Bike buying guide

An electric bike, or an eBike, is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (or EAPC). An eBike has a motor, usually either in the bottom bracket between the cranks or within the rear wheel hub, which is used to assist the rider when needed.

In order to be classed as an electric bike, an eBike cannot be subject to the UK Road Traffic Act requirements. We can cover eBikes that meet the following specification:

• Any electrically-assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) that must still be powered by human pedalling and is only being assisted by electrically-motored power
• Does not require any key or ignition switch
• Has a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250W
• Has a motor with a cut-off, when unassisted at 3.7mph
• Has a motor with a cut-off, when assisting whilst being pedalled at 15

We are unable to cover any form of speed pedelec, speed eBike, e-scooter, e-moped or e-motorbike. We can only cover an EAPC / eBike if it is being ridden by someone aged 14 or over.

Yes! If you’re taking part in an upcoming cycling event, then our Race and Compete option means that you can cover up to £200 of cycle clothing that is lost or damaged in a transition area. Include any of your cycle related clothing and equipment in our Accessories Cover and you can cover up to £2,500 worth of kit against theft and accidental damage.

Yes, we can cover yours and your family’s bikes on one policy, which will automatically include your Multi-bike Discount, with a maximum combined value of £20,000. If you're looking for insurance for triathlon bikes over this amount, then please contact us by either:

• Phone: 0333 004 3444
• Email: support@guardcover.co.uk

If your policy start date is from the 1^st March 2022 onwards:

We will reimburse you or a member of your family for the cost of a single taxi journey, up to a maximum of £200, to your onward destination or insured location with your insured bicycle, if you are unable to complete your cycling journey in the event of:

• the theft of the insured bicycle, or
• accidental damage to the insured bicycle, or
• irreparable breakdown of the insured bicycle, or
• irreparable puncture to the insured bicycle, or
• an injury whilst cycling the insured bicycle.

Cover applies within the United Kingdom only, and for incidents that occur more than 1 mile from our insured location. A valid receipt from a registered taxi company will be required as proof of expenditure, which can be included within your claim.

If your policy start date is before the 1^st March 2022:

You will receive a contact number for "Call Assist" the recovery breakdown providers. We would recommend that you store this number on your mobile phone or in an accessible place when you are out cycling. Call Assist have over 1,500 recovery agents and will despatch the nearest one to recover you and your bike. They will then travel to your location and transport you to the nearest one of the following:

• A suitable cycle repair shop
• An appropriate railway station
• A car rental agency
• The nearest overnight accommodation
• Your home

Your bike will be covered for use by other members of your family. A family member means parents, spouse, partner, siblings, or children / step children, but only when living at the same insured location (where your insured bike(s) is usually kept, which should also be your main place of residence).

Our Race and Compete cover option will also extend accidental damage cover to riders at the same cycling or triathlon club.

The value should be the current, new undiscounted cost including VAT from a reputable dealer at the time you apply. End of season offers, and bargains do not count as the usual price.

We are able to offer a quotation up to a maximum value of £20,000 for individual bikes or multiple bicycles. You can insure up to 10 bicycles on one policy providing the total value does not exceed the £20,000 limit.

If you have a bike or bicycles over that value, we may be able to offer you a quotation. You can either call us for your individual quote on: 0333 004 3444, or alternatively you can email us at: support@guardcover.co.uk

Yes. You must be a UK resident and domiciled in the UK.

Yes, the excess amount will depend on the type and value of the claim.

• Claim amount is under £1,500 = excess of £50
• Claim amount £1,500 to £2,999 = excess of £100
• Claim amount £3,000 to £4,999 = excess of £150
• Claim amount is over £5,000 = excess of £200

For Public Liability claims, the first £500 of each claim arising from damage to third party property.

Yes, you can make changes to your policy by simply logging in to your online account here, or by calling us on: 0333 004 3444

You can add or delete insured items and change some aspects of your policy. Note that additions will incur additional costs. Additional premiums are charged on a pro rata basis from the date of change. Any cover options that you choose can only be added or removed when you first buy the policy or at renewal.

The minimum age for the main policyholder is 18. Public Liability and Personal Accident cover (if you have chosen to include this on your policy) will only apply to anyone aged 16 or over at the time of any incident, and total permanent disablement cover is only available for anyone aged 65 or under.

You must disclose any criminal convictions which have not been spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are in any doubt as to whether this applies to you, you should call us to discuss your individual circumstances.

You need to tell us about any cycle related losses or claims you have had within the last three years, whether insured or not. It is important that you make an honest disclosure of any previous claims or losses, as this could invalidate your cover.

Yes, your policy will cover you for 30 days in the EU as standard, with the option to extend to annual worldwide cover (maximum 60 days per trip).

Please note that the Cycle Rescue cover, Claims Bike Hire and Public Liability cover option only applies to the United Kingdom. Public Liability cover is excluded from North America.

Provided your bike is suitably packed in a bike bag or box and you have a receipt from the airline that your bike was checked onto the aircraft, then your bicycle would be covered against accidental damage. While under the responsibility of your transport provider, we don’t include cover against theft.

Extend your cover to include our Global Travel option and your bike box will be covered for up to £300 for accidental damage.

Providing you follow the security and lock requirements (you can find these here) your bike is covered whether at home, work or out on the trails anywhere in the UK and for up to 30 days in the EU.

It's very important that wherever you leave your bike, that it is securely locked through the frame, to an immovable object with an approved lock and is not left unattended, when you are away from your insured location, for more than 24 hours.

Yes, we can cover bikes stored in a “Communal Cycle Storage Area” providing they are locked through the frame to an immovable object with an approved lock.

We class a Communal Cycling Storage Area as: a fully enclosed residential cycle parking specific compound that is securely locked (only accessible through a lockable entrance which can only be opened by key or access code) and specifically dedicated to your insured location.

When your bike is within the direct boundaries of your insured location (where your insured bike(s) is usually kept, which should also be your main place of residence), and if it is not being stored in a fully enclosed and locked building or cycle storage unit, your bike needs to be locked to an immovable object through the frame of the bike, with an approved lock.

If the bike is stored in a communal hallway it will only be covered if the hallway is on the same floor as your insured location and, again, your bike needs to be locked to an immovable object, through the frame of the bike, with an approved lock. The same lock requirements apply if your bike is stored in a “Communal Cycle Storage Area”.

When you are away from the home, such as at a campsite, you would be able to lock the bike to an immovable object with an approved lock, through the frame of the bike and leave it unattended for up to 24 hours.

You need to include the value of your bike and any fixed accessories or replacement parts when taking out the policy. If you buy accessories later and add them to your bike, you can update the value of your bike through your online account or call on: 0333 004 3444

Yes, the requirements are quite specific in terms of types of locks and security devices. For more details, see our policy wording or take at our lock requirements here.

It is a condition of your insurance that you use an approved lock appropriate with the value of your bike. You can find our approved locklist which details our requirements here. Our approved lock list has been created to make sure that the best level of defence is being provided against cycle theft. When the lock is in use, it must be placed through the frame of your bike and secure the bike to an immovable object.

For your bike to be covered and for any claims to be successful you must make sure that the lock that you are using is in-line with our approved lock list and the security requirements.