The motorcycle insurance industry has shown an increase of web activity in providing both online quotations and policy set-up facilities for bike insurance, enabling you to log on to the site 24 hours a day, and print your certificate of insurance there and then.

There are plenty of people who prefer talking to someone over the phone and have that personal touch when dealing with their bike insurance. Some even prefer to use local brokers, as they can pop in and deal with someone face to face, although this seems to be dying out with the use of comparison sites online.

Almost every bike insurance company or broker have an online quote facility and most of these companies have a buy online set-up as well. More companies are expanding into the comparisons sites, to gain an edge, as more customers use these sites. These sites enable you to search the market by filling out only one form, rather than completing the same information repeatedly and over again.

The advantages of using an online quote and buy service are, immediate cover, some enable you to print your policy online, you can access these sites 24 hours a day, many insurers offer online discounts, and all the information is available to read at your own pace.

The advantages of calling an insurance company or broker are, the customer service you receive, a personal touch to setting up your policy, they can explain the policy in more detail over the phone, you can negotiate your premium with an underwriter, and if you do have any complaints you have names of people to go back to.

The disadvantages of using an online ‘quote and buy’ service are, the security issues of using a credit card / debit card online and some insurers may not be able to offer instalments on the site meaning you have to call them anyway. They may not be able to insure you online due to you not meeting there criteria and if you enter in your details incorrectly then this can cause you problems through your policy.

Other disadvantages of calling an insurance company or broker are, you can only contact them during their opening times and it can be a lengthy process to call round for the best price. You also have to wait for your policy documentation if it is needed for tax purposes, you may speak to an inexperienced member of staff and often you may end up speaking to a call centre out of the country causing you no end of problems.

Using an insurance companies or brokers website means you have all the documentation, terms and conditions readily available to read before taking out your policy. Meaning you know exactly what your paying for before you’ve paid for it, rather than over the phone waiting for your documents to arrive. The bike insurance quote process can also be much quicker on the net.

Whichever method you choose to take out your insurance policy, the customer service you receive should be excellent. A lot of online insurers or brokers provide you with claims telephone numbers and enquiry forms online, meaning you still do not have to ring them after you have taken out your policy. Your policy information is accessible throughout the year, so if you ever lose your policy documentation, it can either be re-printed or ordered online again.

Many online insurers offer online discounts as you do not need to speak to a member of staff when accepting your quotation price. Meaning the companies costs are cut down, and that is reflected in the cost of your insurance.

Whether you choose to take your bike insurance out over the phone or online, either way there are many advantages and disadvantages. However, it offers you a much wider opportunity to set up a policy 24 hours a day.

Anna Stenning is an expert on bike insurance having researched various policies for her bike.

What will help soreness from biking? Also what tactics do you have to take your mind of tiredness?

Due to circumstances beyond my control I can no longer get lifts into my nearest town, seven miles away. I’ve been biking to get to singing lessons and so on and pretty much any time I need to go in, but it’s literally a pain in the arse. I’m sore all over especially on my bum, and I need to bike into town again this afternoon… does anyone have any suggestions? I can’t buy a new saddle, I’m broke, and adjusting the seat is impossible for me, as the bike is old and stiff.

Also, I’m an incredibly unfit person, and biking the 14 miles there and back is very tiring and difficult for me. I imagine practise will help with that, but are there any tactics people have to ignore the tiredness, and the aching legs etc in the meantime?

Answer
The hardest answer is that more riding is going to take away the soreness. I didn’t believe it when I started commuting to work, but it was (painfully) true! Especially for your bum! The second day I rode, mine was screaming in agony in the first few miles! I had quite a few more to go and all I could think about was, “I’ve got to get to work. No if’s, and’s, or but’s…” Aside from more riding, making sure that the seat is set up properly will help to ensure there’s no other pains aside from those of just beginning to bike.

As for ignoring the tiredness and aching, I say music. I know you shouldn’t wear headphones while riding, but I do wear some and keep the volume low enough that I can hear noises on my bike (and other passing cars and riders) and there’s some songs for me that really get me pumped up! Also, reaching certain points just gets me more excited like getting home a few minutes earlier than ever before, climbing a bigger hill while feeling less like I’m dead, realizing I no longer have to get off and walk my bike anywhere! Just the little things make me feel pumped like I’m getting better!