Need to insure your two-wheeler? Discover if RACV's motorcycle insurance is right for you.
If you use the road, whether it’s on four wheels or two, your chances of being involved in an accident are the same. And if you own an expensive piece of machinery, whether it’s a car or a motorcycle, your chances of having it stolen are also equally high. This is why motorcycle insurance is an important protection to have.
Known for their roadside assistance, RACV offers a range of products and services including motoring services, home assistance, finance and insurance. Their motorcycle insurance products include comprehensive and third-party insurance as well as veteran, vintage and classic cover. Insurance Manufacturers of Australia, a subsidiary of NRMA Personal Lines Holdings Pty Limited underwrites all RACV Motorcycle Insurance policies.
What cover options does RACV offer?
RACV has a cover option to suit every kind of motorcycle user, including the following:
Comprehensive motorcycle
This provides comprehensive cover against loss or damage for a wide range of risks including accident, fire, theft and third-party liability.
This covers damage from accidents, fire, theft, floods, storms, and malicious acts. It also covers towing, vehicle pick up and return, a hire car after a theft for up to $50 per day for 21 days and an optional hire car after an incident for up to $50 per day for 14 days.
Cover also includes protection for personal items, new vehicle replacement within two years and damage to the windscreen and window glass. It also covers the replacement of keys, locks and barrels. The policy also includes Aussie Assist personal emergency assistance if you’re more than 100km from home.
Third party motorcycle
This provides third party liability cover for loss or damage to someone else’s property due to an accident caused by your motorcycle.
This policy includes up to $20 million liability cover for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property and up to $5,000 for loss or damage in an accident that is not your fault. You also get cover for towing from the scene of an accident to your repairer or place of safety.
The policy also gives you access to Aussie Assist personal emergency assistance.
Veteran, vintage and classic motorcycle
This provides comprehensive cover for veteran (pre-1919), vintage (1919-1930) and classic (generally 15 years or older) motorcycles.
This covers loss or damage up to the agreed value, emergency repairs up to $500, damage to protective clothing up to $3,000 and trailer damage up to $500. You also get cover for storage costs, temporary cover for 14 days when you change motorcycles and cover for towing as well as cover for windscreen and window glass damage. You also get up to $1,000 worth of cover for keys, locks and barrels.
This policy also includes retention of salvage, which means if your motorcycle is written off and is more than 35 years old, you keep it at no cost. You also get up to $20 million liability cover for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property. The policy also comes with Aussie Assist personal emergency assistance and RACV Extra Care, which is 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.
What exclusions should I be aware of?
General exclusions are circumstances in which RACV Motorcycle Insurance will not pay a benefit. These exclusions include the following:
- Loss or damage that occurs outside Australia
- Loss or damage less than the excess
- Incidents that occur outside the period of insurance
- Tyre damage caused by road cuts, punctures, bursts or braking
- Mechanical, structural, electronic or electrical failures
- Repairs to old damage
- Deterioration, wear and tear, rust, erosion or corrosion
- Loss that occurs because you cannot use your motorcycle
- The cost of fixing faulty repairs
- Loss or damage while your motorcycle is on consignment
- Depreciation
- Intentional loss or damage by you
- Legal seizure, impoundment, sale or destruction of your motorcycle
- Rebellion, civil commotion or war (whether declared or not)
- Loss or damage caused by nuclear or radioactive material
- Terrorism involving biological, chemical or nuclear pollution or contamination
- The discharge of any pollutant or contaminant from your motorcycle
- A breach of contract or an obligation under a contract
- Failure to secure your motorcycle after an incident
- Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Riding unlicensed
- Reckless or improper use of your motorcycle
- Carrying explosives, flammable or combustible substances or liquids illegally
- Using your motorcycle in a race, trial, test or contest or for unlawful purposes.
How much does RACV Motorcycle Insurance cost?
How much your RACV Motorcycle Insurance will cost depends on the following range of factors:
- The address where your motorcycle is kept
- The age and gender of the owners and riders of your motorcycle
- The type and value of your motorcycle
- Any modifications to your motorcycle (can increase premiums)
- Any security features on your motorcycle (can reduce premiums)
- Your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency
- Any finance held against your motorcycle and the type of finance held
- The number and type of claims and incidents that all owners and riders have had in the last five years
- The amount your motorcycle is insured for (as shown on your Certificate of Insurance)
- Whether you pay your premiums monthly or annually
- Whether you use your motorcycle for private or business use
- The options you choose to include
- The level of excess you choose.
What's the excess like?
An excess is an amount you are required to contribute towards the cost of a claim. With RACV Motorcycle Insurance, there are three types of excesses:
- Basic excess. This is the basic amount you must contribute to each claim. If you have comprehensive cover, you can increase the excess to reduce the cost of your premium.
- Age excess. This is the excess that you must pay if the rider is under 25 years of age or has less than 2 years riding experience at the time of an incident.
- Special excess. This is an excess in addition to any basic or age excesses that you must pay in certain circumstances (as specified in your policy).
You will not have to pay an excess if an incident was not your fault and you are able to provide RACV with the name and address of the at-fault party.
How do I make a claim?
If you need to make a claim on your RACV Motorcycle Insurance policy, the procedure is relatively straightforward:
- Visit an RACV branch or call 13 19 03.
- Make sure you have your policy number, a police report number if relevant and the contact details of those involved in the incident.
- RACV will then lodge your claim and book you in for an insurance assessment.
- If your claim is successful and your motorcycle is damaged, RACV will repair or replace the damage to return your bike to as close as possible to its former condition.
- If your claim is successful and your motorcycle is written off, RACV will pay the agreed value minus all applicable excesses.
Other questions you may have
Why must I pay an excess on my insurance just because I’m under 25?
Young drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident, so you pay an excess to cover the additional risk you represent.
What is the difference between market value and agreed value?
Market value is how much your motorcycle is worth on the open market and agreed value is the amount you and your insurer agree will be paid if your motorcycle is written off.
Does my comprehensive cover include a new vehicle replacement period?
Yes. If your motorcycle is written off in an accident within two years of being purchased new, it will be replaced with a new one.
Do I need to tell you about any modifications I make to my motorcycle?
Yes, since they may affect the cost of your insurance.
Am I covered if I ride other motorcycles?
No. Your insurance only covers the motorcycle listed on your policy.
