Insurance can be a funny thing, there are no set ways in which insurance companies work out the cost of cover for your and your scooter. They take into account many things, the area you live in, your driving history, your claims history, the vehicle you drive amongst other things.

Lets face it as we all are supposed to be legal when we take to the roads, we must have insurance and so could be held to ransom by these companies in the cover and prices they have on offer. Many main stream insurance companies in my view are not switched on enough to cater for the smaller niche market of classic insurance, the main bulk of their income would be from covering Ford Escorts, and Home insurance, so why should they go out of there way for a few thousand of us scooter riders. Well like I said they don't, so we need to switch to smaller companies who will devote their time and efforts to us. Legally we all need the most basic cover, called "third party insurance" this basically means that if you hit damage or injure somebody else or their property whilst riding your scooter, your insurance will pay out compensation to this third party.

The next step of cover is "third party, fire and theft" again as mentioned before, third party cover is the main part of this type of cover. But as an extension to this, you are also covered if your scooter is stolen, (although you should read the small print for any exclusions) and if it catches fire, how many scooters have you seen on fire at the side of the road? Lastly, you can have "Fully Comprehensive" insurance, were again most things are covered, along with cover mentioned for the last two, you would expect to gain accidental damage cover among many other things. It is really down to each company what they offer you, so you should read the things on offer when comparing quotes to make sure of the value for money. One last tip, read the exclusions of cover, quite a few companies are slipping in these terms and conditions to avoid paying out on claims.

Luckily for us all, the LCGB has in place two approved insurance deals, both with companies that specialise in "classic" insurance. Other companies not recognising the world of classic scooters, have been known not only to over charge you regarding your cover, but also not recognise the true value of your scooter, and only pay on its supposed market value. Try replacing your SX200 with the two hundred and fifty Pounds many insurance companies would offer you after a total loss!

The two companies who as members of the LCGB will offer you tailored insurance for you and your scooter offer things such as :-

• Members discount
• Agreed value of your scooter
• Add multiple scooters to the policy
• Breakdown assistance
• Legal help
• European cover
• Non road use cover