Winter break: engine suspension winter months
Many motorcyclists don't ride in the winter. Cold, slippery conditions, snow, rain and fog increase the risk of accidents, and besides, motorcycling is just nicer in the sun. With this in mind, insurers have developed motorcycle insurance policies with a winter break. But is this wise? What do you save and what should you pay attention to when you go on vacation on your motorcycle?
What does a winter break entail?
Motorcycling is mainly done in the months with nice weather. In a motorcycle insurance with winter break, the insurance does not provide coverage during the winter period. It usually runs from December 15 to March 1, but sometimes from December 1 to March 1 (depending on the insurer).
During winter break:
Driving risk is not insured
Do you go on public roads anyway and cause damage? Then you are not insured, not even for damage to others.
Theft and storage risk are insured.
Is your motorcycle in the garage and does a fire break out or is your motorcycle stolen? Then you are insured if you have limited hull or all-risk coverage.
RDW suspension on winter break coverage
Normally, you must suspend your motorcycle from the RDW if it does not have insurance. If you don't, the insurance obligation remains and you risk a fine.
However, if you choose winter break coverage, your insurance will continue (storage, fire and theft are insured, driving risk is not). As a result, you comply with the insurance obligation and do not have to separately suspend your registration during that period.
What is the financial benefit?
Motorcycle insurance with winter break can be financially attractive because you don't ride during the winter and therefore don't cause accidents. For the insurer, this means lower risk, which translates into a discount on the premium.
With many insurers, you get about a 10% discount on the main coverage(Wa, Wa-plus, or Allrisk) throughout the year.In addition, there are several variations of the winter break:
- Winter stop coverage: the motorcycle is not insured from December 1 to March 1.
- Summer time coverage: the motorcycle is not insured from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March.
Because the period with summer time coverage is longer, the premium is usually even lower. The difference with an annual coverage can amount to tens of percent with some insurers. Be aware of additional costs: if you suspend your license plate at the RDW outside of a winter break construction, you pay €24 for this.
Disadvantages of a winter break
A major disadvantage is that you can't use the engine for a while in winter, even in an emergency. For example, if your car won't start and you have to go to an appointment. Moreover, the seasons change: winters are often mild these days, so it is sometimes great weather to ride in December.
For motorcyclists who want to be flexible, annual coverage may be more attractive. Then you can decide when to hit the road, without restriction.
On vacation by motorcycle
Dutch motorcycle insurance also provides coverage abroad. As long as you stay within Europe, you are insured. Outside Europe also in most countries. In case of an accident, you can also contact the insurer's emergency number while abroad. In case of breakdown on the road, the motorcycle insurance is of no use. For this you can, for example, choose a travel insurance in which help with breakdown abroad is also insured. The coverage in your motorcycle insurance also applies abroad. To insure your luggage and health risks you can take out travel insurance.
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