Insuring your bike
Author
Discussion

BMWBen

Original Poster:

4,906 posts

230 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
What do you owners of expensive bikes do about insurance? I've recently applied the (n + 1) formula to my collection and replaced my previous "special" bike with one that is worth significantly more.

My home insurance covers individual bikes up to a certain value, but this new one is over that value. I'm looking at getting dedicated cycle cover, but it's coming out in the ball park of car insurance costs.

I can put the amount of value over the home insurance limit "at risk" I guess, but it's not going to cover me if some fool runs me over, destroys the bike and drives off.

So what do people with flash bikes do? Pony up the cash or just risk it?

stongle

5,910 posts

191 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
Can't see an option other than to "pony up" as it were. There are so many idiots on the road it's not just drivers but other cyclists you need to be aware of.

I've had to come to terms with the fact it's going to be signifciantly more than my car insurance, and will probably be speaking to a broker in the coming weeks as the delivery date of new bike approaches. First Cycle seem to come up cheapest; but can't (online) cover full value of bike.

I'd be interested if people know of any good brokers / companys they use. I was also wondering on the replacement values; whether to just insure the frame value.

BMWBen

Original Poster:

4,906 posts

230 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
FYI www.velosure.co.uk seem to be the cheapest I've found so far - and they include race cover as standard it seems.

nickd01

639 posts

244 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
My bikes are on our house policy through Hiscox.

I can't remember the details, but seem to remember it's not limited in any way as long as you take sensible precautions to secure the bikes etc.

They're more expensive than other insurers, but seem to have a lot less exclusions and so on - my theory being if we do have to claim then I stand a better chance of being paid out.

mudshark

94 posts

167 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
I have just claimed on my Barclays insurance for a crash I had whilst on a club run. All went very smoothly so recommended but they only do up to £2.5k IIRC. I used to be with M&S a few years ago who did up to £4k but not sure about now.

Simond S

4,519 posts

306 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all

Just had a quote from velosure for my Boardman. Valued at £5k it came in at £482 pa.

Almost identical to the cost of insuring my £60k X6!

stongle

5,910 posts

191 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
PedalPower, was just under £400 for £5k value. Anything above that seems to need ringing around, and waiting for underwriters to get back. Just wondering whether to plonk for the 5K cover on the frame and salvage the rest of the bits if had a serious off.

BMWBen

Original Poster:

4,906 posts

230 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
Simond S said:
Just had a quote from velosure for my Boardman. Valued at £5k it came in at £482 pa.

Almost identical to the cost of insuring my £60k X6!
Funny, I'm trying to insure a boardman too! Which did you go for?

Birdthom

790 posts

254 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
Amazing, cost of insuring my Trek 3.1 with velosure came out not far off the cost of insuring my (admittedly rather old) BMW 5 series. I know which can do more damage...

The price they gave equates to risking it and having to replace the bike through damage or theft once every ten years. My bike isn't that exotic, so I'll probably just continue to risk it TBH.

BPC7

391 posts

266 months

Monday 26th November 2012
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I insured mine through British Cycling, was cheaper than most places I checked and all the cover seems to be in order.

barker22

1,037 posts

196 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
You tried evans cycle insurance.?

Rouleur

7,416 posts

218 months

Monday 26th November 2012
quotequote all
Sainbury's add bugger all to my house cover to include £4.5k of bikes smile

insurance_jon

4,096 posts

275 months

Monday 26th November 2012
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I've been doing a lot of research into home insurance in relation to bikes, and some of the cover is scary. i.e they may be covered for damage, but not whilst in use.

AyBee

11,321 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th November 2012
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How much do they try and wriggle out of paying out? My nicest bike is "only" worth £2.5k, so spending £500p.a. to insure it isn't worth it IMHO. I don't leave it out of site so it's either at home, or it has me on it.