Home insurance provider insist I have ebike cover

[Simon Robinson]

Hi

i have just purchased an e-bike and thought as it is brand new that I would get it insured for theft.

I emailed my home insurance provider PolicyExpert to ask what cover I had and needed.

They replied saying that they do not cover e-bikes as they are non standard household items. (begs the question as to when they will)

I was then told that they have to ensure that I have adequate cover so I have to provide them a copy of my e-bike insurance certificate in order that my current Home insurance policy can continue. They said that they had to ensure I had suitable liability cover in case someone is injured on my property.

I contacted them as they do not state in the policy that I have to inform them of cover or indeed must have cover in order for the policy to be valid... The response was somewhat nonsense as they said that they cannot put all elements onto the policy document as it would be too long..

So the summary is that they are not able to provide me cover but because I asked for a quote for cover they are insisting I must have cover as they define an eBike and a mechanically powered vehicle. Lawnmowers are fine by the way...

Does anyone have experience of this and what home insurance companies would you recommend as I am considering switching out of principle.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Hi

i have just purchased an e-bike and thought as it is brand new that I would get it insured for theft.

I emailed my home insurance provider PolicyExpert to ask what cover I had and needed.

They replied saying that they do not cover e-bikes as they are non standard household items. (begs the question as to when they will)

I was then told that they have to ensure that I have adequate cover so I have to provide them a copy of my e-bike insurance certificate in order that my current Home insurance policy can continue. They said that they had to ensure I had suitable liability cover in case someone is injured on my property.

I contacted them as they do not state in the policy that I have to inform them of cover or indeed must have cover in order for the policy to be valid... The response was somewhat nonsense as they said that they cannot put all elements onto the policy document as it would be too long..

So the summary is that they are not able to provide me cover but because I asked for a quote for cover they are insisting I must have cover as they define an eBike and a mechanically powered vehicle. Lawnmowers are fine by the way...

Does anyone have experience of this and what home insurance companies would you recommend as I am considering switching out of principle.

You need a new insurance company, period! This isn't a question of principle but a question of competence. A UK member will be able to point you to a UK insurance firm that does their job correctly.

Here in the EU I had no problem insuring my home built pedelec ("please keep the invoices for the kit you have added to your normal bike") and am insured "everywhere" not just at home for 17.60 € a year - two bikes and declared value of 4,500 €.

 

[MikeS]

LV cover me for an ebike worth £1500 on my household policy and I checked with them that this not only includes theft when it's away from home but also 3rd party liability. Looks like they increased my premium by about £5 per year.
Mike

 

[danielrlee]

Same story as MikeS above with Zurich home insurance. £1500 cover included with main insurance at no extra cost. Also covers theft away from home.

 

[KirstinS]

Same story as MikeS above with Zurich home insurance. £1500 cover included with main insurance at no extra cost. Also covers theft away from home.

I have m and s insurance (a white labelling and under written by one of the big boys, might be Zurich )

Same deal 1500 at home or away and no extra cost.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gubbins]

I think your insurance company is confusing a UK legal Pedelec that only gives assistance when actually being pedalled with an electric motorcycle/Moped that has a throttle and needs to be insured in its own right to be used on the road.
Morethan will insure an e-bike up to 4.5K (or so they told me when I last asked)

 

[mike killay]

My experience of dealing with Insurance companies is that the employees are driven by the rule book, often written by clueless idiots.
When I was administrating my fathers estate, I sent a copy of the probate, which is an order from the high court to render monies etc. to the executor.
The Insurance company wanted a certified copy of the death certificate and the will.
Now a probate order contains a copy of the will and since you cannot obtain probate on a living person, the death certificate is redundant.
But do you think that I could get the lead brains at the insurance company to understand this?
Their rule book said.......................etc.
I threatened to report them for contempt of court, but to no avail,
I think that this is what you are up against.
Change Insurance companies.

 

[stumpy150]

your insurance co is talking out of its arse !!! I had the same problem with Aviva....They insisted my ebikes were mechanically propelled vehicles and required special insurance ...I sent the definition of an mechanically propelled vehicle and an electrically assisted pedal cycle....I was contacted by someone in customer services who was obviously old enough to go out after 7pm and he finally agreed that aviva had made a mistake as ''these things were new to them'' ( in 2015 ) So stick to your guns and demand to speak with someone who knows what they are talking about,

 

[Fat Rat]

You need to tell them it’s a pedelec and tell them what it means
It’s a human powered bicycle with a small motor assist
Tell them the hint is in the name
It’s not an ebike as this is where a lot of uneducated confusion comes from people who don’t know
And as for them demanding you get it insured or they will stop your house policy I’ve never heard such crap and I suggest as others have you tell them to stick it and find a professional and competent company instead.

 

[Gubbins]

your insurance co is talking out of its arse !!! I had the same problem with Aviva....They insisted my ebikes were mechanically propelled vehicles and required special insurance ...I sent the definition of an mechanically propelled vehicle and an electrically assisted pedal cycle....I was contacted by someone in customer services who was obviously old enough to go out after 7pm and he finally agreed that aviva had made a mistake as ''these things were new to them'' ( in 2015 ) So stick to your guns and demand to speak with someone who knows what they are talking about,

once you start down a road like this you run the risk of giving them wriggle room during a claim. Any nsurance company that need to be convinced that they aew wrong in any way shape of form need to be given a very wide berth.

 

[Phil Dryden]

Hi,
Last month I renewed my house insurance with Aviva, and having bought a pedelec in June I asked how much to include it on the house insurance - £15 per year. £2100 cover provided at home and away from home. Bike only has to be kept in a locked building (includes shed or garage), and additional chaining to a ground anchor not required. Sensible locking procedure if in the open away from home, but I never let it out of my sight anyway. I'm well happy.

 

[J.B.]

Hi,
Last month I renewed my house insurance with Aviva, and having bought a pedelec in June I asked how much to include it on the house insurance - £15 per year. £2100 cover provided at home and away from home. Bike only has to be kept in a locked building (includes shed or garage), and additional chaining to a ground anchor not required. Sensible locking procedure if in the open away from home, but I never let it out of my sight anyway. I'm well happy.

Excellent cover. I will note it for my renewal.
I am using TSB bike only insurance. I never asked them about my pedelec. £28 for any of my bikes no need to name them, up to £3500 which covers my non pedelec bike. Anywhere in the world. Locks not specified but must be locked to an immovable object away from home.
Note is a bike a pedelec when you take the battery off?

Reference your insurance company Simon Robinson, there retarded.

 

[Deleted member 128]

I recently asked my home contents insurance provider, Admiral, about insuring an expensive ebike, they investigated and phoned back to say that their underwriters wouldn't insure an ebike worth over £2500. They suggested I contact a more specialised insurer and there was no mention of me having to provide Admiral with details of that cover.
I was very happy with their response, the £2500 limit on ebikes seems fairly common with home contents policies.
I suggest you switch insurers.

 

[stumpy150]

I have just taken delivery of a 2019 S-works Venge Disc...Costs a hell of a lot more than an ebike and my current insurance co just put it on as a high value item with no extra cost to my premium..So long as its locked to an immobile object when left ( that will never happen --- will always be in my eye sight or next to me at all times when out and about ) and locked in a brick or stone built garage when not used..again that will not happen as its in our spare bedroom much to the annoyance of my good lady wife

The insurance co' didnt bat an eyelid over value etc yet with our ebikes they again had to seek clarification with their underwriters as to the definition of an ebike....I think its just down to education of the insurance staff and to how much knowledge they have of the subject/product...

 

[Gubbins]

Another thing to be wary of. A new insurer will ask if you have ever had insurance refused or had special conditions imposed.
I was once run off the road in my car which resulted in a ripped tyre but no other damage. Alas my car didn't have a spare so was stranded on a Sunday evening. Police weren't interested so I gave reg details to insurance company hoping I could get his address. They refused but from that point on an accident was on my history and had to declare it for the next 3 years.