Which insurers offer the best motorcycle gear coverage?

Key takeaways

1. AMV Assurances posts the highest cap in the comparison in 2026: 2,000 euros, helmet replaced at new value for 24 months and airbag vest included, all bundled from the third-party + theft formula upwards. On the sole criterion of the insured amount, it is the policy that pays back the most.
2. Mutuelle des Motards (1,600 euros, no depreciation in year one) and April Moto (1,500 euros) complete the podium. For recent gear, the absence of depreciation in the first year often makes Mutuelle des Motards more rewarding than a higher cap eaten away by write-downs. Generalist insurers cap their payouts between 800 and 1,200 euros.
3. A full set of gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, airbag) represents 1,000 to 2,500 euros of investment. Without this essential guarantee, none of it gets reimbursed after a claim.

A decent helmet costs 400 euros, a certified jacket 300, an airbag vest 600. All in, a rider carries 1,000 to 2,500 euros on their back. And the basic cover of a motorcycle policy pays for none of it: without an explicit motorcycle gear coverage clause, the insurer reimburses the bike, not what you wear. The level of this guarantee varies threefold between companies. Here is the top 7 insurers on this exact criterion, a direct companion to our young driver 125 insurance ranking.

The top 7 gear guarantees in one table

The gaps are stark. Between the AMV cap and the MAAF one, the difference reaches 1,200 euros, the price of a high-end helmet and an airbag vest combined.

1. AMV Assurances: the highest cap on the market

Gear rating: ★★★★★ (4.9/5)

AMV Assurances, a two-wheeler specialist broker since 1974, covers helmet and gear up to 2,000 euros, the highest amount among the 7 policies studied. What puts it at the top of this comparison is that figure, not a blanket advantage. The guarantee is also included from the third-party + theft formula, where almost every competitor charges it as an add-on. The helmet is replaced at new value for 24 months, and airbag vests fall within the covered scope.

AMV pros

• 2,000 euro cap, unmatched among the 7 insurers compared
• 24-month new-value clause on the helmet, twice as long as anywhere else
• Electronic airbag covered at no extra premium
• Guarantee included from third-party + theft, no need for comprehensive
• No specific deductible on the gear line

AMV cons

• Reimbursement on invoice only: without proof of purchase, payout drops to a flat allowance
• Gear is only covered in a crash or theft together with the bike, not on its own
• Beyond 24 months, 10% yearly depreciation applies

2. Mutuelle des Motards: zero depreciation in year one

Gear rating: ★★★★☆ (4.6/5)

Founded by the FFMC riders’ federation in 1983, Mutuelle des Motards caps its gear guarantee at 1,600 euros but applies a rule nobody else offers: no depreciation at all during the first year, whatever the damaged item. For a rider with recent gear, it is often the most advantageous option in the comparison: a new helmet and jacket destroyed within the year are reimbursed at 100% of their price, whereas depreciation chips away at the payout on policies with a higher cap. Consistent with its safety-first positioning, the riders’ mutual also covers airbags and rewards CE-certified gear.

Mutuelle des Motards pros

• Zero depreciation for 12 months on all gear
• Airbag covered by default, including 700 euro electronic models
• 5 to 10% premium discount for full CE-certified equipment
• Claims assessed by rider technicians

Mutuelle des Motards cons

• Cap sits 400 euros below AMV
• Charged as a 40 euro per year option on the basic third-party formula
• Claim processing slows down in high season (up to 3 weeks in summer)

3. April Moto: the best paid option

Gear rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

April Moto charges 35 euros per year for its gear guarantee with a 1,500 euro cap and a 12-month new-value clause. The cap-to-price ratio remains the best on the market for riders who do not want a specialist broker’s full package. Claims are filed in 2 taps from the app, with photos of the damaged gear.

April Moto pros

• 1,500 euro cap for only 35 euros per year
• 12-month new-value clause on all gear, not just the helmet
• Claim filing and tracking 100% in-app

April Moto cons

• The helmet is sub-capped at 600 euros within the total
• Always an option, never included in any formula
• 15% yearly depreciation from year two, faster than AMV

4. Direct Assurance: decent but comprehensive-only

Gear rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.6/5)

Direct Assurance, the AXA group’s online pure player, includes a 1,200 euro gear guarantee in its comprehensive formula. No option exists on intermediate formulas: it is all or nothing. The positioning suits riders already set on maximum cover, far less those on third-party + theft.

Direct Assurance pros

• 1,200 euro cap included in comprehensive at no extra cost
• 24-hour online claim handling, digital accident report built in
• Backed by the AXA group’s financial strength

Direct Assurance cons

• Unavailable on third-party or third-party + theft, even as a paid option
• 10% depreciation per year from day one, no new-value clause
• No dedicated two-wheeler experts, assessment by car assessors

5. Macif: the generalist’s limited cap

Gear rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.4/5)

Macif sells a gear option at 25 euros per year, the cheapest in this comparison, but with a 1,000 euro cap that barely covers a high-end helmet and a pair of gloves. The guarantee mainly targets the helmet; jackets and boots are reimbursed against rather conservative internal scales.

Macif pros

• The cheapest option on the market (25 euros per year)
• Stacks with the multi-policy member discount (up to 15%)
• Physical branch network for claim follow-up

Macif cons

• 1,000 euro cap, not enough for a full set of gear
• Internal reimbursement scales on jackets and boots, often below real prices
• No new-value clause, immediate depreciation

6. Allianz: strong personal injury cover, average cap

Gear rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.2/5)

Allianz France caps helmet and gear at 1,000 euros, an average level given the company’s premium positioning. Allianz’s strength lies elsewhere: rider personal injury cover climbs to 350,000 euros, the highest ceiling on the market. Gear remains the poor relation of the contract.

Allianz pros

• Gear option paired with 350,000 euros of personal injury cover
• Extended coverage across Europe + Morocco + Tunisia included
• Premium legal assistance in case of payout disputes

Allianz cons

• 1,000 euro cap only, same as Macif for a higher overall premium
• Allianz motorcycle premiums run 30 to 40% above specialist brokers
• Depreciation applied from day one

7. MAAF: the bare minimum

Gear rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.9/5)

MAAF closes this ranking with an 800 euro cap, the lowest of the 7 insurers compared. Enough to replace a mid-range helmet and gloves, little more. Airbag vests are not part of the standard guarantee and require a specific paid extension.

MAAF pros

• Network of 700 physical branches to handle a claim face to face
• Fee-free monthly payment of the option
• Car + motorcycle bundle at -10% which partially offsets the gap

MAAF cons

• 800 euro cap, the weakest of the top 7
• Airbag excluded from the standard guarantee
• No new-value clause, among the harshest depreciation scales

What motorcycle gear coverage actually pays for

By definition, a gear guarantee reimburses the protective items worn at the time of the accident: helmet, gloves, jacket, trousers, boots and airbag vest. Note that motorcycle accessories fixed to the bike (top case, heated grips, tall screen) fall under a separate accessories guarantee in the insurance contract, not to be confused at subscription time. Three points to check before signing.

• Invoices rule. Without proof of purchase, most insurers apply a flat allowance of 150 to 300 euros. Keep your receipts, even as photos.
• Depreciation changes everything. A 10 to 15% yearly write-down means a 400 euro jacket bought 4 years ago gets reimbursed 160 to 240 euros. New-value clauses (AMV, Mutuelle des Motards, April) neutralise that write-down for 12 to 24 months.
• CE-certified gloves have been mandatory in France since the November 2016 decree. Riding without certified gloves can justify a payout reduction, including on other items.

According to the French road safety observatory ONISR’s 2024 report, motorised two-wheeler riders account for 22% of road fatalities for less than 2% of traffic. Gear is the rider’s only protection, which explains why specialist insurers make it a central selling point. The choice of bike matters too: an urban scooter exposes you less than a sportbike, as detailed in our best 125 scooter comparison.

For new licence holders, gear coverage is negotiated together with the main policy. Our best A2 motorcycle guide covers the overall insurance budget to plan for a first big bike.

Frequently asked questions