Bike insurance
We often form a strong attachment to our bikes and it’s nice to get covered so you can replace your bike if you happen to find it’s been stolen.
Make sure you lock your bike properly with a quality lock (the best you can afford), lock it in plain view of people and ideally lock it with other (better!) bikes.
Choosing insurance
To insure your bicycle and accessories for theft, events, accidental damage, and travel, you have a few options. These include home insurance with extra cover for your bikes or a stand- alone or bicycle-only policy.
Insurance for a stand-alone policy will start from around £50+ per year for a stand-alone policy. We did a quote for a £1000 bike, injury, third party cover and legal assistance for about £80 per year.
Protect your baby!
Factors to consider
How to choose the right cover. Cost will be a factor, but makes sure you have the extras you want.
Consider joining Cycling UK
“By joining Cycling UK, you’ll automatically receive £10m third-party liability insurance. This will cover you if you damage another person or their property; for example, if you were to accidentally cause injury to a fellow rider or hit a car.”
Free legal advice: “Cycling UK membership includes access to our personal injury incident line on a no-win, no-fee basis. Our legal partner Cycle SOS does not charge a success fee, so members keep 100% of any compensation.”
Discounted insurance: “Cycling UK members get exclusive deals on cycle insurance with Yellow Jersey, or specialist combined bike and home insurance policy with Pedal Cover. There are offers for short-term cover and renewal discounts, too.”
Bike cover (new/old)
Will you get a like-for-like offer or the value of a new bike? Check this information, as you might find they’ll give you less than you need to replace the bike. They might argue your £1000 bike is now worth only £400 as it’s 5 years old, for example.
Excess
The amount you’ll have to pay to activate a claim. This might be around £50-100 (higher excess will reduce the total price.
Locking your bike
Check for whether they specify certain types of lock. Many will insist you have a "gold" standard lock.
Public Liability and third party
You could be deemed liable for accidentally injuring someone or damaging property whilst cycling. You may want to be covered for this.
Legal cover
Support may be provided for pursuing a civil claim following a road accident involving the insured Bicycle and insured person. Also included is access 24 hours a day 365 days a year to The Legal Claims Notification & Advice Helpline Service.
Personal accident
An insure could pay out if you have a collision with an amount based on the severity of your injuries.
E.g. £10000-50000 for permanent disablement resulting from a collision
Loss of earnings
Financial support if you’re injured whilst cycling and unable to work.
Home insurance
Speak to your home insurer. You may be able to add your bicycle to your home insurance policy or sometimes it may be covered automatically (you’ll need to check). Be aware that there may be a fairly low limit on the value of the bike.
If you rent or don’t own a home, or if you have an expensive bike, a stand-alone bicycle insurance might be best.
Check if your bike will be covered away from home, rather than just in the house/garage/shed.
Home insurance examples
Pedal Cover have designed a policy with their underwriter NIG (part of the Direct Line Group) to provide extended cover for cyclists. Along with buildings and contents cover, your bicycles will be covered away from home for theft and damage, even if you are taking them on holiday or participating in cycling events.
Examples and prices
Prices will vary widely depending on the cost of the bike, address and level of cover or extras. We found a stand-alone quote for £80 per year for a £1000 bike with legal cover, injury compensation and third party/public liability.
Their ‘Essentials’ package will cover theft, accidental damage and personal accident while riding in the UK. Their ‘Performance’ package extends cover to Europe and while riding in cycling events. And their ‘Ultimate pedal cycle insurance’ package will cover your bikes worldwide, and even while racing.
Stand-alone insurance examples
“If your bike is stolen, and it was bought new and is less than 3 years old, we’ll replace it with a brand new bike.”
Our insurance has been designed to suit a wide variety of cyclists whose interests span a range of disciplines. From those who love the thrill of downhill, to daily commuters and eBike riders, our straightforward policy means you can have the cover you need to cycle with confidence.