Opening Hours

Should I buy specialist bike insurance or home contents insurance with bicycle cover ALA vs Admiral

7 December 2023

Written by Katie Rollin

|  4 Minutes

Today, there are so many insurance options to protect your most valuable assets if the worst happens. Contents insurance is a useful catch-all insurance to cover your home possessions. Some providers can even extend coverage outside of the home for items such as mobile phones, laptops, watches and bicycles as that’s often when they’re most at risk of damage or theft.

However, for cyclists, contents or home insurance cannot always offer the cover you need for what is likely one of your prized possessions. Specialist bicycle insurance, on the other hand, provides cover to the bicycle and the cyclist. This article compares cycle and contents insurance and discusses when to choose specialist bicycle insurance for your bike. We compare ALA Cycle Insurance and Admiral bike cover and highlight the benefits of the best-rated bicycle insurance provider.

Does contents insurance cover bicycles?

Most contents or home insurance providers offer coverage for bikes between £350 and £500. However, this may not be enough to cover an expensive bike and may not cover you while you’re cycling. In that case, you may need to add this to your home insurance policy or take out specialist bike insurance.

A bicycle is being stored inside while the residents unpack their belongings into their new home.

Is it better to use specialist bicycle insurance or home insurance?

It is usually cheaper to opt for bicycle cover on contents insurance, and reducing the number of separate insurance policies you take out can be convenient. However, there are limitations to this kind of pedal cover. For example, you may not be able to claim the following on your contents or home insurance policy:

  • Accidents occurring while cycling
  • Accidental damage cover
  • Repairable bike damage
  • Coverage away from home, unless specified
  • Coverage of expensive bikes, unless specified
  • Coverage of bike accessories, unless specified

If you want more comprehensive coverage for your precious bike, specialist bicycle insurance is your best bet. You can build tailored insurance plans that suit your cycling needs. Moreover, specialist providers cover for both the bicycle and the cyclist to give you full peace of mind while cycling.

When should you choose specialist Cycle Insurance?

If you have an expensive bike and you ride it frequently, you should choose an insurance provider that makes your cycling needs a main priority rather than an add-on cover option. Buying an appropriate level of cover for your valuables will be more useful in the long run. There are times to take risks, but choosing insurance for your expensive possessions is not one of them.

We designed specialist bike insurance for cyclists because we understand that you need a flexible, affordable and trustworthy insurance policy. Whether you use your bike for road cycling, commuting, BMX, or something else, you’ll find the cover you need using a specialist provider – and it may be more affordable than you think. Benefit from peace of mind that a specialist insurer has thought of every eventuality a cyclist may face. Meanwhile, cyclists might encounter more policy exclusions or even a denied claim by using their home insurance for a bicycle.

Suppose you already have a contents or home insurance policy that doesn’t comprehensively cover your bike, or you aren’t planning on taking out contents or home insurance soon. In that case, specialist bicycle insurance is a no-brainer.

Comparing Admiral and ALA for bicycle insurance

Admiral contents insurance is a popular option for cyclists because they have bicycle cover available. On the other hand, ALA is rated #1 on Trustpilot for best Cycle Insurance Company.

Admiral insurance logo in blue and magenta
ALA logo in Oxford blue and white

An Admiral home insurance quote varies from property to property; where you live determines the risk to your bike. Home contents insurance covers cycles up to £350, but the cost of adding expensive bike cover varies from £7-25 per year for a £1000 bike. Admiral covers bike theft and irreparable damage in and away from the house (if selected). They also cover up to 10% of the bike’s value in accessories (if attached to the bike at the time of the incident).

ALA, on the other hand, covers malicious or accidental damage and theft as standard; we also protect you overseas for up to 30 days per trip (Worldwide cover) at no extra cost. A standard policy for a £1000 bike costs from £37.42 per year; with up to £300 accessory cover, you’re looking at a total price of £42.36 per year. For just a little more money, you can get a lot more cover.

Don’t take the risk with limited coverage – build your bicycle insurance quote today!

Pros and cons of contents insurance vs Cycle Insurance

Comparing Admiral cycle cover on contents insurance and ALA Specialist Cycle Insurance. ALA offers the most comprehensive and flexible coverage, while Admiral offers a cost-effective insurance solution.

With ALA, you can add the coverage you need, including Accessory cover (up to £900), Cycle replacement hire (up to £1000), Public liability insurance (up to £2m), Legal expenses (up to £25,000) and Personal accident compensation (up to £25,000). You can’t beat affordable, comprehensive coverage.

Trust the best rated Cycle Insurance company

ALA is rated number one on Trustpilot for a reason. We have market-leading payout rates, meaning the cover you buy is the cover you get. Moreover, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to answer your cycle queries.

We’re happy to offer flexible and affordable coverage. You can choose your coverage options and insurance limits. Insurance excess is another flexible variable, with options ranging from £50-£250 to suit your budget.

Get a quote here

Get a quote here

What to read next

Everything you need to know about Cycle Insurance

Comparing Cycle insurance and home insurance

Cycle Insurance explained: calculations

An insider’s guide: why you should consider cycle insurance

Is Cycle Insurance worth it?