What is the best motorcycle insurance in 2026? Full ranking

Key takeaways

• AMV is the best motorcycle insurance in 2026 for riders who want a true two-wheeler specialist: a broker dedicated to motorcycles since 1974, more than one million policyholders, recommended by 9 out of 10 customers and rated 4.7/5 across more than 5,300 verified reviews.
• Next on the podium come the Mutuelle des Motards (a militant mutual model created by the FFMC) and April Moto (a specialist broker). Generalist insurers (Macif, Allianz, MAAF) stay 20 to 30% more expensive on two-wheelers.
• The average price of motorcycle insurance in France sits around 440 euros per year, but varies from single to triple depending on engine size, the plan (third-party or comprehensive) and the rider profile.

Comparing motorcycle insurance means weighing three families of players: specialist two-wheeler brokers, militant mutuals and generalist insurers. Rather than an anonymous price comparison tool, this ranking sorts providers on concrete criteria: a specialist knows the real claims history of each model where a generalist applies a standard grid, and the gap widens fast on both coverage and price. Here is the ranking of the best motorcycle insurance in 2026, compared on specialization, breadth of coverage, roadside assistance and customer satisfaction. For motorcycle gear specifically, see our comparison of the best motorcycle gear coverage.

The best motorcycle insurance 2026 in one table

The picture is clear: the top four spots go to two-wheeler specialists, able to cover gear, roadside assistance from the very first kilometre and the atypical profiles that generalists sometimes turn away. The detail item by item is in our comparison of the best motorcycle gear coverage.

1. AMV: the best motorcycle insurance on the market

Overall rating: ★★★★★ (4.7/5)

AMV has been a specialist broker for motorcycle, scooter, quad, jet-ski and classic vehicle insurance since 1974. The French number one for two-wheelers, it covers more than one million policyholders with 300 advisers trained on motorcycles and based in Bordeaux. This specialization translates into rates adjusted to the model rather than a standard grid, and into coverage designed for riders: theft and fire, gear coverage up to the highest cap on the market, and roadside assistance from 0 km with a replacement bike. A member of the Generali group through L’Équité, AMV holds the Label Excellence des Dossiers de l’Épargne.

AMV pros

• 100% two-wheeler specialist for 50 years, expertise on every segment (naked, sport, adventure, maxi-scooter)
• The most generous gear coverage on the market, helmet and airbag included
• Roadside assistance from 0 km with breakdown cover and replacement bike included
• Places the atypical profiles (new licence, previously cancelled, high-mileage) that generalists turn away
• Online quote 24/7 and instant subscription, rated 4.7/5 across more than 5,300 verified reviews

AMV cons

• Offer centred on two-wheelers, less relevant for bundling car and home
• Gear reimbursement on invoice, proofs of purchase must be kept
• Fully remote and phone-based network, no local branch

2. Mutuelle des Motards: the militant mutual alternative

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

Created in 1983 by the French Federation of Angry Riders, the Mutuelle des Motards insures two-wheelers exclusively with a strong road-safety philosophy. Its mutual model, with no shareholders to pay, lets it offer consistent premiums and no depreciation in the first year on gear. It is the natural alternative to AMV for riders attached to a committed insurer.

Mutuelle des Motards pros

• Mutual model, no premium surcharge tied to dividends
• Zero depreciation in the first year on gear, assessment by rider technicians
• Real commitment to prevention and road safety

Mutuelle des Motards cons

• Claims processing times that lengthen in high season
• Gear coverage sometimes optional on the basic third-party plan
• Rates less aggressive than brokers on some young rider profiles

3. April Moto: the best coverage-to-price ratio as an option

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

April Moto is a specialist two-wheeler broker known for the clarity of its plans and its paperless claims handling. A claim is filed from the app, photos included, and the cap-to-price ratio of its options is among the best for riders who do not want a full comprehensive plan. A safe bet for the connected rider.

April Moto pros

• Claim filing and tracking 100% from the app
• New-for-old value on gear for 12 months
• Clear plans, good coverage-to-price ratio on options

April Moto cons

• Gear coverage always optional, never included by default
• Faster depreciation from the second year than AMV
• Roadside assistance from 0 km depends on the plan chosen

4. Solly Azar: the flexible broker

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

Solly Azar is a wholesale broker that offers modular motorcycle contracts, useful for profiles that classic companies place with difficulty. Its subscription flexibility is its main strength, at the cost of pricing a notch above the leading specialists.

Solly Azar pros

• Flexible subscription, suited to previously cancelled or high-malus profiles
• Wide choice of à la carte coverage
• Good relay for atypical and high-displacement two-wheelers

Solly Azar cons

• Average rates, above AMV and April on standard profiles
• Gear and assistance coverage depend on the underlying contract
• Claims handling less consistent from one contract to another

5. Direct Assurance: the aggressive pure player

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (3.8/5)

Direct Assurance, the AXA group pure player, relies on an aggressive price and 100% online subscription. The comprehensive plan includes decent gear coverage, but the lack of a dedicated two-wheeler expert shows in claims assessment. A good choice for the self-reliant rider who prioritizes price.

Direct Assurance pros

• Among the lowest rates on the market
• 100% online subscription and management, digital claim report
• Backed by the AXA group, financial strength

Direct Assurance cons

• No dedicated two-wheeler expert, assessment by car experts
• Gear coverage reserved for comprehensive
• Less in-depth advice on complex profiles

6. Macif: the solid but standardized generalist

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)

The Macif offers the reassurance of a large generalist and a network of physical branches, handy for riders who want to bundle motorcycle, car and home. The trade-off is a standardized pricing grid, uncompetitive on pure motorcycle profiles, and limited gear caps.

Macif pros

• Network of physical branches for file follow-up
• Interesting multi-policy member discounts
• Good general customer satisfaction

Macif cons

• Motorcycle rate 20 to 30% above specialists
• Limited gear cap, new-for-old value rare
• Offer not dedicated to two-wheelers

7. Allianz: high-end rider injury cover

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5)

Allianz stands out with one of the highest rider injury covers on the market, a real asset to protect your own injuries on a motorcycle. The rest of the contract remains that of a premium generalist, with a higher premium and an average gear cap.

Allianz pros

• Very high rider bodily injury cover
• Extended geographic coverage included
• Premium legal service in case of dispute

Allianz cons

• High motorcycle premium, 30 to 40% above brokers
• Average gear cap
• Depreciation applied from the first year

8. MAAF: the minimum for multi-policy households

Overall rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.4/5)

The MAAF closes this ranking. Its appeal lies mainly in the multi-policy bundle for households already insured for car and home. On the motorcycle alone, coverage and caps lag behind specialists.

MAAF pros

• Network of 700 branches
• Advantageous mobility pack car + motorcycle
• Fee-free monthly payment

MAAF cons

• Among the lowest caps on the market
• Airbag often excluded from standard coverage
• No specialist two-wheeler advice

How to choose the best motorcycle insurance?

The best motorcycle insurance is not the same for every rider. The right contract depends on engine size, usage, the rider’s experience and the budget. Four criteria make the difference.

Third-party or comprehensive: which plan to choose?

The third-party plan covers civil liability, the legal minimum. The intermediate plan adds theft, fire and broken glass. The comprehensive plan also covers damage to the two-wheeler, even in an at-fault accident. For a recent or valuable motorcycle, comprehensive remains the most protective. For an older machine, an extended third-party plan with theft and fire is often enough.

The complementary coverage that matters

Gear coverage, assistance from 0 km, replacement bike, legal protection and above all rider injury cover change the real experience after a claim. Rider injury cover, which protects the rider’s own injuries, is the most often neglected item even though it is essential on a motorcycle. The level of protection also depends on the vehicle, as detailed in the comparison of the best A2 motorcycle.

The rider profile and the bonus-malus

A new A2 licence, a previously cancelled rider or a rider with a good no-claims bonus do not pay the same rate. A specialist broker knows how to place the profiles that generalists refuse, then supports the move to wider coverage as the bonus improves. The young rider surcharge generally applies for 2 to 3 years after obtaining the licence.

The average price and quality of service

The average price of motorcycle insurance is around 440 euros per year, but a 125 cc on a third-party plan costs far less than a sport bike on comprehensive for a new licence. Beyond price, claims speed, adviser availability and subscription simplicity carry a lot of weight. Verified reviews and independent labels remain the best indicators of real service quality. For city use, the choice of vehicle also weighs on the bill, as shown by the comparison of the best 125cc motorcycle.

Taking out the right two-wheeler insurance: what to know

Before subscribing, it helps to know that the different motorcycle insurance contracts come down to the balance between cost and coverage. A third-party policy protects the legal minimum, where a more complete contract covers both the two-wheeler and the rider. On the two-wheeler insurance segment, a specialist broker’s advice makes the difference in the final comparison: it points toward the plan truly suited to the profile rather than a standard offer. The same reflex applies to every engine size, from the urban scooter to the big sport bike.

Frequently asked questions