Motorbike Insurance in Italy: What It Costs in 2026

How much does motorbike or scooter insurance cost in Italy? It is the first question for anyone about to buy a used bike, and the figures floating around disagree wildly. The reason is simple: some sources report the average premium actually paid, others report online quotes, and the price swings with province, engine size and rider profile. This guide lines up the most solid 2026 numbers and shows how to cut the bill without going uninsured.

The average: IVASS data

The most authoritative reference is the insurance regulator IVASS and its quarterly statistics. For Q2 2026, according to Statistical Communication no. 7/2026 of 24 September, the average compulsory third-party (RC) premium is 321 euros for motorcycles, up 6.1% year on year, and 203 euros for mopeds, up 3.8% [1]. These are premiums actually paid and cover only the mandatory liability cover, not theft, fire or rider injury.

The headline figure hides large regional gaps: in half of Italian provinces a motorcycle policy costs less than 261 euros on average, while the most expensive band runs from 297 to 606 euros, led by Naples, Caserta, Salerno and Catania [1]. Year-on-year increases range from +3.4% in Sondrio to +24.8% in Crotone.

Why quotes come out higher than the average

Run a quote today and you will often land well above 321 euros. Consumer group Altroconsumo found an average premium of 630 euros in Q4 2025, against 521 euros a year earlier (+21%) [2]. That does not contradict IVASS: the survey measures quotes for one specific profile (45 years old, new bike, merit class CU 01, 7,500 km a year), not premiums actually collected, which include many customers with years of insurance history.

The examples are telling. For a Honda SH 125 the average premium runs from 1,080 euros in Milan to 2,131 in Naples; for a Transalp XL750, from 1,223 to 2,071 [2]. Against Milan, Altroconsumo found prices 60% higher in Rome, 71% higher in Palermo and 102% higher in Naples, more than double.

How much engine size matters

As an order of magnitude, Allianz Direct estimates these annual costs for 2026 [3]:

• Up to 125 cc: 180-300 euros
• 300-600 cc (A2 licence): 250-400 euros
• 600-900 cc: 350-500 euros
• Over 1000 cc: from 450 euros, often above 700

These are one insurer's estimates, not market averages, so treat them as indicative. The same source says age, years since passing the test, province and risk certificate can move the final price by up to 60% [3].

The factors that really move the price

1. Province of residence: the heaviest factor, and one you cannot change, but knowing where you start avoids surprises.
2. Age and years of licence: new riders pay more, even on a small bike.
3. Merit class and risk certificate: a claim-free history lowers the premium. On a used purchase, remember the merit class follows the owner, not the vehicle.
4. Engine size and power: a 125 usually costs less than a 600, but in Naples a scooter can cost more than a bike in Milan.
5. Extra cover: theft cover is the most requested for scooters in big cities, but it can easily double the price.

How to save without going uncovered

Altroconsumo's first rule is to compare several insurers: the saving between the cheapest offer and the average premium reaches 42% for petrol bikes, about 690 euros, and 45% for electric models, about 584 euros [2]. Concrete cases: a Transalp in Palermo at 621 euros against an 1,880 average, a Seat Mó 125 in Milan at 405 against 835 [2].

Other useful moves:

• Do not auto-renew. Compare quotes before the policy expires.
• Exclusive or expert driver clauses: restricting the policy to experienced riders lowers the premium [3].
• Winter suspension: if the bike sits for months, Allianz Direct suggests suspending the policy [3]. Check your contract terms.
• Protect your merit class: consider paying small damages yourself rather than filing a claim, after weighing the case carefully.

A bike parked in the garage still needs cover

A common mistake is assuming a parked bike does not need insurance. Altroconsumo notes the obligation generally remains even if the vehicle sits in a garage: you can keep the policy active, ask for the contract to be suspended, or scrap the vehicle. You may skip cover only if the vehicle is truly unusable and you can prove it [2]. If you are buying a used bike that has sat idle, check the insurance is in order before riding it.

Before buying a used motorbike

Insurance is part of the real cost of a used bike, as much as road tax and servicing. Before you decide:

1. Get two or three quotes with your own profile, using the plate or model and your province.
2. Compare the annual cost with a smaller-engine alternative.
3. Check whether you can inherit a family merit class, if the insurer allows it.
4. Make sure the seller has paid the latest premium and that cover is valid up to the ownership transfer.

The short version

The average RC premium is 321 euros for motorcycles and 203 euros for mopeds according to IVASS, but quotes for a new rider on a new bike are much higher and depend mostly on province. Comparing insurers can save 40 to 45%. Get quotes before you sign: the sticker price of the bike is only part of the spend.

Further reading

1. IVASS, Statistical Communication no. 7/2026 of 24 September 2026, reported by Sbircia la Notizia, 28 September 2026.
2. Altroconsumo, RC moto 2026: premi +21% in un anno, come risparmiare, 21 April 2026.
3. Allianz Direct, Fasce di cilindrata per assicurazione moto.