From riding pastel blue Vespas to driving polished chromium beasts, there are many ways to rule the road on two wheels. You might be scootling your way along the banks of the mighty Katherine River or roaring down the great dirt highways of the north on your way to anywhere. But whatever you’re up to, motorbikes can be surprisingly fragile machines when it comes down to it, and insurance can save you from the effects of a rough accident or mishap.
It’s important to understand the ins and outs of your motorcycle insurance before you buy in the Northern Territory, so we’re here to walk you through it.
Here are a few brands that offer motorcycle insurance cover in the Northern Territory:
Compulsory third-party insurance comes as part of your vehicle's registration fee and is a requirement in the NT as well as throughout Australia. However, the roads can be vast and at times dangerous in the NT, while the hot weather can also do damage to your ride. That's why you should also consider acquiring additional third-party liability and damage insurance.
Bike riders of the Northern Territory have access to three different kinds of insurance: comprehensive, third party property damage, and third party fire and theft. Find out what they cover in the table below.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third party fire and theft | Third party property damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to other people's property | |||
| Damage to your own motorcycle when involved in a no-fault accident with uninsured motorist | |||
| Damage to your motorcycle by fire and theft | |||
| Damage to your motorcycle in an accident/collision | |||
| Damage to your motorcycle by vandalism, storm, hail, flood, earthquake |
Another major part is to make sure that your vehicle is properly registered and up-to-date mechanically. If your vehicle is in poor working order or not legally cleared for use on the road, no insurance policy will cover you.
It's likely that your premiums will be less than those insuring their motorcycles in more densely populated states. Nevertheless, there are a few unique issues and problems that can arise for you and your bike in the NT.
Motorcycle insurers in the NT attract stamp duty at a rate of 10% of the insurance premium. While it's usually up to the insurer to pay this duty, the additional cost is often passed on to you. Check with the provider before signing up.
If your bike isn't in good condition - if it's poorly maintained, has been modified with special parts not provided by the manufacturer or is generally beaten up - you probably won't be able to purchase a standard insurance policy for it.
Beyond that, the Northern Territory has a few general exclusions that apply in all circumstances, including no cover if:
Premiums are likely to be higher in the Northern Territory due to how far away you live from major towns as well as the safety of the area from theft as well as bad weather. Theft isn't a huge issue across the NT, so unless you live in an area where crime is high, it's unlikely you'll pay a lot more for your insurance than in other states. Similarly, accidents are less common than in busier states, which should translate to cheaper premiums.
Nevertheless, when insuring your pride and joy, there is a list of factors that could affect the price of your policy:
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