Insurance and Electric Bikes
In the process of thinking about buying a couple of electric bikes. They won't be mega expensive but still a lot more than a couple of push bikes. If we decide on them they will have to be stored and travel on our Fiamma bike rack. What I would like to know
is where do we stand insurance wise. Should they be insured under our normal household policy or the motorhome policy if this is allowed. Even if insured will the be covered left on the bike rack. Obviously they will be fully secured in terms of locks etc.
Any help and advice would be appreciated especially things I might not have thought about.
David
Comments
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Hi David, as a mountain bike enthusiast ( spent a small fortune on my bike ) I always take my bike away with me, I have my bike covered on my home insurance, this is covered on contents away from home ( make of bike stated on policy ) I think this is the
best way to go, hope this helps........ Barry0 -
David, we carry our ebikes on the Fiamma, we always put a good lock on them and cover them up with a Fiamma cover. Once on site we lock them to the PWS tow bar, they are covered under our house policy (added as ebikes) part of the insurance demands that
they be 'secured to an immoverable object' sometimes we use a handy tree
last year as we were going to Spain we also took out a third party insurance
for them aswell, not sure if we will bother again though.0 -
....as above, added to home insurance.
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Insurance is expensive because the system is very inefficient. I only insure what I am legally obliged to, or against something that would be a veritable disaster if it occurred. You can live without, or replace, a bicycle (jewelry, camera, laptop, …) so
that’s not something I insure. You can make bikes less attractive to theft by removing the saddle. Secure them overtly and don’t clean them, to make them as unattractive as possible to a potential thief.0 -
Insurance is expensive because the system is very inefficient. I only insure what I am legally obliged to, or against something that would be a veritable disaster if it occurred. You can live without, or replace, a bicycle (jewelry, camera, laptop, …) so
that’s not something I insure. You can make bikes less attractive to theft by removing the saddle. Secure them overtly and don’t clean them, to make them as unattractive as possible to a potential thief.You need insurance against third party risks. If you knock a pedestrian down could you afford the claim? Do not risk the loss you might just be talking six figures.
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It’d only be six figures if I hit the wrong pedestrian. As I’m not in the habit of doing that (although we did run over an errant dog riding a tandem once) I don’t see that as a risk. I don’t think ‘normal’ bike insurance covers third party, anyway.
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I wouldn't see that as a likely risk either. How often do you come across dogs riding tandems?
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It’d only be six figures if I hit the wrong pedestrian. As I’m not in the habit of doing that (although we did run over an errant dog riding a tandem once) I don’t see that as a risk. I don’t think ‘normal’ bike insurance covers third party, anyway.
Having been involved in insurance claims all my working life I can assure you that you are wrong. You can never be sure what will happen and even defending an unsuccesful claim can run into tens of thousands.
If you add bicycle insurance to your household policy you should get the cover and you might even have it without adding them. I would check as getting it wrong is just too serious to be that complacent.
You would be surprised at the number of people who think it will never happen to them and it does.
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I can see all this simply leading to funding the lives of a lot of people in an unnecessary industry (ambulance chasers, legal services, insurance). A common ploy of insurance companies is to dress up the consequences of an unlikely event then offer what
appears to be an affordable way to alleviate it.If I maim a pedestrian while on my bike, we’ll both be unlucky.
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I can see all this simply leading to funding the lives of a lot of people in an unnecessary industry (ambulance chasers, legal services, insurance). A common ploy of insurance companies is to dress up the consequences of an unlikely event then offer what
appears to be an affordable way to alleviate it.If I maim a pedestrian while on my bike, we’ll both be unlucky.
I agree ambulance chasers are unneccessary, I regard most of them as unethical leeches. Legal services and insurance are vital services and I just hope you do not have an accident and learn a lesson the hard way.
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As others we have our bikes coverered with the home insurance. Bikes are listed on the insurance and we use two gold rated locks when they are stored on the motorhome bike rack.
...not sure which type of bike rack you have but for all those who 'secure' their bikes to a Fiamma Rack.....it is lightweight aluminium pipework and can probably be cut through with a Poundland hacksaw...
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Risk is a combination of consequence and likelihood. A serious risk is only one with severe consequences if there is also a reasonable chance of it happening. Those selling insurance often cite extreme examples to persuade punters to take out a policy but
fail to disclose the probability.Murphy reminds us that if something can happen then, sooner or later, it will. Sod jests that when something happens it will do so in the most perverse way possible. So, if you believe in Sod, you may need insurance to get a good night’s rest.
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Risk is a combination of consequence and likelihood. A serious risk is only one with severe consequences if there is also a reasonable chance of it happening. Those selling insurance often cite extreme examples to persuade punters to take out a policy but
fail to disclose the probability.Murphy reminds us that if something can happen then, sooner or later, it will. Sod jests that when something happens it will do so in the most perverse way possible. So, if you believe in Sod, you may need insurance to get a good night’s rest.
I have never sold insurance, I sorted out the mess when things went wrong. The high value claim is unlikely to be you but it just might be. The whole point is you pay a fairly modest amount for the cover and the unlucky one gets bailed out.
If you feel the risk is not worth the premium that is your decision amd you will probably be right, but if that 1,000 to one risk hits you, you will understand what I am saying.
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Insurance is expensive because the system is very inefficient. I only insure what I am legally obliged to, or against something that would be a veritable disaster if it occurred. You can live without, or replace, a bicycle (jewelry, camera, laptop, …) so
that’s not something I insure. You can make bikes less attractive to theft by removing the saddle. Secure them overtly and don’t clean them, to make them as unattractive as possible to a potential thief.You need insurance against third party risks. If you knock a pedestrian down could you afford the claim? Do not risk the loss you might just be talking six figures.
although this thread is more about insurance from a 'theft' perspective (OP and others taking their bike with them on holiday.....) i wonder how many bike riders at home (poss not even vanners....) insure 'any old bike' against the risk you mention above...
most that have a bike thats worth little, wont be insuring them against 3rd party risks, im sure....so, this begs the question, why do it just because the bike might be worth more....?
ok, if 3rd party risks are included even if you insure from a 'theft/loss' perspective, then great....but im sure most wont be doing it the other way round....despite (as you say) the potential loss being much higher thwn the cost of a bike.....
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In the case of electric bikes, especially those with a trigger/throttle control, you are starting to overlap ‘moped territory’ and may become required to have third party cover by law. That would be a decided nuisance for only occasional use each year.
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as long as the motor is 250w or less, the speec os restricted (assistence wise) to 25kph and the bike is 'pedal assist' propelled (no throttle only propulsion) then you are definitely not in moped territory.....
however, some pedal assist bikes these days can do up to 40kph assisted and have motors with 350w.....these are in moped territory......and are terrific fun!
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OH has had her Ebike for nearly four years and things move on in technology...eg.range and performance....so, found ourselves testing a pair of the latest Kalkhoff bikes in Shoreham.....truly wonderful pieces of machinery....
torque on the latest model is 80nm.....
...by comparison, my Bosch is 60nm (and that is quick) and our Fiat 500 has 100 nm (and that isnt!
)advertised range (ideal conditions
......) now 205km with latest 612wh battery......Bosch battery 400wh...120km.as we walked in, a couple left with two new Kalkhoffs and proceeded to load them onto the rear of their AutoTrail MH
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We bought two Swiss Flyer e-bikes last March and had to insure them because of the cost, £5,000. Our Halifax home insurance would not cover them. In fact, because of their value, it was a nightmare to find someone to insure. That is one of the
downsides of choosing a good bike. They are very expensive to insure and as ours is ready to renew next month we are giving it a lot of thought. They cost more than our 2 yr old caravan to insure! We use ETA which has a good web site for advice. Oh,
I forgot to mention, our insurance covers breakdowns incl punctures throughout Europe.BillC
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Hi David, I think you must ensure you know what type you are buying as said above some are not classed as pedal assist & require full spec insurance etc. as a moped for continental use. Also the weight is very important and together they may exceed
the weight limit for your carrier. I see some removing the heavy batteries to ensure they weigh less. I think the best bet is via your home contents insurance and then they will be covered all the time everywhere. I had a ride on one last year and it was so
fast I did not like it and did not feel in control but guess that would come with time. Regards, Roy0 -
Thanks everyone for your input, looks like House Contents is the answer.
Roy, I tried two types of electric bikes. Once in Germany a Dutch lady allowed me to have a go on hers which was fine but like a lot of the Dutch bikes very big and heavy. Last week we went up to Northampton to look at the Pro-Riders which given the price seemed very good value. As you say it is a bit strange when they zoom off on power only but don't forget the brakes have micro switches in them that immediately cuts the power. I am sure its a bit trail and error. The trouble is when seeking advice you get a lot of recommendations in the £1500 to £3000 range but that is way outside the money we want to spend as we simply won't use them for all day rides and in the main they will be used for exploring the immmediate area around a campsite so I don't need one built like a Sherman Tank as lovely as they are. The more expensive bikes also seem to be the heaviest which might then bring into question whether we can lift them on the the bike rack. I know there are tow ball racks but I don't have a towbar as I don't have a need for one. Decisions, decisions!!!
David
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David, one option might be used bikes....
like in many walks of life, some folk must have the latest stuff, and they sell perfectly good, low use/mileage kit in order to get the latest....look at kids with their phones....
many electric bike shops dont take in part exchanges (as the tech is 'out of date') so they are sold on ebay etc....
however, 50cycles bike shop (they have four stores and are to the fore in electric bike sales) offer a facility where customers can put their bikes on a 'shop approved' website.
all funds go onto the new bike.....
if i was looking for an ebike and didnt want to spend a fortune, id be looking at someone elses 'last years model' at a knock down price over a new low spec item....
might be worth a look....i might have my wifes on there when we get back later this week
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Just insured my new Pro rider bike with my house insurance at no extra cost - BUT - and its a big but they do not insure for third party events. I will now have to look to see if I have any other insurance which covers me for this. Anyone else come across
this problem?0 -
Some of these electric bikes are eyewateringly expensive. Mine is a Miranda Sports Mountain Bike with a Bafang Kit fitted. I did change the rear wheel hub to give 21 speed because the Bafang kit is a single drive front sprocket. You can adapt one without
the extra gears for around £650. This is the kit and battery. Drives the pedals so you still get your gears on the back. Took me a couple of hours to fit.0 -
DK we have Pro Rider folding bikes, had them for 2 years very pleased with them, not heavy to lift 18kg with battery15kg without, the Fiamma (same as yours) will carry up to 60kg so no problem there. Until you get used to them my advice would be start off in the lowest speed and the highest gear, don't bother with the throttle, infact the only time that we do use the throttle is if we have to push off on a hill. The lowest speed is the one we use most of the time, any faster and you miss the wonderful sights your out there to enjoy
if we are feeling very lazy we flick it up to the next speed when going up a hill instead of dropping a gear
our last ebikes we full ones (heavy) but they cost the same amount and they lasted 8 years with us and now the kids have them. If our new bikes last as long then we will be very happy. 0 -
Just insured my new Pro rider bike with my house insurance at no extra cost - BUT - and its a big but they do not insure for third party events. I will now have to look to see if I have any other insurance which covers me for this. Anyone else come across
this problem?All I can suggest is that at renewal you change insurer. Cycle insurance is not something I have ever dealt with but you could try a Google search.
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Biggarmac and Tammygirl what models do you have, is it the Wayfarer? We tried that one on our visit to them and looked at the larger models but was a bit concerned about the weight and size.
David
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I'm more than a bit concerned that it seems acceptable to have folk whizzing around our Club's sites on powered machinery with no insurance to cover the inevitable. I now see the wisdom in the notices on some parts of some sites, but surely it should apply
across the whole of all sites. It will be no less painful or disabling to be struck by a powered bicycle machine away from the toilet block.0 -
...or, indeed, a mobility scooter....
i wonder how many of our 'assisted' riders have 3rd party liabilty insurance?
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