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 valuable
possessions 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 financial protection and peace
of mind should the unexpected 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 receive and will be required to provide when making a bike insurance claim.
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 if your circumstances change, 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:
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 concise
list of what your insurance does and doesn’t cover and the policy requirements 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.
If your bike and/or accessories have been stolen or damaged through vandalism and you wish to
claim them 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 24 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, the required documents include evidence of ownership and identity
proof.
Proof of ownership could be the original retailer invoice or receipt, a gift receipt, or
evidence of an insurance replacement. Original images must have been uploaded to the ALA
portal within 14 days after the policy start date.
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.
You should also be able to provide a receipt for a Sold Secure bike lock with an appropriate
level of security for your bike’s value.
Yes, ALA has an optional cover for those who want to take their bike on an adventure abroad .
This is known as worldwide cover, and it covers up to 310 consecutive days during the period of
cover and up to 90 days total per year. Read about the
difference between cycle and travel insurance here.
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 or cycle rack 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 bike lock. The vehicle in
question must also have valid motor and MOT insurance, current road tax, an alarm installed by the
manufacturer (or a Thatcham-approved alarm that was installed professionally) and windows that are
able to be locked and secured.
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.
Car Excess Insurance
Short Term Motor Insurance
Scratch and Dent Insurance
Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance
Cycle Insurance
