Best Bicycle Insurance in the UK

What is bicycle insurance?

Whether you’re a commuter, off-roader, racer or electric biker, you may have considered bicycle insurance to protect your two-wheeler. This specialist kind of insurance is designed to cover the cost of your bicycle should it be lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair, and may include cycling accessories, too.

Much like other forms of insurance, you pay a monthly or annual premium and will be financially covered against any bike-related mishaps. You’ll be able to select a level of cover that suits your bike’s value and that of any accessories, and can often tailor what’s included according to your circumstances.

Do you need bicycle insurance?

Bicycle insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but for keen cyclists it’s worth considering as a way to protect your investment. High-spec racing bikes can easily cost thousands of pounds to replace, but even a casual cyclist with a bike on the cheaper end of the scale may benefit from this kind of cover, particularly those who couldn’t afford to buy a new bike outright if they needed to.

Insurance for bicycles can also offer liability cover, which can be invaluable if you’re involved in an accident that results in damage to a third party’s property and you were found to be negligent or reckless. Costs could quickly escalate in this scenario, and if you didn’t have adequate insurance you could be required to cover the cost yourself.

A lot of it will come down to price – both the price of the bike, and of the insurance policy and any excess – so it’s important to compare bike insurance to see if it’s worthwhile. Ultimately, even though you may not technically need this kind of policy, it can make a lot of sense to invest.

What’s included under bike insurance?

Typically, standard bicycle insurance in the UK will cover the bike against loss, theft and accidental or malicious damage. You may be able to choose “new for old” cover if you bought your bike from new – which is where you’ll be able to replace a lost, stolen or damaged bike with a new equivalent – or “market value” cover for second hand bikes, which will cover the cost based on current market value.

From there, you can find more comprehensive policies or may be able to add additional levels of cover as optional extras, such as:

• Personal accident cover.
• Third-party liability cover. If you damage property or accidentally injure someone while riding, this will cover the cost of claims made against you.
• Legal expenses cover. This covers the cost of any legal expenses that might arise as a result of those claims.
• Accessories (e.g. helmets, GPS, lights, clothing). This can insure specified accessories against loss or theft.
• Competitive use. This can cover things like lost race fees, as well as any accidents or damage that’s caused while taking part in events.
• European and worldwide cover. There may be limits on how long trips can be, so always check the small print.
• Roadside assistance and recovery. Essentially bicycle breakdown cover.
• Loss of earnings. If you’re unable to work as a result of a cycle-related injury, you may be able to insure against lost earnings.
• Replacement bike hire.
• Family and/or multi-bike cover. You may be able to secure a discount for insuring more than one bike under the same policy.

Cover will always differ between providers and individual policies, which is why it’s so important to compare bike insurance thoroughly. Bear in mind that the best bike insurance policy isn’t necessarily the most expensive, but the one that offers the level of cover you need.

What isn’t typically covered

There are a few things that won’t normally be covered by bicycle insurance in the UK, including:

• General wear and tear
• Use of your bike for business purposes (such as deliveries)
• Accidents that happen while under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances
• Deliberate damage you caused yourself or by someone known to you
• Damage that occurs during a race or competition (unless you have specialist cover)
• Loss as a result of poor security

There may be other exclusions as well, so always make sure to read the small print before you decide on your policy.

How to protect your bicycle

As mentioned, you won’t be covered by an insurance policy if you haven’t taken all reasonable precautions to keep your bike safe. You’ll need a suitable lock and will be expected to keep your bike in a secure location, preferably indoors, in a shed or garage, or behind a locked gate or fence. If you have no choice but to leave it somewhere public, you’ll be expected to lock it somewhere appropriate and even then may only have cover against theft or damage for up to 24 hours; if it’s there for longer you may not be covered.

How much does bicycle insurance cost?

This will depend on a number of different factors, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of bicycle insurance can depend on:

• The type of bike you own
• How much it’s worth
• Whether you bought it new or second-hand
• Where you store your bike when not in use
• Where you live
• Whether you’ve made any modifications to the bike
• The type of cover and any optional extras
• If you need specialist cover for competitions or business use

It’s important to compare bicycle insurance quotes to make sure you’re getting the cover you need at a price you can afford, but make sure to not under-insure. Even the most comprehensive insurance is likely to be more affordable than buying a new bike outright. Use our chart above to get started.

Types of bikes covered with bicycle insurance

Most types of bike will be covered by bicycle insurance, including standard road and mountain bikes, folding bikes and BMX bikes. You’ll also be able to find cover for electric bikes and hybrid options, and if you’re using your bike for commuting to and from work.

If you’ve got a custom-made or antique bike, it may be more difficult to source suitable cover. Though that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and could simply mean you need to find more specialist options. Start your search by using our chart to compare bike insurance providers, and always check the policy wording to ensure you’re fully covered.