Insurance issue with stolen e bikes

Sep 13, 2020
119
64
Just been reading this article which is all about somebody who has two bikes half inched from his garage. One is an e bike.

The insurers are paying for the non e bike and the damage to the garage door, but not the e bike, because it is motorised and therefore not covered.

Apologies if I'm teaching my granny how to suck eggs, but I certainly wasn't aware of this and thought it might be worth raising awareness. On the other hand, if it's just me, ignore.
 

davell

Pedelecer
Jun 6, 2017
154
64
Doncaster
You normally have to specify on the policy that it is an ebike or at least check with the insurer when taking up the policy. I always get it in writing from them so they can’t squirm out of it if needed later.
 

kangooroo

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 24, 2015
267
182
Wye Valley
Sadly many don't cover eBikes. I always check the policy smallprint on the bike section to ensure it states eBikes are covered.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,765
30,351
Technically they should cover e-bikes as well if they are legal pedelecs, since in law they are still bicycles and not motor vehicles.

Sadly though insurance companies are usually more concerned with avoiding their liabilities than honouring them.
.
 
Sep 13, 2020
119
64
Out of interest I decided to check my own insurance policy, which under home contents says the following:-

Specified Personal Possessions:

The following exclusions have been added to the 'what is not covered' section:

(j) theft of any pedal cycle unless:

(i) it is in your immediate view and reach; or
(ii) locked to a fixed point; or
(iii) is in a locked building


So I'm taking that to mean that e bikes are covered, as it states "any" pedal cycle.
 

shed

Pedelecer
Mar 6, 2021
29
21
Tesco Home Insurance appears to exclude bicycles with any form of motorised assistance from the third party liability section but doesn't seem to exclude those from the optional bicycle cover (and given most e-bikes are over the value that needs to be identified and declared separately then I guess they couldn't wheedle out if so declared).

I've been working on the assumption that specialist bike insurance would be a better option anyway as it would have better coverage incl third party and any claim wouldn't incur the home insurance excess and potential reduction in NCDs for several years. What's the views on home insurance vs separate bicycle insurance policy?
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,642
2,652
Winchester
You get third party insurance with membership of Cycling UK (and some others? British Cycling?)
 
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GBCyclist

Finding my (electric) wheels
Mar 4, 2021
8
9
Direct line checked today and they do cover e-bikes.....which remember must comply with UK law (pedal assisted only, 250W power motor, 25kmph etc) otherwise they are no longer bicycles and hence not covered.