Does Home and Contents Insurance Cover E-bike Theft?
Figuring out how your electric bicycle fits into your Home and Contents insurance policy can be a puzzle that’s difficult to piece together. In some cases, e-bikes aren’t covered by standard home and contents insurance which could leave you on the hook in the case of theft or damage.
If you’re unlucky enough to experience bike theft, can home and contents insurance help you out? The short answer: it depends. While different home and contents policies have different cover limitations, bicycle-specific insurance is designed to cover most of these scenarios. If your e-bike gets stolen, having the appropriate cover can make that terrible day a whole lot better.
What is home and contents insurance?
In general, home and contents insurance protects the personal property in a rented residence like an apartment from unexpected events like theft, fire, or damage from storms. If your possessions are damaged or stolen, your insurance may compensate you.
Is e-bike theft covered by renters insurance?
Depending on the policy, bike theft may or may not be covered by home and contents insurance. Theft is typically a listed peril in nearly all policies so odds are that any stolen personal property at home, such as a bicycle, is covered. However, there are important caveats.
Home and contents insurance is normally limited to the place of residence so if the theft occurs away from home, it’s probably not covered. Policy owners may also only be compensated for a smaller portion of the item’s cost if it’s not fully included in the cover. Special sports equipment or expensive items such as electric bikes can easily fall outside the cover of basic home and contents insurance policies.
Even if your policy specifies cover for bicycles or motorised vehicles, some providers place e-bikes in a gray zone that misses out on cover. Traditional insurance can take a long time to catch up with modern trends and technology such as the popularity of e-bikes in recent years. Discovering that your e-bike isn't covered after a theft can be a nasty surprise.
“Many of you will have a home and content insurance policy but it is worth checking your policy wording on whether this extends to covering your bike or if it needs to be added as an extra… Taking out coverage with a specific insurer like Sundays will allow you to cover your bike away from home but also potentially cover yourself from accidental damage from the likes of crashes.”
—Conor Dunne, GCN presenter
Does home and contents insurance cover other e-bike damages?
Additional e-bike cover is unlikely to be provided by home and contents insurance. Situations such as accidental damage, in-transit damage, or bike rack transport are common cycling-related incidents but aren’t covered by home and contents insurance. You’ll probably be fully on the hook for any costs caused by these types of circumstances.
But you’re in luck— there’s bicycle-specific insurance that gives you the confidence that your e-bike is properly covered at all times. Cyclists and insurance providers recognise the shortfalls of home and contents insurance when it comes to electric bikes. Home and contents insurance may offer personal property coverage at home, but limitations and exclusions often apply to high-value or specialty bikes, such as e-bikes.
Take a look at how home and contents insurance stacks up against Sundays insurance and discover how e-bike insurance may be the better choice:
Sundays vs. Other bicycle insurers
Bike cover
$14/mo
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
Bike cover
$14/mo
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
$32.10/first month $16.54/month thereafter
$2 fee per payment
Wondering how insurance policies can affect you in different scenarios? I’ve described a few situations that residents who own electric bikes will be familiar with to help you decide whether e-bike insurance is the right option for you.
Scenario A: Shared bike storage
Many UK residents live in flats or shared buildings with communal bike storage spaces. But are these shared bike sheds safe places to leave your bike? These spots can take many forms such as outside bike racks, a dedicated bike shed, or locked bike rooms inside a parking garage.
If your e-bike gets stolen from these shared storage spaces it may not be covered by home and contents insurance. Electric bikes are often classified as special items that don’t fall into standard bicycle or motorised vehicle categories. Dedicated e-bike insurance, on the other hand, can offer peace of mind and proper cover for cyclists who securely lock their e-bike in a shared storage space at their home.
Scenario B: Bike rack transport
Driving with a bike rack on your car requires additional attention, especially in tight spaces like parking lots and garages. Residents in apartments or flats often park close to their neighbors which can make safely transporting your e-bike a challenge. Squeezing into parking spaces and navigating a garage’s tight corners with a bike rack can increase the chances of damaging your e-bike or having it damaged by others while on the rack.
Using a bike rack means you’re traveling away from home with the e-bike out and about in the world, often far from home and contents insurance protection. Dedicated e-bike insurance provides cover both at and away from home so there aren’t any gaps. E-bike insurance saves the day in situations like bike rack transport, allowing you to transport your e-bike stress-free.
Scenario C: Café ride
Stopping at a local café provides a well-deserved cycling break, but worrying about the safety of your bicycle while sipping your espresso can spoil the coffee stop.
While sitting at a café, we may still have that nagging thought in the back of our minds that someone could snatch our bike while we’re not looking. The most likely time for something to happen to your bike is while you’re away from home but that’s out of the scope of home and contents insurance. E-bike-specific insurance, however, provides protection from damage and theft whenever you’re away from home. This scenario also shows that it’s worth getting dedicated e-bike-specific cover to get the most enjoyment out of every ride. Just remember to comply with the policy security conditions, by keeping your bicycle in your direct line of sight, and not more than five meters away from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is e-bike theft common?
E-bike theft occurs much more often than any of us would like and electric bikes are specifically targeted because of their higher value and premium components. Thieves may attempt to remove the battery since that is the bike’s most expensive part. We recommend keeping your e-bike inside when not in use and properly locking it up while out and about.
Can you track a stolen e-bike?
Unless you previously installed a GPS tracking unit such as an AirTag or Tile in the bike, or have a Backpedal subscription, there’s no way to track a stolen e-bike in real-time. There are a few e-bike models with this technology built-in, though. In the case of theft, report the e-bike to stolen bike registries and check local reselling platforms which can assist in locating the bike or notifying local authorities.
How do you lock up an electric bike?
Most incidents of bike theft happen due to improper locking so it’s crucial to have a heavy-duty lock and correct locking habits. Secure both the frame and wheels to an immovable object which may require a second lock. Install anti-theft bolts or skewers to discourage grab-and-go theft and remove any easily detachable accessories when leaving your e-bike unattended.
