Frequently Asked Questions
A compiled and categorised list of Cover4Cycles most frequently asked questions
Buying
Claims
Coverage
Security
If you would like to amend your policy, there is an administration fee of £11, if you want to cancel the policy, there is a cancellation fee of £10. Please refer to the policy wording or IPID for full details of the level of refunds of the policy premium and when this applies.
Yes, age limits do apply depending on the type of cover you want to purchase.
To purchase a policy, you must be between age 18 and 84 years old inclusive.
To add Public Liability cover, you must be between age between 18 to 84 years old.
To add Personal Accident cover, you must be between age 18 and 69 years old.
There are two ways you can pay for your bicycle insurance:
• Pay in Full (available for all policies)
You can use any UK debit or credit card, including American Express, to pay the full annual premium upfront.
• Monthly Instalments (available for some policies*)
Alternatively, you can spread the cost by opting for monthly payments through our finance partner, Premium Credit.
You’ll pay a deposit to Cover4Cycles and the remaining balance will be collected monthly by Premium Credit with the first instalment taken one month after your policy start date.
You’ll receive a welcome pack with your repayment schedule and Credit Agreement. Please read and sign it promptly. If you do not sign and return the credit agreement you will be charged £25.
*if monthly payments are available, you’ll see the option once you reach the payment screen.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer insurance to non-UK residents. This includes residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
To qualify as a valid resident for our cycle insurance, you must:
• Have spent at least 6 of the last 12 months in the UK, and
• Intend to remain in the UK for the next 6 months.
If you are staying in the UK on a visa, you can be covered as long as your policy ends before your visa expires.
Your policy includes cover for your approved lock. Your approved lock does not need to be listed as an accessory, but you should retain evidence of ownership.
Please note, your lock must be an approved lock from the appropriate SoldSecure rating. Find out more about approved locks here.
You can find the full policy wording via the navigation bar under ‘Docs’. We recommend you read it before purchasing your Cover4Cycles policy to understand the cover and how it works.
If you are already a policyholder, the policy wording was emailed to the email address you provided at time of purchase.
Yes, we offer public liability as an optional add-on to your bicycle insurance policy. You can choose from two levels of cover: £1 million or £2 million.
Public liability protects you against claims made by third parties for damage caused or injury caused by you whilst cycling. Only customers aged 16 to 84 inclusive will benefit from this if selected as an add-on.
This is common question and the answer depends on whether you’re comfortable with the cover and exclusions typically found in Home Contents insurance policies.
Home insurance usually covers your possessions against fire, theft, floods and accidental damage, crucially, within the home. You should be aware that your home insurance is unlikely to extend coverage to damage or theft that occurs outside your home.
Furthermore, home insurers often impose a value limit on bikes meaning if your bike is valued above their limit, you are likely responsible for covering the remaining cost in the event of a claim. You also won’t be protected in the event of personal injury or third-party damage.
Choosing tailorable bicycle insurance from Cover4Cycles means you’ll have cover you can trust to help you meet your cycling needs.
One or all of the following:
An original receipt, invoice or credit agreement showing the item, amount paid, date of purchase and, if
available, the retailer’s details.
A date and timestamped photograph of the item (showing serial numbers where possible) with the owner’s driving licence or passport included in the photograph.
A valuation or repair invoice, no more than 3 years old, from a reputable dealer/repairer showing the item
make and model.
Having this evidence to hand in the event of a claim will help the processing go smoothly.
At Cover4Cycles, we treat everyone as an individual and we consider the circumstances of their claim and, if any action is possible, what they have done to prevent it happening again.
If you have made a claim, our online underwriting may prevent you purchasing our products instantly and should this happen please get in touch with us to discuss your application. If you have made more than 3 claims in the last 3 years, we unfortunately will not be able to offer you insurance cover.
Any bicycle purchased brand new should be insured for the full replacement cost. You will then have what’s known as ‘New for Old’ cover.
Bicycles bought second hand should be insured for their replacement value at a reputable supplier. Your cover will then be referred to as ‘Market Value’ cover.
If you need to make a claim contact Cover4Cycles as soon as possible by visiting our online claim form.
To make things easier, you should have your Policy Number from your Certificate of Insurance (emailed to you upon purchasing a policy) ready.
You will also need to send us any legal documents that relate to the claim. This includes details of inquests or investigations.
We will also need proof of ownership for the insured bike as well as before and after photos to show damage.
When making a claim, you might need to pay an excess. This amount depends on the value of the bike. Please refer to the grid below:
| Policy Section | Sum Insured | Excess |
| Theft Accidental Damage Malicious Damage | £100 – £15,000 | Bike value: Up to £500: £25 Up to £999: £50 Up to £1,999: £75 Over £2,000 £100 |
| Optional Cover | ||
| Accessories | Up to £2,000 | £25 |
| Replacement Bike Hire | Up to £1,000 | None |
| Personal Accident | Up to £25,000 | None |
| Public Liability | Up to £2 million | £500 for third party property and £500 for third party injury |
Our standard cover includes up to £100 of accessories. If you’d like to extend this, you can opt for additional cover of up to £2,000.
The following items are classified as accessories:
Clothing: Cycling jerseys, vests, base layers, gilets, gloves, jackets, shorts, tights, trousers, socks, warmers, compression clothing, shoes, boots and overshoes.
Safety: Cycling helmets, hats or caps, glasses, goggles, body armour/guards, lights (including rechargeable battery packs).
Technology: Cameras intended for cycling (that attach to a bicycle or helmet using a mount designed for that purpose) and cycling computers (including sensors and monitors).
Other: Spare wheelsets, water bottles and cages, backpacks and hydration packs, cycling luggage (panniers, saddle and frame bags), mudguards and cycling tools.
Bicycles outside this definition are not covered:
Any bicycle, Electric bicycles (provided it has power assistance to a maximum of 25kmh/15.5mph using a motor of no more than 250w rated output), adult tricycle or tandem including permanently fixed component parts, including the approved lock and that belongs to you or a family member.
Any cycle with a value in excess of £15,000
We only cover pedal bikes; we do not cover motorcycles or electric scooters.
Hired bikes are not covered. We only cover bicycles that you own.
Although our coverage is comprehensive there are some exclusions you should be aware of. Please consult this list and review the policy wording for further detail:
• Professional use: We don’t cover bikes used for professional purpose or any trade or business.
• Competitive events: If you haven’t selected the competitive/sportive usage option then you cannot claim for events such as triathlons, sportives, cyclo-cross, road cycle races, time trials, track cycling or mountain bike races.
• Commuting: You must select the commuting usage option to claim for any incidents related to commuting to or from work.
• Theft claims will be denied if the specified security requirements in your policy haven’t been met.
• Accessories and removable parts: These are not covered unless the bike itself is also stolen or damaged, and you have adequate accessories cover.
• Claims cannot be made without proof of ownership.
• Abandonment: We won’t cover claims if the bike has been abandoned.
• Non-functional damage: Damage that does not impair the function and/or the performance of your bike is not covered.
• Tyres and inner tubes: These are only covered if your bike suffers accidental or malicious damage at the same time.
• Personal accident cover for anyone under 12 years old or over 84 years old.
• Public liability cover for anyone under 16 years old or over 84 years old.
• General wear and tear is not covered.
• Deliberate or intentional damage caused by you is not covered.
Please select the appropriate cover for your usage and adhere to policy conditions to avoid any surprises when making a claim.
Your bicycle insurance policy can assist you in this unfortunate situation. It’s crucial that you report the incident to the police as soon as possible, providing them with a detailed account of what occurred. Before submitting your claim, you must have the following:
• A valid and confirmed crime reference number
• Evidence of ownership of the cycle
Having these details ready will help speed up the claims process.
The policy will cover repair costs if your bike is accidentally damaged whilst being transported by a recognised transport provider. However, to make sure you are covered, you must securely package your bike and obtain a receipt as proof of transit.
Please note, theft of your bicycle whilst in transit is not covered under this policy. If your bike is stolen after being entrusted to a transport provider, then you need to contact the company directly for assistance.
Your policy does provide coverage for accidental damage to the cycle while it is on the carrier.
If you are transporting your bicycle using a rear-mounted carrier and a third party collides with your car, you should seek compensation for the damage from the third party, as they would be liable for the damages.
Theft of your bicycle while mounted on the racks is covered providing the cycle is secured through the frame by an Approved Lock to a cycle rack which is properly and securely fitted to either the roof, rear or towbar of the vehicle. Any and all security devices with the vehicle must be working and active.
Covered as standard:
• Theft
• Accidental damage
• Malicious damage
• Replacement bicycle hire
• Personal accident
Optional add-ons for additional cover:
• Public liability cover
• Cycle breakdown
• Cycling accessories
• Cycle event cover
• Worldwide cover
If you select Competitive/Sportive use when getting a quote, you’ll be covered when participating in organised cycling events. This includes triathlons, sportives, cyclo-cross, road races, time trials, track cycling and mountain bike races.
Yes, wheels are covered as part of your bike insurance. You must take reasonable steps to secure your bike and components to make theft as difficult as possible. For example, if your bike has quick-release wheels you can:
• Use an approved lock to secure both the front wheel and the frame.
• Consider purchasing additional approved locks to secure the frame and wheels to an immovable object.
Yes, our standard cover includes mountain bike insurance as well as electric bike insurance, push bike insurance and road bike insurance. We can even provide cover for adult tricycles or a tandems.
Yes, electric cycles must have powered assistance to a maximum of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) using a motor of no more than 250 Watts rated output.
Yes, bikes obtained through the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme will be protected by a Cover4Cycles policy.
Our standard policy covers you in the UK only.
You can upgrade your policy to include trips abroad for durations of up to 30, 60, or 90 days, with no limit on the number of trips you can take in your selected time frame. All trips must begin and end in the United Kingdom before the end date shown on your policy schedule.
Please note, we do not cover travel to any country where the Foreign Office has advised against all travel or all but essential travel. For a complete list, please refer to the Foreign Office website: www.fco.gov.uk.
We offer 2 levels of Personal Accident cover. You can add this option as part of your quote.
Personal Accident covers you or a family member in the event of being involved in an accident while using the bicycle, that occurs solely and independently of any other cause. The accident must result in bodily injury that leads to death, loss of limb, loss of sight, or permanent total disablement.
The amounts payable depends on the level you select and are as follows:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |
| Death | £10,000 | £25,000 |
| Loss of limb (one or more) | £5,000 | £12,500 |
| Loss of sight (permanent & total) | ||
| Both eyes: | £5,000 | £12,500 |
| One eye: | £2,500 | £6,250 |
| Permanent Total Disablement | £10,000 | £25,000 |
Personal Accident cover is available for those age 18 to 69.
Our policy only covers you and the family members who permanently reside with you at the same address. Eligible family members include:
• Parents
• Spouse
• Partner
• Children or siblings (aged 12 years or over)
You must follow the security requirements; not adhering them could invalidate a claim. The way you secure bike depends on whether you are storing at your specific insured location, away from your specified location or in/on a vehicle. Here are the minimum-security requirements under this policy:
At insured location
If you keep your bicycle inside your home or in an alternative specified insured location, then theft and accidental or malicious damage will be covered, as long as all security devices are in operation and accompanied by evidence of forced or violent entry/exit.
If you choose to store your bike in communal areas, then the communal area must only be accessible to residents and their guests. Your bike must be secured to an immovable object with an approved lock through the bike frame. You must not leave your bike unattended for more than 24 hours.
If you keep your bike inside a private garage or a shed (outbuilding) then this building must be fully enclosed and constructed of brick, stone, concrete, timber or metal; this extends to include specialist bicycle storage boxes. The outbuilding must be fitted with a multi-point locking system, 5-lever mortice deadlock, a 5-lever padlock and kept securely locked at all times. The bicycle must be secured to an immovable object with an approved lock through the bike frame.
Away from insured location
If you secure your bicycle away from home, then your bike must be secured to an immovable object with an approved lock through the bike frame to ensure that theft and accidental or malicious damage is covered. You must not leave your bike unattended for more than 24 hours and you must also supply evidence of force or violence used to access or take your bicycle.
In a vehicle
If you keep your bike in a vehicle, then the vehicle must firstly be insured and road legal. It must then be securely locked. All security devices must be working and activated:
• A Thatcham approved alarm
• An alarm installed by the manufacturer
On a Vehicle
In addition to the above, the cycle must be secured through the frame with an approved lock to a cycle rack which is properly and securely fixed to either the roof, rear or towbar of the vehicle.
If you store your bike in a vehicle, then it must be out of sight where possible.
To comply with your Cover4Cycles insurance policy, your bike must be secured using an approved lock. Locks should have the Sold Secure logo as these have been tested by approved bodies approved by our underwriters.
An approved lock depends on your bike value and is specified on your policy documents:
• For bikes valued up to £250: You need a lock tested to the bronze standard by Sold Secure.
• For bikes valued between £250 and £1,499: You need a lock tested to the silver standard by Sold Secure.
• For bikes valued £1,500 and above: You need a lock tested to the gold standard by SoldSecure.
• Any other lock explicitly accepted by us and agreed upon in writing.
If your lock isn’t appearing on our list, try searching the specific model name rather than the manufacturer.
Still have questions?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!