Is Your Bicycle Covered During Your Commute?

Everything Commuters Should Know About Insuring Their Bicycle

If you’ve recently made the choice to switch your work commute from car or public transport to cycling, well done! You’re not alone.

It’s no secret that the pandemic has caused cycling levels to skyrocket across the country. When gyms shut down and public transport was suspended, cycling became a lifeline to both a form of outdoor recreation and safer commuting.

In 2020, 7.5 million people in England reported cycling for sport, leisure, or commuting, compared to 5 million in 2016. E-bikes also saw an increase in demand in 2020, taking over 23% of the market share of bikes sold, with even more people expected to purchase e-bikes in 2021.

Why Commuters Love Cycling

When you ride your bike to and from work, we know from experience that you’re always energised when you reach the other side.

Whether it’s a groggy Monday morning where your ride puts a spring in your step, or a bad day at the office that you leave behind as soon as you hop on your bike, cycling to work makes you happier and healthier - and science proves it.

Many people in the UK seem to agree.

In 2021, 33% of Brits reported cycling at least once in the past 12 months, and over 40% own or have access to a bicycle.

Here are some of the reasons why commuters are switching to cycling:

• It makes them healthier and happier
• It’s an easy way to get extra exercise every day
• Depending on your city’s traffic, it could get you to work faster
• You get to explore more of your neighborhood and city
• It’s great for the environment
• It can save you a lot of cash
• You can get a bike tax-free through the Cycle to Work scheme

Why You Should Consider Insuring Your Bicycle

During the 2020 lockdown, it looked like the number of bike thefts was decreasing.

In April 2020, thefts had dropped by an incredible 39.5% but with lockdown restrictions eased and demand for bikes soaring, the numbers seem to be going up again. In September 2020, the Metropolitan Police reported that there was a 50% increase in bike thefts in London compared to the same period in 2019.

The demand for bicycles has also pushed up the price of new bikes, bringing the average price to £365 in September 2020, from £285 in April 2020.

If you’ve spent £300 or more on your bicycle, you’ll want to ensure that it’s covered, not only against theft, but also for accidental damage that could impact your bicycle’s mechanics and leave you without a ride to work.

Specialist bike insurance from Sundays covers your bike against many of the dangers it’ll face outside of the home, such as theft, accidental damage, and malicious damage.

Because the policy is designed specifically for cyclists, you can also choose to add optional coverages like racing cover and worldwide cover.

Specialist Bicycle Insurance vs. Home & Contents Insurance

You might be thinking, “Surely I can cover my bicycle under my home & contents insurance policy - isn’t that enough?”

Not quite. Well, maybe if you only plan to ride your bike around the house.

If you choose to cover your bike with homeowners and renters insurance, it’s unlikely that the cover will extend to your morning commute or the time that your bike is locked in a bicycle parking rack.

Protect Yourself With Cyclist Insurance

Having your bike stolen or damaged can be costly, inconvenient, or downright traumatic, which is why bicycle insurance was invented. However, this could be nothing compared to the cost of damages caused to or by you as a cyclist.

In a recent court case, a cyclist was forced to pay a £30,000 settlement after hitting a pedestrian who was on her phone, along with damages of £4,300 and his own costs of over £25,000 - even though the judge ruled that both parties were equally to blame.

While cyclist insurance isn’t a legal requirement, it is beneficial to every cyclist who has it as they will be covered in the event they cause claimable damage to a third party.

For just £2 per month, our cyclist insurance policy covers you up to £2 million for public liability claims made against you as a result of damage or injury you cause while cycling on a bicycle, up to £10,000 for personal accident cover (in the event of death or permanent injury while cycling), and up to £300 for emergency medical care.

If you partake in races or events, you can also add racing cover to your cyclist insurance policy for only £0.5 per month.

What Sundays Covers

Theft From and Away From Your Home

We cover theft from and away from your home. If your insured bicycle was purchased new, less than three years before your theft claim, we’ll either replace your bicycle with a shiny new one or pay you the replacement cost up to your sum insured.

Accidental Damage to Your Bicycle

Whether it's a commuter crash or a coffee stop tumble, we will help get you back on your bike by either repairing your bicycle or by replacing the damaged parts.

Transporting Your Bicycle on a Bicycle Rack

If you live in a city where you can’t completely swap your car for cycling, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself needing to transport your bicycle on a bike rack.

If you regularly transport your bike on your roof, statistics show that there is a very good chance that some day, you’ll forget it’s there and try to drive into your garage.

As cyclists ourselves, we know that things happen and we’ve got your bicycle covered while you transport it on your car.

Why Choose Sundays Bicycle Cover?

Monthly Premiums

Insurance premiums are usually calculated annually and divided by 12 to give you your monthly premium. Many specialist bicycle insurers require that you pay a portion of the annual amount upfront, but we don’t.

Enjoy simple monthly payments with no upfront or minimum premium*. Plus, you can cancel your cover at any time without penalties.

Personalised Policies

We draw from 13+ years of cycling insurance data to offer customizable coverage for serious and casual cyclists alike.

Personal service

Despite our global footprint, our close-knit vibe ensures you always feel like part of our Sundays Insurance cyclist family.

14-Day cooling-off period

Try our policy for 14 days and get your money back if you cancel within 14 days and did not claim. No questions asked, no penalties.

Want to see how much it’ll cost to cover your bicycle? Get an online quote in minutes.

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