Cycle insurance explained: insurance requirements

There are few things you will need to think about when you hop on your bike, including making
sure you are safe for the activity you are undertaking and that you are protected in case of theft
or an unexpected personal accident.

Even though you might take good care of your bike, there is still a chance that it gets stolen or
damaged. Specialist cycle insurance provides
financial protection and peace of mind in case the unexpected happens.

In this article, we will cover the eligibility requirements of an ALA cycle insurance policy as
well as the security requirements you will have to follow to keep your bike cover valid.

Cycle insurance requirements

To get the right kind of bike insurance for you from a provider such as ALA, there are certain
requirements that you will need to meet. To purchase a policy, you must be at least 18
years of age and a permanent resident of the United Kingdom.

ALA will only agree to an insurance cover for your bike if you can provide
proof of ownership,  original images, a frame number and the value of your bike. The
maximum value we can provide cover for is £15,000. You will also need to make sure that the bike
is in good working order and in your possession at the time of policy inception. ALA covers a
range of cycle types, including road bikes, mountain bikes and electric bikes.

Security requirements

There are several security requirements that you will need to meet in order to make a cycling insurance claim when it comes to theft or accidental damage. These relate to where you can keep your cycle while it is not in use, and how it should be secured. Essentially, you should take every reasonable measure to prevent bike theft from home and while you are out.

On the insured location

When your bicycle is not being used, it must, at all times, be secured with a lock that has been approved by your insurance policy
as appropriate for the value of the bike.

Your insured location is a secure place that you will usually store your bike, this is often
inside your home or a secure outbuilding. Your insured location should only be accessible by
members of your immediate family or be secured properly at all times. Bicycle insurance is a
helpful addition to cover valuable bikes that may not be entirely covered by home contents
insurance.

Insured locations may include the following:

• Your home address: including its privately accessed
  garage(s)
• A private, lockable shed or outbuilding at your home
  address
• A lockable, private room if you live in shared
  accommodation
• A purpose-built cycle-storage facility
• A short-term holiday residence. Please read about our
  worldwide cover for more information.
• Other locations must be agreed prior to your policy start
  date.

Any other locations should be agreed with us prior to the start of your policy, and you should
always secure your bike through the frame and wheels to an immovable object with an approved lock
for the value of the bike. Any insurance provider could reject your claim if you failed to
adequately secure your insured bike.

*for garages, sheds and outbuildings, all windows and doors should be secured with 5-lever
mortice deadlock, multi-point locking, or CEN grade 3 closed shackle padlock and be kept securely
locked at all times. Garages with an electric or ‘up and over’ door must be approved by ‘Secured
by Design’, the police-approved security initiative. If your garage or outbuilding doesn’t meet
these requirements, secure your bike to an immovable object with an approved lock.

Away from the insured location

If you want to secure your bike in a public place or outside of your place of work during the
day, the bike must be secured through its frame and wheels to an immovable object using an
appropriate lock for the value of your bike. It cannot be left unattended within the boundaries of
a train, bus or coach station or your workplace for more than 24 hours. Due to the risks of
commuting, we charge a lower premium for bikes that aren’t used for this purpose.

In/on a vehicle

There are some security requirements that you will need to meet that are specific to your bicycle
being in or on a vehicle. If you want to keep your bike secured in a vehicle, at any time of the
day, not just overnight, you need to ensure that all doors, windows and openings are properly shut
and locked securely. All security devices, such as CCTV cameras and alarms must be functioning
correctly and without damage.

Your cycle will also need to be secured in a part of your vehicle where it is not in clear view,
or it will need to be secured using the frame and wheels using a lock that has been approved for
the style and value of the bicycle.

If your bicycle is to be left unattended overnight (specifically between nine in the evening and
six in the morning), it must be covered so that it is not visible to anyone from outside the
vehicle. During these hours, if your bicycle is being kept on the outside of your vehicle (such as
on a bike rack), you will need to remove it and place it inside your vehicle or in another secure
location.

Travelling

Theft of your bike from your car when travelling can have an impact on making a claim. Your
vehicle will need to be fully insured and have current road tax and a valid MOT certificate. The
vehicle must have either a manufacturer-installed alarm or a Thatcham-approved alarm
professionally installed. Most importantly, your windows and doors must be secure, with locks that
function and are not easily tampered with.

When you are staying at a short-term holiday let, you will need to secure the bike properly at
all times when left unattended. ALA’s Worldwide cover extends coverage overseas for 31 consecutive
days or 90 days over the whole period of cover. Read the difference
between travel insurance and cycle insurance.

If you ensure that your bicycle is safe within these boundaries while at home and during travel,
then you should not have any issues making a claim if your bicycle is stolen or suffers from
accidental damage. While your cycle insurance company will appreciate that unfortunate incidents
can happen, it is important that you have taken every reasonable step to prevent this in order for
your claim to be valid.

As you can see, there are a few requirements and factors that you should bear in mind before you
purchase a cycling insurance policy. However, this cover can be a valuable resource, protecting
one of your most precious and useful assets. If you want to find the right cycle insurance policy
for you, get in touch with ALA to see how we could help.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is cycle insurance a legal requirement

No, cyclists aren’t required by law to have cycle insurance. However, there are many reasons you
may want to have it. Home
insurance policies only cover your bike when it is at home, and often impose limits on
individual items. If you use your bike frequently, for commuting, leisure, touring, long bike
rides or racing, you are more at risk.

2. How does cycle insurance work

When you buy specialist cycle insurance, it covers the cost of repairs or replacement of your
bike up to the insured amount. You can also select the amount you would like to insure for
add-ons, including public liability insurance, personal injury cover, cycle hire replacement,
cycle rescue and accessory cover. You can pay over 12 monthly instalments to spread the cost, or
in one upfront payment. Read the full guide explaining how
cycle insurance works here.

3. Can I get cycle insurance if I just ride casually?

Yes, cycle insurance can be beneficial for those who just cycle for leisure purposes. There are
always risks, especially when you share the road with motorised vehicles, take part in extreme
sports, or travel long distances on your bike. Also, if you have a high-value bike or electric
bike, you may want to cover its value so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for a new bike if the
unexpected happens.