Having your bike stolen, written off or damaged can be both heartbreaking and expensive. So whether it’s a hybrid that takes you to work and back or a racer that only comes out at weekends, it pays to insure it.
But finding the right insurance for your bike can be time-consuming, as there are many specialist insurers to whom you can turn and it’s not always easy to compare between them.
At Cyclist, we’re here to help, the insurance comparison tool allows you to quickly choose between over 30 offers from a range of specialist UK bicycle insurers and you could pay less than £26 for bikes valued up to £1,500*.
Cyclist has partnered with Quotezone, to offer a simple thee step process that allows you to add details of multiple bikes, specify the types of use you want to cover and when you want cover to start and finally some personal contact details.
And that’s it. The comparison tool will generate your quotes from a range of specialist cycle insurance providers and email them to you, so you have them for future reference. They may also email you to remind you of an upcoming renewal date.
To find the best bike insurance quote for you, head to the handy bike insurance comparison tool provided by Quotezone.
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What should I know when insuring my bike?
There are good reasons for taking out a specialist bike insurance product, rather than relying on home insurance or other insurance products that you might hold. We’ll run through these below and answer the important questions that many riders have about cycle-specific insurance.
Is bike insurance worth the cost?
If you own a bike, you’re probably going to need to insure it separately from your general household insurance, as discussed below. If your bike were lost or irreparably damaged, could you afford to replace it yourself?
Bicycles are at high risk of theft, because of their ease of removal and resale, either complete or as parts. Some thieves specialise in bike theft, while there has been a worrying increase in the number of cyclists being robbed of their bikes while out riding in some locations. The rate of retrieval of stolen bikes is very low.
The cost of new bikes has increased greatly over the last few years, so a bike that may have cost you a few hundred pounds five years ago may now cost over £1,000 to replace. The cost of replacing one of the best road bikes has risen even more.
It’s not just the bike itself that cycle insurance will cover, specialist bike insurance will cover a wide range of cycle-related equipment and liability that other insurance that you may own in general will not.
What does cycle insurance generally cover?
There are a wide range of different items that cycle insurance may cover. Some of them are fundamental to every policy, while others, such as European or worldwide cover are optional add-ons that some policies may offer.
The basic items that you can expect to be covered by any policy include theft, loss and accidental damage. You can also expect personal accident cover and third party liability insurance.
Many insurers will offer a basic level of cover alongside a premium tier, which includes additional benefits, while others take a pick-and-mix approach to additional coverage items.
Beyond that, a policy may, as mentioned, cover travel abroad. Other options that may be covered by the policy or may be available as additional cost items include competitive use, helmets, cycle computers and other accessories, race fee reimbursem*nt, replacement bike hire, medical expenses and even the cost of a taxi home if your bike suffers a mechanical while out riding.
Specialist bike insurance vs home insurance?
Many household insurance policies will cover bikes in the home, although some will require you to add them as additional high-value items before they’re covered. However, it’s less common they’ll cover bikes outside of your home.
While some comprehensive home insurance policies will cover bikes outside the home, they tend to cover limited value bikes and often come with significant strings attached. This is one reason why specialist cycle insurance has become increasingly popular.
Benefits include dealing with a claims team that understands the specific needs of the average bicycle nerd, plus the availability of a range of options not found on standard policies.
Insuring against bike theft
Some criminal making off with your beloved bike is a thought that haunts most cyclists. But in terms of cover, there’s a big difference between whether your bike goes missing from your home, shed, holiday rental or off the street.
Check the details of your cover to be sure where you stand. Also, be aware many policies consider leaving a bike for more than a set time, often as little as 12 hours, as abandonment and won’t then cover against its theft.
Finally, don’t forget that your bike isn’t the only thing that can get stolen – accessories like GPS computers, lights and child seats can all be added to many policies.
Which bike lock do I need?
Many policies will have a maximum value they’ll cover if the bike is left locked outside. They’ll also often specify the type of lock needed to cover a bicycle of a particular value. To do this most refer to the Sold Secure level, a four-tier security grading system administered by the Master Locksmiths Association, whose independent tests determine how secure each lock is.
Coming in bronze, silver, gold and the highest diamond level, many specialist cycle-insurers will only insure bikes protected with the most secure locks. Check our guide to the best bike locks for some suggestions.
Insuring against damage
Theft isn’t the only thing to insure against. Damage resulting from a crash or other accident is also worth considering. Again, beware of the context in which the damage might happen.
Some policies will cover you if you hit a pothole while out on your commute but won’t pay out if you suffer as the result of a mass pile-up during a competitive event. Some policies may insure you against malicious damage as well.
Third-party liability insurance for cyclists
If you’re judged to be at fault after a collision you could find yourself being sued in civil court. The bar for this can often seem incredibly low, like in the case of Robert Hazeldean, who was forced to pay over £60,000 after a woman stepped in front of him while looking at her phone.
Third-party liability insurance covers you if a member of the public makes a compensation claim against you because they believe you’re responsible for them having been injured or damaging their property.
Relatively cheap to take out by itself, it’s also included with all British Cycling memberships. Be aware that some policies may not cover you when riding in the USA or some other countries. Check the small print if you’re planning to ride overseas.
Does bike insurance cover races?
Most insurance doesn’t cover use of your bike in competition in its standard offering, but the majority will allow you to opt into competitive use as an extra cost option.
In general, sportives are not considered as competitive events, but if you intend to enter a gran fondo it’s worth checking with your insurer, as the pointy end of these events will include prizes.
Cycling travel and event insurance
Holidays or going abroad can be another area worth considering when insuring your bike. If you intend to hop on a rental bike and potter around, you’ll probably be covered by standard health insurance. Anything more extreme, and you’ll need to up your level of cover.
Many insurers will grade your activities relative to their assumed risk level. This runs the gamut from cycle-touring up to downhill mountain bike racing.
Be sure where you stand, and don’t undersell your activity level. You might think of a sportive as a non-competitive event, but be sure your insurer does too. Off-road riding or riding above a certain altitude can also affect whether your cover is valid.
Again, unless you have very comprehensive cover, your bikes, kit and accessories may need further insuring, especially as damage in transit can be an issue when taking your bike abroad. Racing is also frequently not covered as standard by many health or damage insurance policies.
To find the best bike insurance quote for you, head to our handy bike insurance comparison tool provided by Quotezone
A guide to the specialist cycle insurers
The insurance comparison tool provides you with comparison quotes from all the cycle insurance specialists. Use the insurance comparison tool, provided by Quotezone, to find the best cycle insurance for your needs. All details provided as a guide only and responsibility for the policy chosen and purchased stays with the buyer.
Always check the details, exclusions and terms and conditions of every policy before purchasing.
ALA Insurance
ALA Insurance’s offering covers basic theft and/or damage to your bike worldwide, with accessories needing to be added separately. Options like personal accident cover, legal expenses cover or cycle rescue services can then be added on top.
Leaving its standard cover a fair bit cheaper than many competitors, 10,000 plus positive TrustPilot reviews of the wider company suggest there’s no reason to expect this will come at the cost of them attempting to wriggle out of any claims.
Also leaving you free to add extras as you need them, the result is lean cover as standard or the option to build a bespoke package to cover your other needs.
Although generally similar in their customisable features, ALA market-specific products cover commuters, electric bike users, mountain bikers, roadies and touring cyclists. The firm even offers specific BMX insurance.
Compare ALA Insurance now at Quotezone
Assetsure
As well as the basics, Assetsure covers loss or damage to a bike box up to £500, replacement cycle hire and recovery of your excess if an accident is not your fault and you can provide full details of the other party. If you do need to claim, Assetsure says that it won’t up your premium next year as a result.
Basic cover includes use for commuting and sportives and you can add a competitive use extension if needed.
If you’ve taken n+1 to extremes, Assetsure will cover up to ten bikes on a single policy and there’s the option to add additional family members. It will cover bicycles up to £12,500 in value. There’s a separate e-bike insurance policy available and Assetsure provides new for old cover based on your stated replacement cost for your bike.
Compare Assetsure now at Quotezone
Bikmo
Another company offering highly tailored insurance for cyclists, Bikmo’s basic ‘go’ cover insures against theft and accidents during normal use, while its Race level cover is so thorough as to give you up to £1,000 if you miss a key competition due to an injury or crash.
Luckily, even those with the most basic level of protection will benefit from £150 returning home cover, allowing them to hop into a taxi if a mechanical or accident cuts short their ride.
Similarly, even the cheaper policies have overseas protection and will cover you during sportive events. Unlike many insurers, Bikmo also has specialist products for e-bike users, including cover for more adventurous activities like electric mountain biking expeditions.
Ultimately underwritten by Hiscox, there’s 0% on monthly payments, meaning you won’t pay interest if you choose not to pay in one lump sum. There’s a zero excess too.
Compare Bikmo now at Quotezone
Cover Cloud
Cover Cloud’s standard insurance covers damage and theft to your bike. To that, you can add a wide range of supplements, covering items such as personal accident, third party liability and worldwide usage. The menu of coverage levels starts with Essential, while Prime and Ultra add extra items of coverage. You can choose the excess that you’re willing to pay, starting at £50.
Any bike under three years old will be covered new for old and you can add accessories cover with tiers up to £300, £600 or £900. There are also tiered options for replacement bike hire.
Compare Cover Cloud now at Quotezone
Cycleplan
Cycleplan’s insurance offers new for old replacement on bikes up to three years old, as well as personal accident and public liability insurance. You can cover all bike types and even electric scooters, with a total value of up to £30,000 for bikes and £1,000 for accessories and it also offers family insurance.
You can opt to pay a supplement for competitive use and for European or worldwide use for up to 45 days per trip. There’s a standard excess of £50 or 10% of the claim, although you can vary this if you want.
Compare Cycleplan now at Quotezone
Eversure
Eversure will insure bikes with up to £15,000 value, as well as electric bikes. Its basic cover is for leisure use, but you can add commuting or competitive use as extras. Competitive use policies include coverage while your bike is in a triathlon transition area and Eversure will cover entry fees of up to £500 if you’re unable to participate in an event or events.
You can insure multiple bikes on one policy and there’s £100 of accessory and clothing cover as standard, which can be added to if needed. Family cover is included in the policy, as is cycle breakdown cover. You can add worldwide travel cover as an extra.
The excess varies between £25 and £100, depending on the value of your bike.
Compare Eversure now at Quotezone
Laka
An insurance company that only makes money when it settles claims, Laka’s community-based model sees the cost of insuring its members’ kit divided between each policyholder. Rather than a fixed premium, riders agree to a maximum monthly amount capped around the market rate for equivalent insurance.
At the end of each month, all the claims are added up and users get charged their share relative to the value of what they’ve insured.
Making a profit by taking 20% of all settled claims, rather than leaving you haggling with a loss-adjuster, this incentivises Laka to pay out.
Besides this innovative business-model, key benefits and optional extras include monthly rather than annual policies, zero excess on claims, 60 days of overseas cover, competitive event cover and money to get you home if you break down in the UK. Laka also offers separate health/accident insurance.
Compare Laka now at Quotezone
Nextgen Insurance
NextGen insurance offers a no claims discount on its policies, so you’ll pay less next year, and you’;; get a discount to insure multiple bikes on the same policy. It offers free legal cover and you can opt in to competition coverage and coverage for your cycling gear.
Compare Nextgen Insurance now at Quotezone
Pedal Cover
Pedalcover is unique in offering combined home and bicycle insurance dedicated to cyclists. Ideal for those who have totalled up the most valuable assets in their home and found a pile of bikes at the top of the list.
At the same time, Pedal Cover also offers separate cycling travel insurance and stand-alone bike cover. Including all of your bicycles automatically up to £100,000 total contents limit at home, its policies can also offer up to £15,000 worth of bike cover away from your residence.
Added to this are features like race cancellation cover, transition area cover for triathletes, along with up to £200 worth of taxi money if your bike gives up the ghost while on the road.
Compare Pedal Cover now at Quotezone
PedalSure
PedalSure offers a single, simple and comprehensive policy. This covers theft at home and out and about, along with damage and vandalism suffered. It also includes accessories and personal possessions on the bike. Also featured are a moderate personal injury allowance and cover for loss of earnings, both of which should cover most non-life-changing scenarios.
Racers and sportive riders will be covered during their events. Public liability is included. Overseas adventures and transit are covered for up to 60 days. Bikes up to £1,000 require a Sold Secure silver lock, while bikes above this require a gold standard.
Currently, customers can get a discount on a range of bike locks from Hiplok when they take out or renew a policy.
Compare PedalSure now at Quotezone
Protect My Bike
Protect My Bike claims to offer lower premiums than other insurers, but still offer comprehensive coverage and a full range of add-ons.
You can insure up to five bikes on one policy with a combined value of up to £30,000, with a discount for the additional bikes. Refer a friend and you’ll get £10 credit on your next year’s premium.
The excess for bike cover is £50 or 5% of the claim, with a maximum of £500, although the excess for claims for some other coverage, such as replacement bike hire, is zero. Policies are automatically set up to autorenew, although you can opt out if you prefer.
Compare Protect My Bike now at Quotezone
Sundays Insurance
Sundays Insurance claims to provide comprehensive coverage for the enthusiast at prices that are lower than its competitors. There are a range of additional cost options available, including accessory coverage up to £5,000, public liability insurance, worldwide cover and cover for racing. It even covers your bike if it’s on your car’s roof rack and you damage it driving into a parking garage.
Sundays also provides a range of free insurance perks to Strava Premium subscribers in the UK and US, including reimbursem*nt of get me home costs, which is also included in its paid-for cover, and coverage for devices. The excess payable can be varied between £50 and £200.
Compare Sundays Insurance now at Quotezone
Velosure
Velosure offers cycle insurance and separate travel insurance if you intend to take your bike abroad with you. Its cycle insurance product is available at two tiers: Core and Performance. Core covers the basics of theft, damage and accessory cover up to £1,000, as well as physio and replacement bike hire. Travel insurance options include single trip and annual policies.
Opt for Performance cover and you add European and worldwide cover, rescue, personal accident and road rage cover. There are multiple bike cover options as well as single bike and Velosure will also cover electric bikes.
Compare Velosure now at Quotezone
Yellow Jersey
With a reassuringly large bank of positive customer reviews, Yellow Jersey offers both conventional cycle insurance and single-trip adventure cover. Both styles of insurance can be extensively tailored to meet your exact requirements.
You are allowed to insure your bike for as little as five days and, while the process is a little more involved than with some firms, the upshot is that you won’t be paying for anything you don’t need.
So if you know you’re sticking to home roads for the year, you won’t have to pay for overseas cover. Ditto – if you don’t own a car, you can avoid paying the part of the premium that covers theft from a vehicle.
However, with even the firm’s essential-level cover still including provision for emergency physio and dental services, even its basic policies aren’t overly spartan. Also offers comprehensive cover for racers.
Compare Yellow Jersey now at Quotezone
Use our bike insurance comparison tool, provided by Quotezone, to find the best cycle insurance for your needs. All details provided as a guide only and responsibility for the policy chosen and purchased stays with the buyer.
You could pay less than £27 for bicycles valued up to £1500*
*51% of customers with a bicycle valued up to £1500 who obtained a quote for Bicycle Insurance through this service provided by Seopa Ltd during February 2024 were quoted less than £26.46. Using the same calculation for bicycles valued between £1500 and £3000 gave a figure of £56.92 and for bicycles valued over £3000 gave a figure of £108.93. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circ*mstances.
Information is intended for editorial purposes only and not intended as a recommendation or financial advice.1
- Diamond Publishing Ltd, trading as Cyclist, is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Seopa Ltd (FRN: 313860).” ↩︎
