A motorcycle and a car are clearly two very different things, and so is motorcycle insurance against car insurance. A couple of blokes can’t pick up a crashed car and put it straight into the back of a van, and if a car hits loose gravel, it’s not likely to have a front-end washout leaving you in a bundle of acute angles on the side of a remote country road.

While taking out motorbike insurance could be the most mind-numbing exercise associated with owning a motorcycle, it also could possibly be the single most important decision you make. And while it’s all-too-easy to disregard insurance as an often-fruitless expense, it could be the difference between peace of mind or, in a worst-case scenario, bankruptcy. Commercial insurance (as opposed to compulsory insurance, ie, your green-slip) on motorcycles comes in all different applications and prices depending on your lifestyle. And these days there are many options.

Firstly, there is fully comprehensive insurance which covers pretty much everything, but read the small print, because what you regard as fully comprehensive may end up leaving you without things like replacement of the total value of your gear, or you might find not all of your medical expenses are covered.

Full comprehensive insurance is generally the most expensive, but it will also safeguard you against most things. Weighing up the cost of the insurance premium against the value of your motorcycle will show if it is a cost-effective option for you, or not.

Be aware that if you buy your motorcycle under finance, the lender may require that the bike be comprehensively insured.

Third party property is just that – it simply covers you for the damage that may occur to someone else’s property in the event of an accident. This doesn’t just extend to the other vehicle involved in an accident, but also to houses, fences, parked cars, telegraph poles or anything else that may be damaged as a result of an accident.

Most insurance companies will also offer a fire and theft policy. This is commonly taken out for, but not always, non-registered motorcycles, like race bikes, dirt bikes or a collectible machine that takes pride of place in one’s lounge room.

Some insurers will offer you a combined third-party property claim as well as fire and theft, so make sure you figure out exactly what sort of cover is best for you before insurance companies bombard you with too much information and jargon. In addition to ensuring your pride and joy, and yourself, are covered, it’s a good idea to talk to your insurer about covering your riding gear, too.

And while many policies purport that your gear will be covered, you might find that the maximum amount of cover won’t even replace one leg of those expensive riding pants that were damaged when you hit the deck, let alone your top dollar helmet, jacket, gloves and boots.

Negotiate a policy that offers the replacement costs of your all-too-important kit, new-for-old as it’s often called. At least this way, when you wake up in a motel somewhere to find your gear has gone, you’ll have the peace of mind to know it will all be replaced and you can continue your trip with the knowledge that you’ll be adequately protected.

Now that you’ve decided to safeguard yourself, your bike and your kit, it’s equally important to shop around and find a product that suits your lifestyle.

You can either do this yourself by checking out other very helpful websites, or enlist an insurance broker to do it for you. And while you may think that not divulging all the information about your bike, any modifications you may have done or your past driving or riding record, with the thought that your initial premium outlay might come in a bit cheaper, it could very well bite you later.

So be honest, tell insurance companies everything and, when briefing a broker, be especially clear with exactly what cover you need and want.