My mate has had 2 or 3 claims paid out for bikes taken from his shed, with Aviva.

When 2 of our bikes were stolen, Aviva and then IVAL were really good, the only issue had to start with was proof of the bike, thankfully was in the background for picture of my pooches. It was only when moved onto wheelies they were a bit useless and sent the wrong bike, I got sent a pink girls bike with tassels instead of a fs bike. But looking back was painless the main stress was choosing the new bikes.

Yes, very painless through LV. Gave me the cash to replace with another second hand one.

Yes, back in the day a claim via M&S who directed me to wheelies, who couldn't supply a like for like on my custom build I asked for the cash option as per my policy. Roll on a yr later police recovered my bike, I informed M&S that the police have returned your goods what do you want to do with it? a week later told me to keep it or dispose of as I see fit. Sold it on more £££

A few years ago we were clocked unloading the camper from our Alps trip.
Two days later the same lads were back, busted the garage door and took a S Works Stumpy and a S Works Enduro.
Police were quick to respond but didn't catch them. CCTV footage captured it all but nothing could be proven and bikes never surfaced.
M and S who we were insured with were first class in getting the repairs paid out for and Wheelies provided 2 new S Works bikes, we were even offered a choice on wheel size and a hefty discount on anything we wanted to order at the same time

Had 2 major claims in 6 months. Both paid out, did mean we were pretty much uninsurable after that.

Just had a claim paid out from Bikmo. Back of the shed was ripped off and 2 bike stolen + accessories. Got paid out for it all minus a 10% excess.

It's an important question. I believe many insurance providers of all types funnel customers to review sites at the end of the purchase process.

Yep, with Churchill- listed all the parts, worked out a pretty fair replacement price considering that most of the parts were well used etc, they basically sent David Davis to do the negotiating and sent me about 50% more than I'd asked for. Also paid out for loads of other small things like tools, a box of spares... I walked away with easily a grand more than I would have made if I'd sold the thing.

Yes, nicked from inside a locked van on my driveway.

Aviva had the cash in my bank inside 5 days. All they asked for was a receipt, all I had to give them was the order from YT.

Had two claims a few years ago now, both paid in full eventually. The second one, 3 bikes and a rack taken off of the back of my car, Aviva did quibble about and wouldn't pay out the full amount, but Barclays Bank who sold me the House Insurance under which they were covered did make up the difference. Currently have all our bikes named and covered (new for old) on our house contents policy. Looking at the thread I think you shouldn't skimp on cost when insuring your bike and go with a named or specialist company, not just Joe's Insurance on Confused.com because they are the cheapest. Of all your possessions a bike probably has the most chance of going walkabout, apart from maybe a phone.

This was 15 years ago....

Yes.

Zurich put me straight on to a chap who took spreadsheet of built bike, valued it all (at a retail price level) and put me onto Wheelies with £2k credit to choose the new bike.

New bike was delivered in under a fortnight.

Lloyds were excellent, they approved the claim very quickly and then passed me onto Wheelies.

Wheelies were a mixed bag really, on the plus side they quizzed me about upgrades I'd made, which of course I had, I had hundreds of pounds of CRC invoices which they were happy to add to the claim, shame stopped me claiming things like replacement rotors and pads as 'upgrades'.

The downside to all the generosity though was their selection of bikes is limited and eye wateringly expensive. I could have asked for a cash settlement, but given the above I didn't mind so much.

Yep, with Churchill- listed all the parts, worked out a pretty fair replacement price considering that most of the parts were well used etc, they basically sent David Davis to do the negotiating and sent me about 50% more than I’d asked for. Also paid out for loads of other small things like tools, a box of spares… I walked away with easily a grand more than I would have made if I’d sold the thing.

Sounds like you claimed second hand value on a new for old policy?

Notice we all seem to be talking about thefts

I write off my Condor frame and forks just over a year ago - pedestrian stepped out between parked cars and caused me to stop very suddenly.

Sent Aviva photos and a report from the LBS. They offered me the price of the replacement frame off Condors website (less the excess) straight away. I sent them the original invoice to show the additional cost of the custom paint, and a quote from LBS to swap the parts over, and the money was in my account 2 days later

My claim through the AA home insurance was painful. Tried to wriggle out on outbuildings limit, which was not properly explained at time of taking out the policy, despite me asking and explaining several times that whilst only one bike exceeded the named item value (and was therefore covered), the other rest of the claim should be capped. They went back to voice recordings when policy taken out, and settled for full claim less expenses. Apparently they do not expect the person selling you the policy to understand the policy they are selling.

Claim then went to Wheelies, who were actually really good. They asked for details of the bikes stolen, and very quickly realised that cash settlement would be more cost effective replacing with new (most of the bikes had been built up from parts be me rather than off the shelf) and approx 1/3 of the claim was for parts, not bikes.

Having all the email/receipts from purchases, be that shops or eBay certainly helped evidence the value of the claim - yes I rally did pay £110 for a pristine/barely used set of M900 mechs, and only £275 for a an early 80s second hand Witcomb steel road frame with 1st gen Dura-ace mechs - maybe I should have stung them for a brand new custom steel frame and Dura-ace group set.

Won’t have anything to do with AA Insurance since.

a long time ago and got new for old prices on a parts bin special.

that was with M&S before they watered down theirs T&C's.

Yes, back in the day a claim via M&S who directed me to wheelies, who couldn’t supply a like for like on my custom build I asked for the cash option as per my policy.

Same here. 18 Bikes sorted out a like for like build cost, submitted that to M&S and was paid out in a couple of days. I was also offered assistance with repairing any damage that was caused to property during the theft.

Still with M&S but bike is now specified

Twice in quick succession with Aviva. Painless and full value paid out with no quibbles, would highly recommend.

Pedalcover paid out for me when my bike was stolen from inside a vehicle - the main reason I'd taken their insurance was the fact that no one else seems to allow for that. After that claim they removed cover from inside a vehicle, and their cover for outbuildings (including Asgards) was reduced for everyone, making them unable to cover my bikes.

Pedalcover's excess was also high, but they covered the excess with an excess protection policy. That's run by someone else and they were absolutely bloody useless - it took months to get the last bit of the payment out of them.

As a result I'm now with Aviva and lock my bikes to stuff outside or take them inside my accomodation when I'm away instead of leave them in the van so they're covered.

5 years ago with M&S after an outbuilding break in.  Could not have been easier, dealt with Wheelies who were also really good.  Hope I never have to do it again though 🙂

Yes. I had 5 bikes stolen last summer (one incident).

Insured with Halifax (all bikes listed individually). I had to provide receipts for proof of purchase, which was the difficult bit as some bikes were 10 years old and others built up from frames.

Got there in the end, then directed to wheelies who obviously couldn't offer like for like so valuation took place and offered cash values for each.

My claim through the AA home insurance was painful. Tried to wriggle out on outbuildings limit, which was not properly explained at time of taking out the policy, despite me asking and explaining several times that whilst only one bike exceeded the named item value (and was therefore covered), the other rest of the claim should be capped. They went back to voice recordings when policy taken out, and settled for full claim less expenses. Apparently they do not expect the person selling you the policy to understand the policy they are selling.

Claim then went to Wheelies, who were actually really good. They asked for details of the bikes stolen, and very quickly realised that cash settlement would be more cost effective replacing with new (most of the bikes had been built up from parts be me rather than off the shelf) and approx 1/3 of the claim was for parts, not bikes.

Having all the email/receipts from purchases, be that shops or eBay certainly helped evidence the value of the claim – yes I rally did pay £110 for a pristine/barely used set of M900 mechs, and only £275 for a an early 80s second hand Witcomb steel road frame with 1st gen Dura-ace mechs – maybe I should have stung them for a brand new custom steel frame and Dura-ace group set.

Won’t have anything to do with AA Insurance since.

Interesting, I've just renewed with AA and they clearly stated that the garage was within the boundaries of my home. Not sure if I should just rely on this recording or to call up to clarify the point.

Aviva were falling over themselves to pay out when we had 3 taken from our garage.

Couple of questions
1 - are you covering bikes on your home insurance? asking as sounds like there might be some specialist bike cover above
2 - what did it do to your premiums? if it's on specialist insurance, can you avoid disclosing to your house insurance?

@hexhamstu

Specific issue was that my garage was detached from the house, so was treated as an outbuilding with a £3k claim limit for items not “named”. Items only had to be named if over £1k. Only one of my bikes exceeded this, which ironically was not one of the ones taken. I got the full claim (£6.5k less excess), as the recording had me repeatedly asking whether multiple bikes all under the named limit would be covered when stored in the garage with suitable locks, to which the answer was yes.

Check the fine print of your policy, and read as if you were trying to avoid paying out.

@benp1
I now insure my bikes etc. via separate policy with Bikmo, which also covers away from home. They also extended the cover at no extra cost to cover storage facility when I was moving house. They are not listed on my home contents.

My Cube Hyde Race was nicked back in 2015. I think I paid around £400 for it from eBay and the insurance gave me the full RRP for it (around £900). Had to go through Wheelies for the replacement though. I think that was with Aviva although I'm with Halifax now.

Yes ..

Had a shed broken into and a Bike and petrol hedge cutter pinched. Paid out for both immediately but I cant remember who we were with then but I think it was Aviva.

MoreCashThanDash
Full Member

Sounds like you claimed second hand value on a new for old policy?

Nah, it was a replacement value policy. Don't really know what their logic was but I didn't complain

" Interesting, I’ve just renewed with AA and they clearly stated that the garage was within the boundaries of my home. Not sure if I should just rely on this recording or to call up to clarify the point."

I think sometimes they switch between "house" and "home" with the two having different meanings.

Had two incidents, one from a shed at home, one from a locked bike cage, D locked to a cycle frame at work. Aviva paid out both times, no questions asked. Would recommend.

1 – are you covering bikes on your home insurance? asking as sounds like there might be some specialist bike cover above
2 – what did it do to your premiums? if it’s on specialist insurance, can you avoid disclosing to your house insurance?

Majority of posters seem to have bikes specified on their house insurance

I have £15k of specified bikes on top of house and contents and its less than £400 all in.

Not sure what you'd not want to disclose to your house insurance, but they all use the same database to share info.

Only theft was as a student covered away from home on my folks Direct Line policy. I wanted to go for a cash settlement but my dad wanted an easy life (thought I was being unreasonable) and ended up dealing with Wheelies. So much for an easy life, took about 3 months to sort out and in the end they never sent a complete bike, the importer ended up sending me a seatpost since they forgot that bit, and what was there wasn't even correct or in some cases compatible. The wheels they built were shite as well.

Now with Aviva and wouldn't deal with Wheelies again.

Just got off the phone to M+S, because it's renewal time soon.
Bike is not covered in the van. Even if locked to a fixed object in van, because the van is moveable. not fixed.

Last year I asked and it was insured inside, if locked to fixed object- not any more.

So, Like Munrobiker, got an issue I need a solution for. Really do not like the idea of locking it to the bike rack on main road outside hostelry for the post ride tipple, to comply with insurance. Does anybody insure bikes inside a vehicle?

I've got a feeling that the ombudsman took a position on bikes locked inside vehicles. I think they said that - to all intents and purposes - a vehicle is counted as an immobile object.

But I can't seem to find a reference for it.

Lots of insurers do talk about what happens when bikes are nicked from cars (specifically) so M&S's wording is a bit vague.

I'll keep an eye out for the "answer". In the meantime I'd suggest ringing them up again and asking the same question - see if the result is different! 😁

Really do not like the idea of locking it to the bike rack on main road outside hostelry for the post ride tipple, to comply with insurance.

That makes no sense, isn't then by their definition the car the rack is on movable and therefore anything on or in the car also movable?

The bike rack is a part of the street furniture. Sorry to confuse. It's not a car bike rack. I will be reading all documents tonight.

Claimed for accidental damage when I skidded off on ice and bike got hit by a van. Carbon frame cracked and payout was cash for a new one.

M&S insurance, one bike specified as its over value. One cheap bike stolen a few years ago. wheelies gave me a bike worth 10 x what the stolen one was worth and I didn't fib at all.

A good experience here with Nationwide home insurance.

My bike was stolen when locked to a lamppost on the street (cheap lock was broken). Bike was bought new for £450, some extras added like a dropper, Cateye computer and so on.

New for old replacement, they just asked me to send them a list of items and links so they could see the prices, plus photos of the bike for proof I actually had the stuff. They ended up paying over £700 and even reminded me to claim for the broken £15 lock!

They do not specify any particular strength of lock for any value bike, just as long as it's either locked to an immovable object or inside your home/garage/car.

(So annoyingly, my commuter which was recently stolen and only locked with a framelock, was not insured. Idiot 🙁 )

Yes twice - I was drafting a learner driver who was apparently being taught how to do emergency stops - I ended up on the rear windscreen peering inside like Garfield - made a successful claim to replace my roadbike (& now don't draft anybody!).

2nd time also on M&S insurance when several bikes were stolen in a burglary - all dealt with very well by Wheelies - no hassle.

Yes. Quite a few years ago someone let themselves into the cellar of the building we were living in at the time and broke into our room only and whisked away my Giant TCR road bike and Intense Tracer. Didn't lave a trace and even locked the padlock on the door again. We put in a claim for about 8 thousand euros as they had stolen other sporting equipment like skis and snowboards. The insurance company sent a claims assesor to re-check the contents of our flat as we were insured for around 10 grand IFRC and they wanted himn to recalculate the contensts for the household insurance. At the time most of the furniture we had was given to us by various memembers of Mrs Sten's family as we hadn't been in Germany that long. The guy was arguing that the 15 year old sofa that the brother-in-law had given us was worth a couple of thousand euros and stuff like that.In the end he sat down and calculated the value of everything and the grand total came to exactly 10 grand! The look of disappointment on his face was a picture. Then he started angling that we trying to commit fraud and was asking questions about why I could provide so many pictures of the stolen bikes when quick as a flash Mrs Stren answers, 'Because he loves his bikes more than his own children!' We got the money a week later!

I've claimed three times. All went smoothly. Probably £5k the first time, £5k the next and £10k the next.

My mate claimed over £50k when he had 13 bikes stolen.

@RoterStern That resonates here and gave us a laugh!

Excellent news - Rich-s was right. I rang up just now (twice) and the weekday M+S phone handlers confirmed that bikes locked in a locked vehicle are fully covered. They are also covered when locked to a locked on cycle rack. Happy days. I have noted the times and dates of the questions and person name just in case this needs to be played back. So pleased common sense prevailed. I recommend M=S fully - no hanging around and good handlers just now, just ring them on a weekday 🙂

Regarding bikes on/in cars I spoke with my insurer (admiral) recently about this. I was told that my bike was covered when locked to the towbar bike rack (during daylight hours) because the car counts as an immovable object.
The call centre guy might be wrong but at least I should have this recorded conversation on my file if ever I need it.