Cyclists should look to insurance

by Gill Montia

Story link: Cyclists should look to insurance

According to Cycleguard, the online specialist in insurance for cyclists and their equipment, 40% of those on two wheels rather than four are leaving themselves exposed to risk.

The British Crime Survey shows that reported bicycle thefts have reached almost 560,000 so far this year.

At the same time, when taking to the roads to commute to work for example, cyclists are liable for damages to third parties and face the same responsibilities as motorists.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to theft and accident but it is in the area of third party liability that claims are increasing.

The Cycleguard survey found that only nine per cent of cyclists have specialist bicycle insurance and 50% rely on their home contents insurance to provide cover for their bikes.

Of the remainder, 29% of cyclists surveyed were not currently covered but did think that they should get insurance, and 12% could see no point in buying bike insurance.

Cycleguard recommends that cyclists relying on home contents insurance should contact their providers to make sure bicycles are included on the policy in a way that provides all the cover they need.