BICYCLE INSURANCE

Written by

David Joyson

Home Insurance Expert & Customer Champion

Reviewed by

Emily Young

Content & Digital Marketing Executive

Homeprotect does not provide standalone bicycle insurance. Rather bicycles can typically be covered under home contents insurance – both inside and away from the home. Read more about our contents insurance. 

Bicycle theft is a big problem that could leave you financially stranded if you’re a cyclist. The risk of theft is common to all types and makes of push bikes regardless of how much they are worth. According to cyclist.co.uk, more than 1,000 bikes are stolen every day across the UK, which is equal to approximately one bike stolen every 90 seconds!

So whether you use a pedal cycle to commute to work or have a custom-made road bike, we can help you protect your wheels comprehensively.

Preventing bicycle theft is key

Take steps to reduce the risk of bicycle theft. Firstly, register your bicycle on BikeRegister.com; this website is used by the Police across the UK and is used to reunite owners with their stolen bicycles.

Secondly, secure your bike in a well-lit area with two high quality locks. Using two different types of lock makes it harder to break. When securing your bicycle, lock both wheels and the frame to a solid object such as a bike stand and remove all riding accessories. You might also consider investing in a tracker device, or marking each part of your bike with a UV pen.

Lastly, even if you keep your bicycle in a garage or shed overnight, lock it to something heavy and immovable. If a thief has noticed you storing your bike away then it needs to be as difficult as possible for them to get into the garage and make off with it.

Get the right level of cover to suit your situation

The cost of repairing or replacing a pedal cycle that is stolen or damaged at your home can be significant. If you have bicycles worth £1,500 or more then you will need to specify them individually when you buy your policy to be covered on a new for old basis whilst the bike is kept at the house. Bicycles worth less than £1,500 are covered as standard inside the home.

Similarly, if you regularly use your bicycle away from the home then make sure you specify it on your policy. This provides you with cover for theft or attempted theft and physical damage when outside the home, such as leaving your bike at a train station. Public liability insurance is included, in case of an accident involving a pedestrian or another road user.

HERE’S AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE DIFFERENT COVER LEVELS AVAILABLE WITH THE HOMEPROTECT POLICY FOR YOUR BICYCLE:

Not specified individually on the policy

• Covered when stored in the home or in an attached garage: Yes, on a new for old basis for bikes worth under £1,500.
• Covered when stored in detached garage/outbuilding: Yes but only for bikes worth under £1,500 and only up to the £1,500 claims limit for possessions in outbuilding.
• Covered away from the home for theft and damage: No.

Specified individually, but cover away from the home not selected

• Covered when stored in the home or in an attached garage: Yes, up to the replacement value specified.
• Covered when stored in detached garage/outbuilding: Yes, up to the replacement value specified.
• Covered away from the home for theft and damage: No.

Specified individually, with cover away from the home selected

• Covered when stored in the home or in an attached garage: Yes, up to the replacement value specified.
• Covered when stored in detached garage/outbuilding: Yes, up to the replacement value specified.
• Covered away from home for theft and damage: Yes, up to the replacement value specified.

Cover all the pedal cycles in the home

There’s no limit to the number of bicycles you can insure under your Homeprotect home insurance policy. But if your bicycles are individually worth £1,500 or more or you want cover away from the home then we just need to know the make, model and cost to replace each one as new. 

Don’t forget to let us know about any electronic gadgets and any high risk items worth £1,500 or more that you have too.

What’s covered by contents insurance?

Having contents insurance means you won’t be out of pocket if you need to repair or replace your belongings after they’ve been stolen, damaged or destroyed.

What we offer

What isn’t included?

Contents Insurance Cover Levels

Our contents insurance is designed to protect your belongings against insured events such as fire, storm, flood, escape of water, theft, malicious damage, subsidence, landslip or heave.