Carole Nash first major motorcycle insurer to launch off road policy

Carole Nash is to plug a major gap in the motorcycle insurance market by becoming the first major biking specialist to offer a dedicated off road policy.

The new standalone policy will cost from just £99 annually and offer fire and theft cover for motocross bikes, including children’s models, plus sport, leisure, utility and junior quads. Instant cover will protect against fire and theft at home or at an Auto Cycle Union race track or practice ground, with up to £250 worth of accessories also insured. Discounts will also be offered if bikes are fitted with insurance-approved security devices such as Datatag and heavy duty locks and chains.

The launch is a direct response to enthusiasts’ pleas for the company to provide off road cover. “We’ve been flooded with calls from off roaders who have been unable to secure appropriate and affordable cover elsewhere,” confirmed Carole Nash’s Marketing Manager, Warren Dickson. “We’ve also spoken to the Union of European Motorcyclists who license motorcross racers and they’ve warned us that because there is such a big gap in the market we will be inundated when we launch. We understand what they’re saying, not least because something like 50-60,000 new off road bikes are sold in the UK every year. But we are, of course, fully prepared to meet that demand.”

Bikers will also welcome the fact that a major motorcycle insurance specialist has broken ranks to provide off road cover. “Bikers clearly like the confidence that our specialist expertise provides. They know that should they need to claim that they will deal with someone who understands biking, rather than a general insurer with little or no knowledge of bikes, let alone off road biking,” said Dickson.

The policy is set to be introduced on June 1st 2006.