Bike stolen on first day, day after it was insured. Advice?

**Damien** · 06-10-2008, 19:27

Hi,

I got a new bike staturday, insured it yesterday, and rode it to the train station today. It was stolen when I arrived back, included the approved lock it was attached with

I am worried what the insurance company will say since I have had the policy for only one day. I have reported it to the police, it has a crime number, and CCTV which covers the area although not directly the location the bike was locked too (massive metal railings).

Any advice?

danielf · 06-10-2008, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Hi,

I got a new bike staturday, insured it yesterday, and rode it to the train station today. It was stolen when I arrived back, included the approved lock it was attached with

I am worried what the insurance company will say since I have had the policy for only one day. I have reported it to the police, it has a crime number, and CCTV which covers the area although not directly the location the bike was locked too (massive metal railings).

Any advice?

Sorry to hear that. I know all about it

I suppose it might depend on the insurance. I had a bike stolen one week into the insurance once. They (Cycleguard IIRC) paid up without problems, but refused to insure me any longer (as I had had another bike stolen earlier). They also refunded the premium (pro rata). I'd say give the insurance a call...

demented · 06-10-2008, 19:39

That's dreadful. The insurance company will pay up, just don't go in for the usual fob off of "vouchers".

**Damien** · 06-10-2008, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Sorry to hear that. I know all about it

I suppose it might depend on the insurance. I had a bike stolen one week into the insurance once. They (Cycleguard IIRC) paid up without problems, but refused to insure me any longer (as I had had another bike stolen earlier). They also refunded the premium (pro rata). I'd say give the insurance a call...

It is Cycleguard I am insured with, the thing is, I insured it for less than the total worth of the bike. I did this so I could use the bronze standard approved lock (it was the only one i could find that could secure the wheel as well as the frame). I would only expect them to pay out what I insured obviously but do you think this would be a deal breaker with them?

Also, do you think they will refuse to insure me as well?

danielf · 06-10-2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It is Cycleguard I am insured with, the thing is, I insured it for less than the total worth of the bike. I did this so I could use the bronze standard approved lock (it was the only one i could find that could secure the wheel as well as the frame). I would only expect them to pay out what I insured obviously but do you think this would be a deal breaker with them?

Also, do you think they will refuse to insure me as well?

I really couldn't tell you. Your best bet is to call them. They do have a tendency to not pay out cash. In my case they ordered a new (identical) bike for me at a local bike shop, which I could then pick up. Presumably this is to prevent people saying their bike is stolen to get the cash.

They refused me because I had two bikes stolen in quick succession. One was uninsured, and the second one was insured.

**Damien** · 06-10-2008, 20:23

Quote:

I really couldn't tell you. Your best bet is to call them. They do have a tendency to not pay out cash. In my case they ordered a new (identical) bike for me at a local bike shop, which I could then pick up. Presumably this is to prevent people saying their bike is stolen to get the cash.

ah crap, if i valued it at less than the bikes worth..

DocDutch · 06-10-2008, 20:28

sorry to hear it damien

And daniel you should be used having bikes nicked your from holland after all

danielf · 06-10-2008, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

sorry to hear it damien

And daniel you should be used having bikes nicked your from holland after all

Yeah, but the bike I have here is a Ã‚Â£350 MTB with disc brakes. Not quite like the 'aftandse rammelkasten' I used to ride back in Holland.

---------- Post added at 20:43 ---------- Previous post was at 20:38 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

ah crap, if i valued it at less than the bikes worth..

Just give them a call, explain the situation, and see what they say. Or have a look at the policy wording here:

http://www.cycleguard.co.uk/policywo...ycle&promCode=

DocDutch · 06-10-2008, 21:42

what ya mean with that daniel... only the "the bike is public property" mentality in Holland

**Damien** · 06-10-2008, 21:53

Just pees me off, can't belive I got it staturday and have hardly ridden it! Came back from work, got off the train. All the other bikes were there, mine had gone. It was a good lock as well. Son of a ...

**Maggy J** · 06-10-2008, 21:56

We feel your pain...

danielf · 06-10-2008, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Just pees me off, can't belive I got it staturday and have hardly ridden it! Came back from work, got off the train. All the other bikes were there, mine had gone. It was a good lock as well. Son of a ...

Yeah, I know the feeling. I had a good lock as well. There's not much that'll withstand a boltcutter though. These days, I take my bike on the train, and keep it in my office at work. I'm lucky I can take it into work I guess.

bmxbandit · 06-10-2008, 22:07

Had two of mine stolen, in the past... right pain! Now insurance quotes are too ridiculous to bother for me, was about 1/3 of the cost of the bike last time I checked.

They should pay out, I'd think - as others have said, check the policy. My advice - if you have to leave a bike in public, make it look awful, if it isn't already. Choose a nasty colour, strip the stickers, throw dirt on it, the works. Seems to be working so far

danielf · 06-10-2008, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocDutch

what ya mean with that daniel... only the "the bike is public property" mentality in Holland

Well yes, your bike is...

DocDutch · 06-10-2008, 22:41

Damien...what you could do as well is if you have it that is see if you can claim it on your Home Contents insurance as that normally has cover for bikes that are left out.

---------- Post added at 22:41 ---------- Previous post was at 22:39 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxbandit

Had two of mine stolen, in the past... right pain! Now insurance quotes are too ridiculous to bother for me, was about 1/3 of the cost of the bike last time I checked.

They should pay out, I'd think - as others have said, check the policy. My advice - if you have to leave a bike in public, make it look awful, if it isn't already. Choose a nasty colour, strip the stickers, throw dirt on it, the works. Seems to be working so far

that doesnt deter them at all, the buggers know what a good bike looks like nowadays, you just have to look for:
a. diskbrakes
b. good quality gears (high end shimano systems)
c. the kind of lock that is around it...