Although it's not a legal requirement, bicycle insurance is a type of cover that protects your bicycle if it gets stolen or damaged. In 2024, over 59,920 bicycles were reported stolen in England and Wales, that's around 1 bike stolen every 9 minutes.
We look at whether your contents insurance covers your bicycle and how much a separate bicycle insurance policy costs. Here's everything you need to know about bicycle insurance.
What is bicycle insurance?
Bicycle insurance is designed to protect you from the risks that come with owning and riding a bike. It can step in where standard contents insurance falls short, giving cover that's tailored to cyclists whether you're out commuting, training or just riding for fun.
How does bicycle insurance work?
Bicycle insurance works much like other types of cover. You choose a policy, pay your premium and if something happens to your bike, you can make a claim.
Policies can be short-term, yearly or even longer depending on what you need.
It's designed to help if your bike is stolen, damaged or involved in an accident. Depending on the policy, it can also include extras, such as public liability or cover while riding abroad. And that's just the start - we'll look at the different ways bicycle insurance can help in more detail later.
Why do I need it?
Bicycle insurance can step in where contents insurance stops. While contents cover may protect your bike at home, it usually won't help if it's stolen on the street, damaged in an accident or if you're held liable for injuring someone while riding.
Having a dedicated policy can mean you're not left covering those costs yourself.
What does bicycle insurance cover?
What's included will vary by insurer, but most bicycle policies can protect you against the big risks:
- Theft - helps cover the cost of a replacement bike if yours is stolen.
- Accidental damage - can pay for repairs if your bike is damaged in a crash or mishap.
- Malicious damage - if someone vandalises your bike, it can cover repairs or even a replacement.
On top of that, you can often add extra cover, such as:
- Public liability - if you injure someone or damage their property while riding.
- Personal accident cover - financial protection if you suffer a serious injury.
- Roadside recovery or replacement bike hire - to get you moving again if you're stranded mid-ride.
- Legal expenses, race fee reimbursement or cycle rescue services.
- Cover for riding abroad, in Europe or further afield.
Some specialist insurers also waive the excess on certain claims, helping you keep more money in your pocket.
Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents?
Home contents cover usually focuses on theft or damage to your bike while it's at home, but it rarely extends to injuries you might suffer in an accident.
That means your bike itself may be covered under contents, but things like medical costs or liability if you injure someone else generally won't be. For that kind of protection, you'd need a specialist bicycle insurance policy.
What isn’t covered by bicycle insurance?
There are a few situations you might not be covered, including:
- If your bicycle is stolen but wasn't secured properly
- If you cannot prove you own the bicycle
- If you're using the bicycle for business purposes other than commuting to and from work
- If you're riding in a competitive event, unless you've paid to add this to your policy
- If you're using your bike outside of the UK, unless you’ve paid for European or worldwide cover (sometimes this is included as standard though!)
You should check your policy wording to find out exactly what’s excluded as this might vary between insurers.
What information do I need to insure my bicycle?
To get a quote for specialist bicycle insurance, your insurer may ask you for details of the following:
- Your age
- Your address
- The value of your bicycle
- The make and model of your bicycle
- Whether your bicycle has any modifications
How much is bicycle cover?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of bicycle insurance depends on you and your bike. Insurers look at things like the make and model of your bike, how many bikes you want to cover, where you live and even your claims history.
The pricier your bike and the higher the risk, the more you'll likely pay. A top-end road bike kept on the street in a busy city will usually cost more to insure than a modest model stored securely at home.
What really matters is checking what's included. Some policies only cover the basics like theft, while others throw in extras such as accidental damage or public liability. Compare carefully so you're not paying for cover you don't need - or missing out on protection you do.
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