Insurance problems

[flecc]

Hatti, further to my post above on the legality of 250 watt e-bikes, have a look at this post from David of Wisper, in particular at this extract:

The DfT and Police are aware that electric bikes currently sold and used in the UK are fitted with 250W motors, they do not intend to become involved in prosecuting those that sell or ride them.

Clearly 250 watt e-bikes are fully acceptable as bicycles to the UK authorities now, and this should satisfy any insurance company.

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

Hi everyone and thank you for your feedback so far.

I thought I'd better do a bit more homework on this, so I googled up electric bike insurance.

Here are my findings:

4 companies appear initially to offer it: Butterworths, Swinton, MCE and Cycleguard.

The Butterworths telephone number was invalid, so no joy there.

MCE do not do electric bike insurance - only motorbikes - so no joy there either.

Swintons do third party, fire and theft and do not specify motor size. You can request public liability but each case would be quoted on an individual basis (needing details like rider's age, motoring convictions (?) etc).

Cycleguard were very helpful. They offer electric bike insurance with an option for public liability and also an option for AA type roadside service (useful if your bike gives up the ghost half way across the Pennines!). I went onto their website with a 'test' sample from me, putting the replacement value at £700 and ticking electric bike and public liability options. The quote was £67 pa. Roadside rescue service took it up to £81 pa. I think that's pretty good, and they don't specify motor size - they only require that the bike conforms to the statutory 15.5mph speed limit.

Their telephone number is 0844 826 2297.

If you DO do an online quote for yourself out of curiosity, however, be aware that they will call you - my guess is to try and secure your business. Still, well worth knowing about them.

Hatti

Cycleguard are good we use them!

 

[jill]

What I would like is Pedelec to have a insurance site on board.Good and fair insurance price ,good cover with a extra to pay for repairs to bike.I have no one around to sort my trike this would be a gift from heaven to me. I am struggling to cover apart from the usual ebike insurance its almost as much as a car.How about it big bosses can you help us out?

 

[Scimitar]

That seems like a natural alliance - and good business for somebody if they pull their finger out.

 

[tillson]

There is a danger that you can over insure or pay to insure the same risk twice here. The first thing you should do is check your home insurance to see if you already have cycle theft insurance, or if it can be added cheaply. Even consider changing contents policy provider to one that does provide cycle insurance as this can work out cheaper than some specific standalone cycle insurance products
Home insurance will cover you for third party liability whilst on your bike for around 1 to 5 million. So unless you are planning on colliding with a giant panda, that should be plenty. Insurance companies love to sell you insurance to cover the same risk twice, so beware.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

What I would like is Pedelec to have a insurance site on board.Good and fair insurance price ,good cover with a extra to pay for repairs to bike.I have no one around to sort my trike this would be a gift from heaven to me. I am struggling to cover apart from the usual ebike insurance its almost as much as a car.How about it big bosses can you help us out?

Hi Jill have a look at Wisper | Electric Bikes | Insurance this may help. The 10% discount is available whether you have a Wisper or any other kind of pedal bike.

Best regards

David

 

[Storcker]

When I bought my Storck Raddar Multitask and looked at insuring it I had to give up in the end.
My house/contents insurance would not insure it as its value was over £1500.
Specialist insurers I found on the internet wanted over £250 premium for theft/fire, the only cover I wanted.
So I gave up and spent a couple of hundred on high security chains and locks for at home and never let it out of my sight when out and about.