to discuss if this is possible (Contact Premium Credit).
Yes, it is very important that you sign and return your credit agreement.

You can use Premium Credits Limited’s online portal to provide electronic approval. Should you wish for a paper copy to sign, you will need to request a copy directly from them, which must be signed and returned back to Premium Credit Limited. Failure to sign and return your credit agreement within 27 days, will result in an additional charge from Premium Credit Limited .

Full details can be found at premiumcredit.com.
 
You will be able to obtain a copy of your agreement via the online portal of Premium Credit Limited. Alternatively, you can request a copy by contacting them directly (Contact Premium Credit).
Usually, your payment will be taken on the next available working day.

If your credit agreement is with Premium Credit Limited and you have any queries regarding your payment schedule, then you would need to contact Premium Credit Limited directly to discuss (Contact Premium Credit).

You can cancel your credit agreement at any time. A cancellation fee may apply for cancelling the policy. However, if you  wish to remain insured you will need to pay the premium outright.

If you wish to pay your premium in full, then you will need to contact Premium Credit to obtain an early settle figure and pay for your premium directly with them.  However, if you wish to cancel your agreement, then you are free to contact either Bennetts directly, and we will arrange for cancellation of your policy and agreement, or via Premium Credit Limited, who will cancel your credit agreement and then notify Bennetts that your policy requires cancelling.  

If the credit agreement is cancelled early, and the insurance premium is not paid in full, the insurance policy will also be cancelled, and the lender has a right to receive any refunds due under the insurance policy to reduce the amount that you owe under the credit agreement.
Once you have completed your purchase you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. If you have opted to receive your insurance documents by post these should be with you within 5 working days.
Your credit agreement with Premium Credit Limited will be available once you have made your purchase via their online portal, or by post if requested. You will have 14 days to cancel your agreement, if you change your mind. Full details can be found at Premiumcredit.com.  

Bennett’s don’t issue statements. However, you can check what payments you have made and which payments are due by contacting your credit agreement provider Premium Credit Limited (Contact Premium Credit).

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a standard measure of the cost of credit, stated as a yearly rate. Interest rates can be stated in a number of ways. It helps to compare the cost of credit from different providers. You can find your APR in your quote and also in your credit agreement.

Where you provide us with your card number for payments, a continuous payment authority is set up which means that we will be able to use your payment details to automatically take payments which become due on your policy such as your renewal or if any amendments are made to your policy. This saves you from having to provide us with fresh payment details each time and ensures that your insurance cover continues uninterrupted. We will tell you in advance before taking any payments and you can cancel your continuous payment authority at any time by contacting us.

As part of the credit application, Premium Credit Limited (PCL) will conduct anti-money laundering checks and credit assessments known as a ‘hard search’ which does leave a footprint on your credit report for any prospective lenders to see, but not the outcome of the search. The type of search should not have a detrimental effect on your credit rating. Most hard searches will stay on your credit report for 12 months.

If a decision to refuse an application was due to the information obtained from a credit reference agency (CRA) search, PCL will inform you and will provide advice on how to contact the CRA in question so that you can get a copy of the information which it has about you.
Cancellations and Adjustments

If you wish to cancel your policy more than 14 days after receiving your policy documentation Bennetts will charge you a fee of £50 and the insurer will refund a percentage of the premium calculated on a pro-rata basis equivalent to the period of cover left unused, providing no claims have been made. If a claim has been made, or there has been an incident which may lead to a claim, no refund will be given, and all premiums would be due. 

The £20 arrangement fee included in your policy, is non-refundable.

 
If you are a new customer and wish to cancel your policy within the first 14 days after receiving your policy documentation Bennetts will charge you a fee of £10 and the insurer will refund a percentage of the premium calculated on a pro-rata basis equivalent to the period of cover left unused, providing no claims have been made. If a claim has been made, or there has been an incident which may lead to a claim, no refund will be given, and all premiums would be due.  

Please note that all add-ons are also refunded on a pro-rata basis.  The £20 arrangement fee included in your policy, is non-refundable.
Please give our friendly team a ring on 0344 412 2171 to let us know about the change and we’ll update our system so your policy is bang up to date.

Your premium may increase or decrease as a result of the change you are making, and we’ll let you know this at the time. You will be charged a policy amendment fee of £32.

Please see the “About Your Insurance Services” document for further detail regarding any fees for our services.
Renewals

When your policy approaches the end of its 12-month term, you’ll be given the opportunity to renew your cover with us for another year.

To make it as simple as possible for you we will search our panel of insurers to find you our lowest quote based on the information  you have provided. To ensure you have the opportunity to review and assess your new quote, we will contact you around 28 days before your renewal date with details of the renewal premium that we can offer you .  All you need to do is simply check your details are still correct. Please let us know if anything needs updating or you want to change your level of cover/additional options.

If you have automatic renewal switched off

If you have opted out of automatic renewal but you’d like to take up your renewal offer with us, providing your information including payment details have not changed, you can now use MyAccount to turn automatic renewal on or complete the online form, and your renewal will be processed automatically. If all your details are the same, this saves you having to give us a call.

If there has been a change to some of your details or you want to renew your policy over the phone, you can contact our friendly UK-based team via webchat or on 0344 412 2171.

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll assume you don’t want to renew, and your policy will end.

If you have automatic renewal switched on

If you are happy with your renewal offer and you are opted into automatic renewal, your policy will be automatically renewed on your renewal date using the payment details that we hold for you.  These details will be clearly stated on your renewal letter. Automatic renewal aims to save you time and helps ensure you have continuous insurance, so you don’t unknowingly ride uninsured.

If you’ve received your renewal and want to discuss things, please call our friendly team on 0344 412 2171 before your renewal date. 

Automatic renewal – You’re in control

You can check your automatic renewal status at any time in MyAccount and you can make a change to your automatic renewal settings at any point in the duration of your policy.

So if you’re happy with your renewal offer and your details are the same, simply check your automatic renewal is switched on and you can have peace of mind, knowing you’ll continue to be insured with our 5 Star Defaqto rated insurance.

 

Auto-renewal means your motorbike insurance will automatically renew when it comes to the end of your contract. It provides you with peace of mind by ensuring your insurance cover continues uninterrupted and you don’t unknowingly ride uninsured.

By accepting auto-renewal, you are providing permission for us to use your securely stored card details to automatically renew your policy when it becomes due. You will always be notified prior to any payments being deducted. For Direct Debit customers you are providing permission to continue to use your bank account details. You can check and change your auto-renewal status at any time in MyAccount or by calling us on 0344 412 2171.

If you receive your renewal notice and do not wish to renew, all you have to do is contact and notify us via Webchat, Online Service Centre or over the phone on 0344 412 2171 before the renewal date on your letter. Your policy will then expire without charge. Alternatively, you can ensure that your auto-renewal is switched off in MyAccount.

We’ll send you confirmation that your policy has ended after the original policy expiry date. This will contain your No Claims Discount entitlement, which you can use as evidence to send to your new or future insurer if they request it.

Renewal invitations are sent around 3-4 weeks before your policy is due to end. If you expected to receive your renewal invitation in the post by now, let us know here.
If you’re set to auto-renew, you’re happy with your renewal offer, and your personal and payment details are the same, then you don’t need to do anything as your renewal will be processed automatically.

Please find instructions on how you can inform us of this change below:

If paying annually

Simply get in touch with us either by Webchat, WhatsApp or over the phone on 0344 412 2171 and we’ll update your details.

If paying by monthly Direct debit

We work with a finance provider (Premium Credit Limited) to enable direct debit payments. You will need to update your payment details via Premium Credit Limited. You can either update your details with PCL online here, or over the phone on 03447 369 836.

Changing the way you pay

If you want to change the way you pay for your policy from what is stated on your renewal invitation, simply get in touch with us either by Webchat or over the phone on 0344 412 2171 and we’ll update your details.

Please contact us either via Webchat or over the phone on 0344 412 2171 to inform us of your change. Your premium may increase or decrease as a result of the change you are making, but we’ll let you know this at the time.

If you would like to take up your renewal offer with us, providing your information, including payment details has not changed, you can use MyAccount to turn automatic renewal on or you can complete an online renewal form and your renewal will be processed automatically. This saves you having to call.

Alternatively, you can contact us via Webchat or over the phone on 0344 412 2171.

Claims
You should report all accidents, thefts, attempted thefts, malicious damage incidents. Even if you are not going to make a claim it is important that you call us to ensure we can deal with any possible claim from another driver and also update your policy to reflect this.
Vehicle theft, attempted theft and malicious damage incidents must be reported to the police within 48 hours. Please take a note of the crime reference number, as you will be asked for it. Please report any accident involving injuries, or where the other driver/rider does not stop.
Our 24 hour claims helpline is 0330 018 9166
Our specialist advisors will guide you through our claims process but it will help if you have the following information available when reporting your claim.
  • Date, Time and Location of Incident
  • Other party details – name/address/contact telephone number/vehicle registration/insurance details
  • Name and Contact Details of any witnesses
  • Police Details/Crime Reference Number if applicable.
If you do not have all the above details we will attempt to gain as much information as possible following your report.
The Bennetts claims number is 0330 018 9166 and operates 24 hours a day. We have a dedicated bike team who will be happy to guide you through the process.
If you become aware of any accident or loss involving your motorcycle, or of any other incident which may lead to a claim by you or a third party, report the incident as soon as possible by calling our specialist claims team on 0330 018 9166. They will help you and discuss the next steps in our process.
As a general rule, your NCD will be affected by a claim against your policy until such time that your insurer is successful in recovering all costs from the party which is deemed to be at fault. Where NCD is affected, it will be reduced by the appropriate amount from your next renewal. If you have a protected NCD, it will usually not be affected by the first 2 claims in any five-year period of cover. If you have been involved in an accident or your Bike is damaged or stolen, call our specialist team on 0330 018 9166.
Complaints

Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited is constantly striving to enhance the experience that our customers have with us. If you have a complaint, we’d like to hear about it, so that we can improve our service. This will not only enable us to try to fix what went wrong in your individual case us, but also help to avoid similar issues in the future.

If you wish to register a complaint directly with Bennetts, please contact us:

By phone - 0344 412 2171

In writing -

Customer Relations Manager,
Bennetts,
Unit 3,
Swan Park,
Kettlebrook Road,
Tamworth,
B77 1AG.

By email:complaints@bennetts.co.uk

If we cannot settle your complaint with us you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

By phone: 0800 023 4567

By email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

For full details of our complaints handling process please see the section marked 'Service Standards' in our policy booklet

View a summary of our complaints data

Complaints data, covering all firms, is published by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

View the FCA complaints data
View the FOS complaints data