Making a cycle insurance claim: a complete guide of things to consider

With the number of bicycle accidents in the UK on the rise, it has never been more important to consider cycle insurance. If your bike is of high value, or you cycle frequently, cycle insurance can help protect you and your investment if your bike is damaged or stolen. When making a claim, it is important to be aware of what happens if you are successful, or if you find that your claim has been rejected.

In this guide, we will highlight all of the necessary steps to take when making a successful claim, and how you can avoid your claim from becoming void. We will also explain what happens if you are at fault for your bicycle being damaged or stolen, and how ALA can assist you every step of the way.

What happens if my cycle insurance claim is successful?

First of all, in order for a claim to be successful, there are certain documents you will need to provide and steps you can take. For instance, you should:

• Use an approved lock: here at ALA, we require the use of a Sold Secure approved lock, as claims will be rejected if an appropriate lock was not used.
• Provide a crime reference number: if your bike was stolen or damaged maliciously, you should report the incident to the police and obtain a crime reference number within 48 hours, which should then be given to your claim’s handler
• Never leave your bike unattended in a public place for more than 24 hours: if you left your bicycle for more than 24 hours in a bus or train station, for example, you will not be covered by our policies at ALA

It is also worth noting that, if your bike experiences wear and tear or damage to its tyres, ALA will not cover you. Your bike must have been stolen or damaged beyond repair.

Once your claim has been approved and you have paid your excess, you should expect to receive payment within 48 hours. If you chose any extras to run concurrently with your cycle insurance policy, such as cycle hire cover, you may need to provide extra documentation.

If your bike is a total loss, ALA will provide you with a cash settlement that will replace your bike on a new-for-old basis, unless it is older than three years. If it is older, you will receive a like-for-like settlement.

What happens if my cycle insurance claim is rejected?

In some cases, cycle insurance claims are not always accepted. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the elements that can make a claim void so you can avoid such a scenario.

Common reasons for claims being rejected include:

• Not locking your bike correctly with an approved lock: as mentioned previously, your bike needs to be locked with a Sold Secure approved lock on ALA policies. If you fail to lock your bike correctly or to an immovable object, your claim will be rejected
• No signs of forced entry into an insured location: if you left your bike in an insured location, such as your own home, and there were no signs of forced entry (for instance, if you left your home unlocked), your claim will not be processed
• No proof of purchase: you must be able to provide a receipt or invoice for the bike you are looking to claim on, otherwise your claim will be void

In order to ensure that your claim is successful, you must always ensure that your bike is secured to an immovable object with an approved locked, and you should aim to never leave your bike unattended in a public place overnight. You should also make yourself aware of what isn’t covered on your policy, such as wear and tear, manufacturing faults covered by warranty, and electrical faults.

If you feel that your claim should not have been rejected, you can raise a complaint by emailing the Customer Services Director at cyclecomplaints@davies-group.com or calling 03450744810.

To find out more about claims rejections, you can read our full guide here.

Cycle insurance and liability: what if I am at fault?

Many cyclists wonder whether they will still be able to claim on their insurance if they were at fault. No matter whether your bike was damaged or stolen in your insured property or away, you will still be able to claim, as long as all policy terms and conditions have been followed. However, if your carelessness caused the bike to be damaged beyond repair or stolen, you may not be able to make a claim.

As previously mentioned, certain steps must be taken to ensure that your bike is completely safe and in a secure location. If you fail to secure your bike properly and follow your policy requirements, you won’t be able to make a claim. For instance, if your bike is stored in your secure location, any security devices such as CCTV cameras must be turned on.

Although cycle insurance will cover you and your bicycle, if you damage someone else’s property or injure another person, you won’t be covered unless you choose public liability cover. This additional policy will help cover the cost of the damage, as well as any legal cover. However, if you damage your own property, you will not be covered.

To find out more about cycle insurance and faults, you can read our complete guide here.