FAQs

Man on bike

general

  • What bike lock do I need?
  • You must use a Sold Secure Gold rated lock or higher. A Sold Secure approved lock provides a better level of security. The higher the lock rating, the more effective it is at preventing theft.
    Gold All Bikes
    All approved Sold Secure locks should come with the Sold Secure sticker or logo on them. You can also check the Sold Secure approved lock list online to make sure you have the correct lock.
    Your bike must be locked through the frame and any quick release wheels and to a fixed, immovable object that the bicycle cannot be lifted under or over.
  • What Photographic Evidence is required to validate my policy?
  • You must provide us with photographic evidence that your bike is in good working condition and in your possession as quickly as possible after purchase of this policy.

    This can be uploaded quickly and easily to your PMB Customer Dashboard. We require this partly as one of our precautions against fraud but also because it makes any future claim easier to process and validate.

    If you do not do this the following exclusion applies:

    We will not cover any claim for theft, vandalism or accidental damage unless you have uploaded photographic evidence to the PMB Customer Dashboard that shows that the bike was in your possession and in good working order prior to the theft, vandalism or accidental damage occurring.

    We also recommend that you upload digital copies or photos of the payment receipts, invoices and confirmation emails that prove ownership of the bike, approved lock and accessories. This could include bank statements or credit card statements clearly showing the transaction with the retailer or manufacturer. If the bike was given to you as a gift you must have proof of the original payment together with evidence of transfer of ownership.
  • What value should I insure my cycle for?
  • This must be based on one of the following criteria: (all values should be in UK currency and include VAT if applicable):

    a)
    new or second-hand bicycle(s) should be insured at the price you paid, including the sum of any parts or upgrades which you purchased and which form part of your bicycle;
    b)
    for discounted bicycle(s) parts and accessories, the original undiscounted RRP at the purchase date. This discount must be visible on the purchase receipt or invoice. If you have added any upgraded parts to the bicycle, you should add that to the total price paid;
    c)
    for gifted new and second-hand bicycle(s), parts and accessories - the amount paid at the time of original purchase, keeping evidence of the original purchase receipt and the gifting. Any new parts or upgrades should be added to the total value;
    d)
    for custom builds the price you paid for the sum of all the parts, including reasonable labour costs;
    e)
    for vintage or antique bicycles, the sum shown in any valuation you provide to us, provided that such valuation is less than three years old and has been provided by a vintage cycle retailer or other suitably qualified valuation expert.

    (Please see 'How should I value my bicycle?' on page 27 of the Policy Document for further guidance on how to value your bike)
  • How can I switch my cycle insurance to Protectmybike?
  • It's very quick and easy to switch your cycle insurance to us. Just follow the steps below:
    1. Get a quote – Get a fully tailored quote from us in seconds. If you like what you see and want to switch to us then great, we’d love to have you.
    2. Inform your current cycle insurer that you want to cancel and find out when your policy with them will cease. Most insurers allow you to cancel at any point during the policy term by providing a period of notice (normally 30 days). If you have paid your premium upfront for the year, then you will normally get a pro rata refund of your remaining premium (although check with your insurers to see if there are any fees for doing this).
    3. Once you've given notice and got your quote from us then you can purchase the policy for us and you can specify the start date of your policy to commence on the expiry of your existing policy, so you don’t have any break in cover.
    You can give notice to your existing cycle insurer by either calling them or sending an email to their customer service team. If you refer to your policy documents, it will give you all the information you need on how to cancel and what their refund policy may be.
  • Can I pay monthly?
  • Yes, of course. We believe in giving you complete control and flexibility. So you can pay monthly or annually, whichever you prefer. If you do choose to pay monthly, we do not charge any additional fees or make you enter or sign a credit agreement.
  • What happens after I’ve purchased my policy?

  • Firstly, welcome! It’s great to have you and we are delighted you have chosen to insure your bike with Protectmybike.co.uk.

    To give you the best experience and full control over your policy with us, we allow you to manage everything online quickly and easily through our PMB Dashboard. Simply login using your email address and magic link that will be sent to your registered email address. The main things you may need to do are as follows:

    1. Login to the PMB Dashboard
    2. You must upload photographs of your bikes. Please note, we will not cover any claim for theft, vandalism or accidental damage unless you have uploaded photographic evidence to the PMB Customer Dashboard that shows that the bike was in your possession and in good working order prior to the theft, vandalism or accidental damage occurring.
    3. You can also upload pictures of accessories, evidence of ownership such as purchase receipts and invoices etc as this will help to expedite any future claim.
    4. If you need to lock your bike in accordance with the essential security requirements of the policy then you should also upload pictures and evidence of ownership of your lock, which must be a Sold Secure Gold Rated lock or higher.
    This will keep everything in one place for you and will help expedite any potential future claim, which means we can get you back riding as quickly as possible.
  • What is the ‘cooling off’ period and when can I cancel?

  • Cancellation and Refund Cancellation within 14 days

    You can cancel your policy and receive a full refund within the 14 days of purchase or renewal of your policy provided no claim has been made or is going to be made.

    Cancellation after 14 days

    If you wish to cancel your policy after 14 days has expired, you can do so at any time. Your cover will cease immediately from the date you instruct us to cancel your policy. It is not possible to backdate the cancellation.

    See below the refund terms for cancellations outside the initial 14 days:

    • Paying Monthly - If you pay your premium monthly and no claim has been made or is going to be made, your policy will be cancelled immediately and there will be no refund of premium due.
    • Paying Annually – If you pay your premium annually and no claim has been made or is going to be made, you will be entitled to a pro-rata refund of premium.

    To cancel your policy please go to the PMB Customer Dashboard to request your policy cancellation or contact us by email at customer@protectmybike.co.uk.

  • What information do you ask for when purchasing?
  • We try and make it as quick and painless as possible when purchasing your policy. The main information you will need to provide to us is as follows:
    1. Details of the cycle(s) you want to insure including value, make and model
    2. Your personal details including name, address and contact details
    3. We ask you to confirm you have read the policy documents and that you meet the eligibility conditions of the policy
    4. Your payment details to process your payment securely
    That’s pretty much it... It should take no longer than a few minutes to complete the process and set up your policy. If you have any questions or need any help just let us know through the online chat or by emailing us at customer@protectmybike.co.uk.
  • Am I eligible to purchase the policy?
  • In order to purchase a policy from us, you must meet the eligibility conditions of the policy which are as follows:
    • You must be aged 18 or over at the time of purchasing this insurance and have accepted and understood the Essential Security and Approved Lock requirements;
    • You must be the owner of the bicycle(s) at the time of buying this insurance and at the time of any event leading to a claim;
    • You must be resident in the United Kingdom
    • You must have no unspent criminal convictions (other than motoring offences);
    • You must understand that there is no cover under this policy for any use in connection with a profession, business or occupation (other than commuting);
    • There must be no existing accidental damage to the bicycle and accessories at the time you purchase the policy that would subsequently lead to a claim;
    • if you are insuring an electric bike (ebike) it must adhere to the relevant UK legislation and rules for ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPC’s).
  • Do you cover more than one bike on a policy?

  • Yes, the Protectmybike insurance policy covers more than one bike on a single policy. However, it is important to note that the maximum insured value in total for all bikes on a single policy cannot exceed £20,000.

    A maximum of 5 bicycles can be insured on one policy.

  • What is classed as an accessory?
  • An accessory is defined as bicycle-related equipment that is not essential to the operation of the bicycle but is owned by you and used in conjunction with the bicycle listed on the schedule. Examples of accessories include: Helmets, Shoes, Jerseys or Vests, Base Layers, Gilets, Glasses and Goggles, Jackets, Shorts, Trousers, Wetsuits, Backpacks, Helmet-mounted cycling cameras, Cycling computers, Cycling GPS units, Lights, Spare Wheels, Cycle luggage, Cycling tools, Cycling Armour Guards and Locks. You may only claim for accessories if they are stolen, vandalized or damaged at the same time as the bicycle.
  • Can I include cycle(s) owned by my family?
  • Yes, you can include any cycles owned by family members (aged over 16 years) as defined under the policy and provided they live at the same address.
  • Do I have to let you know if I change my cycle during the period of insurance?
  • Yes, we will need to know the new make and model of all bicycles you wish to insure. If there is an increase in the value of the bicycle your premium may also change. You can also update the details within your dashboard section.
  • Do you provide cover for couriers or other trade and business purposes?
  • No. The policy does not cover any claims relating to the use of the bicycle for any trade or business purposes (excluding commuting to and from a place of work), hire, reward, courier use or the carriage of paying passengers.

cover

  • Do I need ‘Race Cover’ when entering bicycle charity events or sportive?
  • No. The Race Cover is only applicable if a winner is selected during an organised event and you are participating in it. If you intend to take part in road racing, time trials or other competitive events, then Race Cover would be required. Please note that you don’t need to select this cover if you are intending to participate in sportives or charity events.
  • What does ‘Public Liability‘ cover you for?
  • We will pay up to £3 million in any one year for any claim or series of claims made against you or a member of your family from any one event or one source or original cause for which you are legally liable that occur as a result of:
    • Accidental bodily injury or death to any person, or
    • Accidental damage to third party property not belonging to you or in your custody or control, which arises from your or your family’s use or ownership of the bicycle.
    The total amount payable includes reasonable legal defence costs and expenses incurred by you or your family and agreed with our written consent. You and your family are covered for costs and expenses that are not recoverable elsewhere including other insurance policies.
  • Can I get cover to compete in races?
  • Absolutely! If you plan to take part in any competitive races such as time trials, road races, triathlons, mountain bike races, etc., then you can purchase the additional race cover. This covers your race entry fees in the event you are not able to compete due to a range of covered circumstances as outlined in the policy wording. In addition, we also cover your clothing up to £200, and theft of the bicycle whilst left unlocked or unattended in the race transition area. The only time you would not be covered is when you’re getting paid an appearance fee or salary to participate.
  • Do I need to tell you if I’m taking my cycle abroad?
  • No, however you will need to make sure you have purchased the additional Overseas Cover to your policy. You can add this on to your policy at anytime during the period of insurance through the PMB Customer Dashboard. This extends cover under the policy worldwide (excluding Cuba, Iran & North Korea) for up to 30 days or 60 days, depending on which option you select.
  • What is covered under ‘Personal Accident’?
  • If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident whilst riding your bicycle and you sustain accidental bodily injury which results in death or permanent total disablement, then we will pay you the appropriate benefit as detailed in your policy wording, based on the level of Personal Accident cover you have purchased. This can range from £2,500 to £20,000 depending on the nature of the injury and the level of cover selected.
  • What does the ‘Replacement Bicycle Hire cover?
  • In the event your bicycle is stolen or damaged and cannot be used, we will pay for the reasonable cost of the hire of an alternative bicycle. The bicycle must be hired from a recognised and reputable bicycle dealer for the period that you are awaiting repair or replacement of your bicycle, which is the subject of a claim under the policy.

claims

  • How do you settle claims?
  • Firstly, we try and make all claims as simple and as stress free as possible. Our experienced claims handlers will work closely with you to get you back riding as quickly as possible. In the event of accidental damage or theft of your bike, then there are typically three ways in which we can settle a claim:

    In the event of accidental damage or theft of your bike then there are typically three ways in which we can settle a claim:
    • Repair - If there is damage to your bike, which is repairable, then we will arrange for the bike to be repaired by our specialist repairers. In that instance, we will arrange to collect your bike and will deliver it back to you when its fixed.
    • Replacement - If we need to replace your bike (when it is stolen or damaged beyond economic repair), then we will replace it with an equivalent one that matches the specification of your original bike as closely as possible, up to the value of the sum insured. Typically, our claims handler will send you various replacement options that you can review and consider, making sure you are happy with the specification of your replacement bike. We maintain an extensive database of all bikes, makes and models and components so that we can identify an appropriate replacement quickly.
    • Cash or voucher - We offer you a cash settlement that is normally provided in the form of a voucher, that can be redeemed at various retailers for you to select the bike you want, or we may even offer you a cash settlement, so that you can go to your local retailer.
  • How much is the excess?
  • Section
    Cover
    Excess
    1
    Bike Cover
    £50 or 5% of claim value whichever is greater.
    2
    Personal Accident
    Nil
    3
    Public Liability
    £50 or 5% of claim value whichever is greater.
    4
    Racing & Competitions
    £50 or 5% of claim value whichever is greater.
    5
    Replacement Bicycle Hire
    Nil
    6
    Overseas Cover
    As Above
    The excess is payable per claim
  • How do I make a claim?
  • To make a claim visit our Claims page for further information or log into your PMB Customer Dashboard. We endeavour to deal with all claims as quickly and easily as possible.
  • What evidence of ownership is required?
  • This can include items such the original purchase receipt, invoice or other evidence which clearly demonstrates ownership. This may include, but is not limited to, bank and credit card statements, dealer valuation, etc. The evidence should clearly show date, price paid and details of the cycle, accessories and approved lock.
  • What Photographic Evidence is required?
  • You must provide us with photographic evidence that your bike is in good working condition and in your possession as quickly as possible after purchase of this policy.

    This can be uploaded quickly and easily to your PMB Customer Dashboard. We require this partly as one of our precautions against fraud but also because it makes any future claim easier to process and validate.

    If you do not do this the following exclusion applies:

    We will not cover any claim for theft, vandalism or accidental damage unless you have uploaded photographic evidence to the PMB Customer Dashboard that shows that the bike was in your possession and in good working order prior to the theft, vandalism or accidental damage occurring.

    We also recommend that you upload digital copies or photos of the payment receipts, invoices and confirmation emails that prove ownership of the bike, approved lock and accessories. This could include bank statements or credit card statements clearly showing the transaction with the retailer or manufacturer. If the bike was given to you as a gift you must have proof of the original payment together with evidence of transfer of ownership.

renewal

  • My policy is due for renewal. What do I need to do?
  • Renewing your policy is quick and easy. If you have not opted out of auto-renewal, then your policy will automatically renew on your renewal date. You will receive a renewal invitation 1 month before your renewal date showing your new annual premium and the terms and conditions. It will also show you if there have been any changes to the premium. You can then fully manage your renewal online by logging in to the PMB Customer Dashboard. You can either accept your renewal, decline your renewal or make changes to your renewal quote. If you do nothing, and you have not opted out of auto renewal, then your policy will automatically renew on the renewal date as per the policy terms and conditions. So, if for any reason you choose not to renew, then you must either decline the renewal invitation and/or opt out of auto-renewal. We will use the existing payment details we have on file to process your renewal. If you pay monthly, then your premium will continue to be paid monthly. If you pay annually, then we will take the full annual payment due on the renewal date. You can also amend your payment preferences and payment details quickly and easily online through the PMB Customer Dashboard. If you have any questions or need any assistance with your renewal, then please contact our customer service team at customer@protectmybike.co.uk and we will be happy to help. After your policy renews, you have 14 days when you can cancel it for no fee. Providing no claims have been made or are pending, we will return your payment in full. Please refer to the policy document for cancellation terms outside the initial 14 days.
  • How do I opt-out of auto-renewal?
  • As per the policy terms and conditions, all policies are set up on an auto renewal basis, meaning we will automatically renew your policy each year. However, you can opt out of auto renewal at any point. Simply log into the PMB Customer Dashboard to manage your auto renewal preferences. Alternatively, you can also contact us at customer@protectmybike.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

bike theft insurance

  • Does regular bike insurance cover theft?
  • Yes. Check out our home page to find out more about our comprehensive bicycle insurance.
  • What might void bicycle theft insurance in my claim?

  • The most common factors that might void a claim include theft of your bicycle if you’ve not secured it properly with an appropriate bike lock, and any loss or theft where you cannot prove that you actually owned the bike in the first place.

    Make sure to read our policy documents here here carefully so that you know what is required.

  • Doesn’t my Home Contents Insurance policy already provide cover for bike theft?

  • There’s a chance your bike might already have some degree of protection against theft in your home contents insurance. But most content policies do not cover expensive bicycles, nor do they provide protection if you take your bicycle out or away from the home.

    In fact, in the majority of cases, your home contents will only offer protection if your bicycle was stolen after your home (or shed or garage) is broken into. Make sure to check the details of your home insurance policy document to see exactly what is and isn’t covered.

multi bike insurance

  • How many bikes can I insure on my policy?

  • You may cover up to 5 bikes that belong to you or family members at the same household, so long as they are all specified on the multi bicycle insurance policy you take out.

    Plus, we offer a multi-bike discount of 25% off your total bike premium. Please note the maximum combined value of all bikes under one policy cannot exceed £20,000.

  • Can I add children to my multi-bicycle policy?
  • Yes, you can add children to your multi-bicycle policy. The policy states that you and family members with whom you live are covered. This includes your children, as long as they permanently reside in your home and are over 16 years of age.
  • Can I add another bicycle to my policy if I already have cycle insurance?
  • Yes. If you already have cycle insurance for a singular bicycle, you can certainly add more at a later date. But this may incur a small administration fee or a change to your premium. Contact us if you have any questions, so that we can discuss your case individually.

cycling abroad

personal accident

public liability

  • Do you need Public Liability insurance for cycling?
  • You do not need Public Liability insurance for cycling, however Public Liability insurance can be essential for cyclists as accidents can, and do, happen, leaving the cyclist potentially liable for any resulting injuries or damages. Public Liability insurance covers legal costs, compensation and other expenses that may arise from the incident.
  • How easy is it to add Public Liability as an add-on to my policy?
  • You can easily add Public Liability cover to your policy during the online purchase process. Or give us a call, and we’ll get it sorted for you.