New cyclists warned of simple rules that could void insurance

Those new to cycling have been warned of six reasons that could invalidate their bicycle insurance.

The bicycle insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have looked at possible reasons why an insurer may not pay out and are offering tips on how to make sure the cover stays valid.

In 2023, England & Wales police forces received 64,492 crime reports about bicycle theft, giving an overall crime rate of 1.1 per 1,000 people.

Although this is a 12% decline* from the previous year, it’s still thousands of bicycles being stolen each year, so extra safety precautions are important.  

Quotezone conducted a survey to help find out more, over a quarter of people (26%) said either they or a friend or family member, had experienced bicycle theft, however, only one in three (35%) admit to actively taking steps to protect their bicycle when leaving it in public.**

Those new to cycling this summer might not realise that their bicycle can become unprotected if their insurance is declared void.  Most insurance providers stipulate you must use an approved lock, store it out of sight, keep hold of the original receipt and check the fine print of any medications you’re currently taking.

Lee Evans, bicycle insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Over the last year we’ve witnessed the amount of reported bike thefts fall but there are still thousands of thefts reported year on year. Taking out insurance covers cyclists if their bike is stolen, but it’s important to be aware the policy could be easily invalidated by inadvertently breaking some simple rules such as not using an approved lock or leaving it unattended for too long in certain locations.

“Our data trends showed the most popular types of bikes are currently road, mountain and city bikes, with the most popular priced between £1,000 – £2,000, closely followed by the £2,000 to £3,000 bracket – making it important that these bikes are secured correctly and have additional insurance protection.

“You can find savings on bicycle insurance by shopping around, reviewing multi-bike discounts and by paying annually.  You might also be able to find savings by adding your bicycle to your home insurance so it’s worth double checking – just note, some policies may only cover theft from the home and if the bicycle costs over £1000 it will need specified as such on the policy which may increase the overall premium price.”

Reasons your bicycle insurance could become invalid:

1. Securing your cycle

Securing your bike is most likely something you do automatically but do check the small print in your policy for any stipulations. For example, there may be a specific list of approved locks you need to choose from with various ratings, depending on the value of your bike.  Also, you normally need to have the lock through the main frame and any quick release wheels – secured to an immovable object.  If you’re not sure, check with your insurer. Also check at home storage, you may need to use an anchor lock cemented into the ground or an immovable object and store the bike out of sight from any windows.

2. Using your bike to make money

If you use your bike to make money, for example as a courier, or for takeaway delivery, then your bike isn’t covered under your standard bicycle insurance. You will need to take out separate cover such as bicycle courier insurance.

3. Unattended options

Some insurance providers say if you leave your bicycle in your eyeline within 5 metres of where you’re sitting, say grabbing a coffee mid-cycle, then you should still be covered in the event of theft but it’s important to note that all insurance providers are different so cyclists need to check their policies for dos and don’ts. The small print in your policy may also state how long you can leave your bike unattended for and any separate stipulations on location i.e. some may not cover leaving your bike unattended at a railway station or have a time limit of how long you can do so.

4. Check your history

If you’ve claimed previously on bicycle insurance, make sure your insurer is aware. If you fail to inform them of any bicycle-related losses in the last three years, they could deny a claim or your insurance could become invalid.

5. Keep your receipt

If you do make a claim, you will need proof of ownership. The original receipt or a letter from the cycle shop confirming the purchase details with a date included – to help stop people making fraudulent claims.

6. Check medications

Your insurance won’t cover you if you break the law, ride recklessly or if you’re cycling under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Note some medications specifically say not to ride a bike if you start to suffer any side effects such as drowsiness or blurred vision. Always check the instructions and if the label says ‘do not operate heavy machinery’, that often includes riding a bike, so double check with your pharmacist. 

References:
* https://crimerate.co.uk/bicycle-theft

 **SURVEY – Quotezone.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during June 2024, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.