Cycling has become an increasingly popular and important activity in modern society because of the number of benefits it offers from a health, environmental and economic perspective. However, there are certain factors you need to consider as a cyclist to keep you and your possession safe.
You need to follow safety protocols when travelling on roads and in busy areas, use protective equipment and ensure that you store your bicycle in a safe location. Additionally, cycle insurance could be an incredibly beneficial cover that can offer you peace of mind that you and your bike will be protected should the worst happen.
Cycle insurance can protect your investment, so you can experience every ride worry-free. If you’re interested in getting cycle insurance, it’s important that you understand the documents that you will be presented when purchasing a policy.
In this article, we discuss the policy documents for cycle insurance from ALA, how to understand them and outline the documentation necessary to make a claim.
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There are two documents that you receive after purchasing cycle insurance with ALA: a Policy Wording and an Insurance Product Information Document (IPID).
The Policy Wording outlines the terms and conditions of your insurance coverage. Information contained in this document includes policy eligibility criteria, security requirements, policy cancellation and complaint procedures, and details about how to make a claim. You can also find out what to do in the event of a change in circumstances, what you are and aren’t insured for and the definition of keywords contained within the policy document.
The IPID is a standalone document that serves as a summative version of the Policy Wording. It presents relevant information concerning:
What is and is not insured on the policy
Any restrictions on cover
Where you are covered
Your obligations as the policyholder
When and how to pay your premium
When the policy term starts and ends
How to cancel your policy
The IPID provides a clear overview of the cycle insurance cover you’re considering and should be the first document you read before purchasing a policy. It summarises only the key information and avoids the use of technical jargon. For instance, your cycle insurance IPID contains a tabled list of what your insurance does and doesn’t cover for easy consultation. It’s important that you don’t use an IPID as a replacement for your Policy Wording, as it doesn’t contain the full terms and conditions.
You can use the IPIDs provided by different bicycle insurance providers to compare the different levels of cover on offer. See our sample IPID for our cycle cover here.
You should use the Policy Wording to understand the appropriate procedures related to your bike insurance cover and your responsibilities as the policyholder, as well as ALA’s role as the insurance broker The document clearly defines a sequence of steps to follow should you need to make changes to your policy, file a claim, update your personal information, make a complaint and more. See our sample cycle insurance Policy Wording here.
If your bike has been stolen or damaged through vandalism, and you wish to claim it on your cycle insurance, the first thing you will need is an incident or crime number from the police. This needs to be obtained within 48 hours of the crime taking place. When you report a crime, the operator provides you with a unique reference number that you can use to make subsequent calls and receive updates on a case.
For any cycle insurance claim, you will need to provide evidence of ownership. This could be the original retailer invoice or receipt, a gift receipt, or evidence of an insurance replacement.
You will also need to provide the insured bike’s frame number, which is usually seven to 10 digits long. For most bicycles this can be found under the bottom bracket, but it occasionally appears on the inside of the chain stay, the down tube or the top tube. For carbon fibre frames, the number will be etched into the surface of the frame or displayed on a sticker.
Can you get insurance to take your bike abroad?
Yes, ALA includes worldwide cover on all insurance plans for those who want to take their bike on an adventure abroad. It covers you and your bicycle for up to 30 consecutive days per trip.
What are the security requirements for cycle insurance?
Damage or theft of the cycle whilst at the insured location will only be covered in circumstances where the cycle is kept inside self-contained, locked premises or a privately accessed outbuilding owned by you or your direct family members. The item must also be secured by the frame with a lock that is approved for the value of the bike to an immovable object within the self-contained space or outbuilding.
If your cycle is away from the insured location, it must have been properly secured to an immovable object through the frame using an approved lock. The cycle also shouldn’t be left unattended in a public place or outside of your place of employment for more than 24 hours prior.
Theft whilst the cycle is in or on a vehicle shall only be covered in circumstances where all doors, windows and other openings of the vehicle are properly closed and secured, access to the cycle required violent entry, and the cycle is out of sight (i.e., not left on a bike rack overnight) or secured as much as possible with an approved lock. The vehicle in question must also have valid motor and MOT insurance, current road tax and windows that are able to be locked and secured.
If my cycle insurance claim is successful, will I get a new bike, cash, or will mine be repaired?
The outcome of your claim usually depends on the circumstances. For instance, in the event of a theft or damages, we can agree to pay for repair or replacement of bike up to the amount you have chosen for your level of cover.
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