Commuter bike insurance

A commuter bike is not necessarily a particular type of bike, but simply whatever bike you choose to cycle on, when commuting to work, or for just getting around.

Folding bikes in particular, are a popular commuter bike, due to their ability to collapse into an easy to carry, smaller bundle. This makes them great for storing in tight spaces, such as the office, at home or in the car.

When buying a bike for commuting purposes, it’s important to consider the following:

• How long will you be sitting in the saddle for?
• What type of terrain will you be cycling on?
• Do you want a bike that is more versatile?
• How many gears do you think you will need on your bike?

All of the above questions should help you decide on the type of bike, that will best suit your cycling needs.

Yes, your commuter bike can be covered against theft, vandalism, accidental damage, flood and fire damage while you’re at work providing that your bike is locked in accordance with our simplified lock requirements.

The Cyclescheme is a government initiative to get more people commuting to work by bike.

Eligible employees get to choose commuter bikes and cycling accessories via their employer, the cost of which is spread out over 12 months through a series of tax-saving initiatives where you effectively ‘hire’ your bike. At the end of your 12 month period you can buy your bike from your employer for its HMRC Fair Market Value, or your workplace can keep the bike for future use!

Commuting by bike can help improve your health, bank balance and the environment.

You can save on the costs of running your car with a reduced outlay on petrol, maintenance, and parking. The health benefits are numerous and include increased heart health and muscle strength, as well as weight loss. Being fitter helps you to stay healthier for longer and can reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and other longer-term illnesses. Cycling can also benefit your mental health and could lower your risk, or help to treat illnesses like depression.

The wider benefit is the impact on the environment that commuting by bike can have as you reduce your air pollutants, noise pollution and congestion and overall carbon footprint.

Commuting by bike poses its own set of risks, like any form of travel. Bike commuters face dangers posed by cars and other road users in traffic, potential collisions with pedestrians and even a vulnerability to air pollution.

However, ensuring you are visible with the right reflective clothing and lights; following the rules of the road; and being patient as well as confident in the way you ride, can all help to keep you safe on your commute.

Yes, we can cover yours and your family’s bikes on one policy, which will automatically include your Multi-bike Discount, with a maximum combined value of £20,000. If you're looking for insurance for commuter bikes over this amount, then please contact us by either:

• Phone: 0333 004 3444
• Email: support@guardcover.co.uk

If your policy start date is from the 1^st March 2022 onwards:

We will reimburse you or a member of your family for the cost of a single taxi journey, up to a maximum of £200, to your onward destination or insured location with your insured bicycle, if you are unable to complete your cycling journey in the event of:

• the theft of the insured bicycle, or
• accidental damage to the insured bicycle, or
• irreparable breakdown of the insured bicycle, or
• irreparable puncture to the insured bicycle, or
• an injury whilst cycling the insured bicycle.

Cover applies within the United Kingdom only, and for incidents that occur more than 1 mile from our insured location. A valid receipt from a registered taxi company will be required as proof of expenditure, which can be included within your claim.

If your policy start date is before the 1^st March 2022:

You will receive a contact number for "Call Assist" the recovery breakdown providers. We would recommend that you store this number on your mobile phone or in an accessible place when you are out cycling. Call Assist have over 1,500 recovery agents and will despatch the nearest one to recover you and your bike. They will then travel to your location and transport you to the nearest one of the following:

• A suitable cycle repair shop
• An appropriate railway station
• A car rental agency
• The nearest overnight accommodation
• Your home

Your commuter bike will be covered for use by other members of your family. A family member means parents, spouse, partner, siblings, or children / step children, but only when living at the same insured location (where your insured bike(s) is usually kept, which should also be your main place of residence).

Our Race and Compete cover option will also extend accidental damage cover to riders at the same cycling or triathlon club.

The value should be the current, new undiscounted cost including VAT from a reputable dealer at the time you apply. End of season offers, and bargains do not count as the usual price.

We are able to offer a quotation up to a maximum value of £20,000 for individual commuter bikes or multiple bicycles. You can insure up to 10 bicycles on one policy providing the total value does not exceed the £20,000 limit.

If you have a commuter bike or bicycles over that value, we may be able to offer you a quotation. You can either call us for your individual quote on: 0333 004 3444, or alternatively you can email us at: support@guardcover.co.uk

Yes. You must be a UK resident and domiciled in the UK.

Yes, the excess amount will depend on the type and value of the claim.

• Claim amount is under £1,500 = excess of £50
• Claim amount £1,500 to £2,999 = excess of £100
• Claim amount £3,000 to £4,999 = excess of £150
• Claim amount is over £5,000 = excess of £200

For Public Liability claims, the first £500 of each claim arising from damage to third party property.

Yes, you can make changes to your policy by simply logging in to your online account here, or by calling us on: 0333 004 3444

You can add or delete insured items and change some aspects of your policy. Note that additions will incur additional costs. Additional premiums are charged on a pro rata basis from the date of change. Any cover options that you choose can only be added or removed when you first buy the policy or at renewal.

The minimum age for the main policyholder is 18. Public Liability and Personal Accident cover (if you have chosen to include this on your policy) will only apply to anyone aged 16 or over at the time of any incident, and total permanent disablement cover is only available for anyone aged 65 or under.

You must disclose any criminal convictions which have not been spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are in any doubt as to whether this applies to you, you should call us to discuss your individual circumstances.

You need to tell us about any cycle related losses or claims you have had within the last three years, whether insured or not. It is important that you make an honest disclosure of any previous claims or losses, as this could invalidate your cover.

Yes, your policy will cover you for 30 days in the EU as standard, with the option to extend to annual worldwide cover (maximum 60 days per trip).

Please note that the Cycle Rescue cover, Claims Bike Hire and Public Liability cover option only applies to the United Kingdom. Public Liability cover is excluded from North America.

Provided your bike is suitably packed in a bike bag or box and you have a receipt from the airline that your bike was checked onto the aircraft, then your bicycle would be covered against accidental damage. While under the responsibility of your transport provider, we don’t include cover against theft.

Extend your cover to include our Global Travel option and your bike box will be covered for up to £300 for accidental damage.

Providing you follow the security and lock requirements (you can find these here) your commuter bike is covered whether at home, work or out on the trails anywhere in the UK and for up to 30 days in the EU.

It's very important that wherever you leave your bike, that it is securely locked through the frame, to an immovable object with an approved lock and is not left unattended, when you are away from your insured location, for more than 24 hours.

Yes, we can cover commuter bikes stored in a “Communal Cycle Storage Area” providing they are locked through the frame to an immovable object with an approved lock.

We class a Communal Cycling Storage Area as: a fully enclosed residential cycle parking specific compound that is securely locked (only accessible through a lockable entrance which can only be opened by key or access code) and specifically dedicated to your insured location.

When your commuter bike is within the direct boundaries of your insured location (where your insured bike(s) is usually kept, which should also be your main place of residence), and if it is not being stored in a fully enclosed and locked building or cycle storage unit, your bike needs to be locked to an immovable object through the frame of the bike, with an approved lock.

If the bike is stored in a communal hallway it will only be covered if the hallway is on the same floor as your insured location and, again, your bike needs to be locked to an immovable object, through the frame of the bike, with an approved lock. The same lock requirements apply if your bike is stored in a “Communal Cycle Storage Area”.

When you are away from the home, such as at a campsite, you would be able to lock the bike to an immovable object with an approved lock, through the frame of the bike and leave it unattended for up to 24 hours.

You need to include the value of your bike and any fixed accessories or replacement parts when taking out the policy. If you buy accessories later and add them to your bike, you can update the value of your bike through your online account or call on: 0333 004 3444

Yes, the requirements are quite specific in terms of types of locks and security devices. For more details, see our policy wording or take at our lock requirements here.

It is a condition of your insurance that you use an approved lock appropriate with the value of your commuter bike. You can find our approved locklist which details our requirements here. Our approved lock list has been created to make sure that the best level of defence is being provided against cycle theft. When the lock is in use, it must be placed through the frame of your bike and secure the bike to an immovable object

For your commuter bike to be covered and for any claims to be successful you must make sure that the lock that you are using is in-line with our approved lock list and the security requirements.