ozzy

Get the legal protection, it's normally only like a tenner and worth having incase you get screwed over. Lot's of bike insurance companies will give you Third party only cover to ride other bikes that are not yours, which is useful if you want a go on a mates bike, or have yours in for repair etc. Good little perk. Mine is with a company called 'La Parisienne' with another underwriter (CIA insurance) try them. I think it was through Compare the market.

Compulsory excess is what you have to pay by way of your policy legally.
Voluntary excess is what you agree to pay on top of the above, normally lowers your insurance a bit.

Lexham insurance are good. Been with them before.
Express insurance are a bunch of...