We had MrsF’s old Voodoo stolen a couple of weeks ago. I tried consoling her that the silver lining would be an insurance payment allowing her to get something much more modern and simply better.

First of all the insurer wouldn’t pay because we hadn’t kept a receipt for the lock.

But then we got to looking at stock levels. I know it’s been talked about a lot but it was so much worse than I had expected.

Budget of £2000-4000, size small, xc focused bike. Not fussy about material or about HT vs FS.

We found five suitable bikes in the whole of the UK. Obviously trying for size is impossible when several are hundreds of miles away, and of course you can’t really spend a few days considering, as someone else will buy the one you’re thinking about.

It was a really eye-opening experience.

BTW, Sonder Dial, XT/Reba, orange.

Yup, I’m treating myself to a new bike (to replace my current one, which is definitely of MrsF’s Voodoo vintage), went to Alpkit in Hathersage in late March to have a look at the Signal, effectively ordered it blind as I need a large and they only had a medium in stock for me to sit on, and am looking forward to receiving it in early June…

First of all the insurer wouldn’t pay because we hadn’t kept a receipt for the lock.

WTAF?

I know, not something one would expect to have to keep. Even if we had, that doesn’t prove anything other than we once bought a lock. Certainly doesn’t prove we’d used it.

They also asked if we had a photo of the lock, or had another exactly the same. Unsurprisingly, our answers were both “no”.

Anyway, new bike coming next week and MrsF seems pretty excited.

Alpkit haven’t been able to get hold of Rebas, so rather than wait with no bike, it’s being shipped with a Recon, I’ve ordered a Reba from Wiggle and I’ll swap them when it arrives.

First of all the insurer wouldn’t pay because we hadn’t kept a receipt for the lock.

WTAF?

I became personally liable for a £50k claim when a drunk guy fell down into the outside basement yard of a shop we rented and our insurance foxtrot’d us off because the 5lever lock on the back door of the shop (we rented) wasn’t BS approved.
I hate insurance companies.

{back to talking about bikes}

Am thinking I might try to get into the habit of taking a picture of the bike, locked, every time i leave it anywhere (pretty much only on the roof of the car while we stop for food etc), then just delete when I return.

First of all the insurer wouldn’t pay because we hadn’t kept a receipt for the lock.

Who is the insurer?

Who is it? There must be a way we can evaluate each CO’s requirements that would trip up the average forum member. At least one insurance Co out there must be good for bikes…

gingerflash

I know, not something one would expect to have to keep. Even if we had, that doesn’t prove anything other than we once bought a lock. Certainly doesn’t prove we’d used it.

They also asked if we had a photo of the lock, or had another exactly the same. Unsurprisingly, our answers were both “no”.

Surely you know someone with a suitable lock and receipt?

It was Pedalcover.

Their terms say they do not cover “Any claim where Evidence of Ownership cannot be provided
for the Bicycle, Accessories or Approved Lock”.

It’s the proof of ownership of the lock that did for us. We’ll certainly make sure we keep the receipt for the new lock. The old one was substantial but old, and I think bought from B&Q – Masterlock brand. There was no way we could prove purchase.

I’m also with pedal cover and spoke to then at length about the above clause.
They will not accept a review of the parts by a bike shop either you must have proof of purchase for everything.
If like me you have a bike made of various nice parts I’ve bought over the years I’d be struggling if I ever had to make a claim.

On my way out now to take photos of my locks!!

It would be interesting to know what proportion of theft claims they actually honour.

We’ve paid thousands in premiums (c£900 a year i think) over the last 25 years or so and this is our first claim. Could have had some rather nice holidays (or more bikes) instead of what we’ve spent on useless insurance.

Anyway, a nice new bike is on its way.

Sad example of why insurance is shit.

I’ve emailed Pedalcover linking them to this thread and saying if this situation is true then there’s no way I’m renewing with them. I’m sure it will do no good but other current customers might like to do the same.

Is it the same with all insurance co’s though? There is nothing specifically wrong with that term if they throw it in your face when taking the insurance and it’s not hidden in the small print.

It’s certainly making me pull out my insurance T&C’s and triple check everything.

With my bike insurance through Laka I need to have a photo of my sold secure gold lock. I sort of understand that as they say the lock has to be to a certain level and make it easy to upload a photo to my account so it’s there if I need it. I think it’s going to be pretty common unfortunately

Is this bikes that were locked in a secure garage?

Oh dear, I think this is going to scupper a lot of people’s insurance . My cover is through my house insurance but I had to pay extra to cover the more expensive bikes only one of which was bought as a bike. The rest like most people on here, were built from bits from the spares box or second hand. I might have receipts for some frames but nothing for the rest. I must take extra care not to get stuff nicked

@iforwilliams for Laka the photo of the lock is for if it get nicked outside of your home. In a locked building at your property – home, garage etc. Is fine as far as I can tell. I just uploaded photos of my bike and lock to the Laka website under my profile. It’s all there if I need it then (and is a condition of their insurance)

Overpaying for insurance because you think you’re getting some specialist cycle cover over and above what you get with a decent contents insurance.. chucking money away.

I’m with direct line and their premium cover includes 5k in outbuildings, upto 1k per bike. Additional named cycles over 1k. No requirement for cycles to be secured inside the shed as long as the door was locked…

Not had to test them yet but when we had a leak in our bathroom, they were helpful and we’re happy to mix/match repairs by their tradesmen and cash to cover us using our own for some things.

Home insurance, bikes added as specific items.

I bought a giant anthem off ebay for my son.

Who promptly took it to university locked it up, where it was stolen.

I called the insurance company, not really expecting anything, and was completely transparent. they were very helpful, gave me new for old, based on screen print of ebay receipt and crime number.

£2250 paid same day.

Anthem cost, and receipt showed …. £500

Do you still have the key for the lock? That might have some branding on it.

Most contents cover have a value limit on bikes, usually £1000 , hence you have to pay more to cover more expensive bikes.

The rest like most people on here, were built from bits from the spares box or second hand.

This describes me too. These days, I save every bit of evidence of purchase I can – all emails or web receipts (if bought online) are printed to PDF and archived. If something is bought in-store, I use an app (Scanner Pro) on my phone to scan the receipt. Once you have the habit it stops being tedious and it’s reassuring to know you can provide evidence for everything you’ve bought. Scanning receipts at time of issue is also a good habit to get in to if you travel for work and need to claim expenses. 🙂

I’ve just bought a new bike for my eldest (Whyte) that took a couple of weeks to arrive. That’s fine when you’re an adult, but a long time when you’re 9 and excited about your new bike!

One option is to buy a lock from Halfords and get them to email the receipt

Aviva cover up to 5k a bike. We are bit under insured but not much we can do. Original pair of bikes were stolen in 2013. Replaced, stolen in 2015, replaced, stolen again in 2020. All replaced under insurance new for old. Original bikes were brought for less than a 1000 each. Last payout was capped at 5k. Got to love bike inflation, 25% per year.

That’s fine when you’re an adult,

No, no it’s not! (My adulting may need work).

The bike was stolen off the roof of the car while we were in a cafe, a couple of hundred yards away, but unfortunately out of sight. I think we we felt safer because we were in a really nice town (Stokesley) and there were lots of people about, but i guess scumbags are everywhere and few people would want to challenge some scroats stealing a bike.

We still have the key. It has branding on it, but that wasn’t good enough.

I’m not massively complaining about the insurance thing, just a bit disappointing that they stuck rigidly to their terms, with no flexibility or discretion to give the benefit of the doubt.

It turns out the lock proof of purchase was mentioned in the docs up front. It’s just frustrating that when we said we didn’t have a receipt, they then asked for details of the lock, a description, and a picture of the key, all of which we provided. They then said that that wasn’t good enough and only a receipt would do. Felt they kind of led us along a bit.

Even if we’d had the receipt, I think they’d have refused cover as our lock wasn’t on their list.

Sorry to hear about your experience. I checked out my Pedalcover policy (I know I should have done it earlier) and it is as bad as you say. I need to carry a sold secure gold lock around with me to comply.

I emailed Pedalcover and they said well you agreed to it.

Certainly not going to renew with them next year. I might even cancel it early.

Quick look at M&S insurance and they just say locked to a secure object, as did Pedalcover before they changed in 2021

Sorry to hear that op. But at least your getting a new bike.

My house insurance covers my bikes upto a grand and then any over that are named.

If left outside, they must be locked to a secure object like a lamppost or railing etc.

Makes you wonder why you would use a specialist insurance company!

You should rename this PSA don’t buy their insurance!

Taken out M&S Insurance with Aviva and all you have to do is list the value of your most expensive bike and all the others are included. None of the very stringent lock requirements that Pedalcover have. £80 cheaper as well, plus £30 M&S voucher. Going to lose a bit of money with the partial refund from Pedalcover (and cancellation fee) but worth it for the peace of mind. If I stayed with Pedalcover I would have to buy a very expensive and heavy lock so save that cost.

It does seem utterly bizarre that using a specialist cycle cover insurance policy like Pedalcover gives serious cyclists inferior cover.
Enjoy the new bike, get better insurance and I hope you have at least another 25 years without incident.

@rustynissanprairie

our insurance foxtrot’d us off because the 5lever lock on the back door of the shop (we rented) wasn’t BS approved.

I’d always understood that any breach of conditions had to be relevant. If they’d broken in through that door then , yes, an issue. But a non compliant lock irrelevant if they’d broken in through, say, a window.

We’ve a few different locks. All good quality and rarely used but over a decade old and no proof of ownership. Last time I looked in the ancient box of receipts a lot of the old shop ones (on heat sensitive paper) had faded away to blank.