How do I compare insurance for an electric bicycle?
Compare electric bicycle insurance with Protect Your Family
Bicycle insurance
Compare bicycle insurance options.
What is bicycle insurance?
Bicycle insurance is a type of financial protection policy that covers bicycles against risks such as theft, accidental damage, and third-party liability.
Depending on the provider and policy, it may also include coverage for vandalism, loss during transit, personal accident benefits for the rider, and roadside assistance.
Similar to car or motorcycle insurance, bicycle insurance is designed to reduce the financial burden of unforeseen events, but it is tailored specifically to cyclists, whether they use bicycles for commuting, sport, or leisure.
🚩 Policies can vary in scope, with some offering international coverage, protection for accessories (e.g. helmets, locks, or GPS devices), and replacement-cost options for high-value bikes.
Why do I need it?
You may need bicycle insurance because it covers risks that other policies often miss.
Real-world risks – If you’re hit by a car, your bike is stolen from a locked shed, or you’re injured in a sportive, bicycle insurance can cover repairs, replacement, or medical costs.
Gaps in other policies – Home insurance often limits or excludes high-value bikes, and travel insurance rarely covers racing, transit damage, or liability abroad.
Financial and legal protection – Replacing an expensive bike or paying compensation in a lawsuit can be devastating; insurance helps manage these costs.
In short, bicycle insurance provides peace of mind by protecting both your bike and your liability in ways general insurance usually doesn’t.
What types of bicycle insurance can I get?
Bicycle insurance comes in several policy types, each addressing different risks. The right choice depends not only on the bike itself but also on how and where you ride.
Main types of coverage
Theft and damage – Covers your bike if it’s stolen, vandalised, or damaged in an accident. Essential for commuters and leisure riders alike.
Personal accident cover – Provides benefits if you’re injured while cycling, helping with medical costs or income loss. Useful for sportive and off-road riders.
Third-party liability – Protects you if you injure someone else or damage their property while riding. Important for all cyclists, especially commuters in traffic.
Competition cover – Extends protection to races and organised events, where standard health or travel insurance often excludes injuries or damage.
International protection – Covers your bike and liability while travelling abroad, including in transit or during overseas rides.
Matching cover to bike use
Commuters – Theft and liability are priorities, since bikes are often left in public places and used in traffic.
Racers and sportive riders – Competition and personal accident cover become crucial, alongside higher damage protection.
Off-road and adventure riders – May need extended accidental damage and travel cover, especially if riding abroad.
Specialised options
High-value or custom bikes – Policies may offer agreed value coverage, ensuring payout matches the bike’s true worth rather than market depreciation.
Antique or collector bikes – Bespoke insurance can protect against theft or accidental damage, often with tailored valuations.
Add-ons – Accessories like helmets, GPS units, or spare wheels can be insured separately for full protection.
What does bicycle insurance cover?
Bicycle insurance policies offer a variety of coverage options. These protect you and your bike in different scenarios. Here’s a breakdown of the typical inclusions:
-
Covered:
Theft and loss: This is a major one. If your bike is stolen, or goes missing under circumstances covered by the policy (e.g., vandalism), the insurer will reimburse you for its value or replace it.
Accidental damage: Wrecked your bike in a spill? Insurance can cover repairs or replacement depending on the policy.
Personal accident: Some policies offer medical cover for injuries sustained in a cycling accident.
Liability: This protects you if you injure someone or damage property while riding.
-
Not Covered:
Negligence: If your bike is stolen because you didn't lock it properly, most insurers won't pay out.
Normal wear and tear: Flat tires or gradual wear and tear of parts aren't covered.
Damage due to recklessness: Riding under the influence or breaking traffic laws could void your coverage.
Home cover limits: Some home insurance policies cover bicycles, but often only for theft within your home and with a limit on the payout.
Upgrades and add-ons for bicycle insurance
These features are not usually included as standard and may come at an extra cost depending on the insurer, but they can add extra protection.
-
Roadside assistance and recovery services
Helpful if you suffer a mechanical breakdown mid-ride and need transport for yourself and your bike.
-
Worldwide coverage
Ideal for international cyclists, covering theft, damage, or loss while travelling abroad.
-
Custom parts and accessories
Ensures items like upgraded wheels, saddles, or custom paint jobs are protected if stolen or damaged.
-
Replacement bike rental
Lets you hire a temporary bike while yours is being repaired after a covered claim.
-
Cycling clothing and equipment
Extends protection to high-value kit such as helmets, GPS devices, or race apparel.
-
Racing or competition cover
Provides tailored protection during races and organised events, where standard policies often exclude incidents
How do I choose the right bicycle insurance?
Cover limits
Check the maximum payout for theft, damage, or accessories. Some policies cap claims well below the value of a high-end bike.
Excess
A cheaper policy may come with a high excess, meaning you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
Theft conditions
Insurers often require specific lock types or proof that your bike was secured to an immovable object; failing this could void a claim.
Geographic scope
Make sure the policy covers where you ride (e.g., only in the UK, Europe or worldwide).
Competition and events
Standard cover may exclude sportives, races, or timed events unless you add a competition rider.
Personal accident and liability
Not always included, but valuable if you want protection for medical costs or third-party claims.
Replacement terms
Some policies offer “new-for-old” replacement, while others only pay current market value.
How much does bicycle insurance cost?
📌 As an example, insuring a £1,000 Specialized hybrid bike for a 51-year-old living in South London for leisure use in the UK and Europe would cost:
From £27 a year for theft only
From £50 a year for theft, public liability, personal injury and legal cover
Insuring the same bike for racing use would cost:
From £30 a year for theft only
From £57 a year for theft, public liability, personal injury and legal cover
💡 Top tip: The value of your bike has a big influence on how much you pay for insurance. In the above example, it would cost from £156 for full cover for a £5,000 bike used for racing.
There are several ways to reduce the cost of bicycle insurance:
✔ Secure storage – Keep your bike in a locked garage, shed, or secure indoor area.
✔ Approved locks – Use a Sold Secure or insurer-approved lock to qualify for discounts.
✔ Higher excess – Opt for a larger excess to lower monthly premiums.
✔ Multi-bike policies – Bundle more than one bicycle under the same plan for savings.
✔ Limit extras – Only add optional cover (e.g., racing, worldwide protection) if you really need it.
Our expert says…
“Cycling brings freedom – but it also comes with real risks. In the UK, nearly 67,000 bicycles were reported stolen in 2023/241, a slight decrease from 77,170 in the previous reporting year. But this number only reflects reported cases, and the true figure is likely much higher due to under-reporting. Various surveys suggest that more than half of bike theft victims don’t report the crime to the police – perhaps assuming that little will be done to recover their bike.
Most home contents policies will cover your bike, but protection for when you're out and about – when your bike is much more likely to be stolen – is usually a paid-for add-on. It’s also worth noting that failing to protect your bike adequately can result in your specialist bike insurance protection being invalidated. So make sure you invest in a good lock.”
Emma Lunn Personal finance expert
Is it cheaper to bundle bicycle insurance with home insurance?
It can sometimes be cheaper to include bike insurance with your home insurance – but not always.
Many home insurance policies automatically include bicycles up to a set limit (often £500–£1,000) without extra cost. You can usually add higher-value bikes as a named item, which is often cheaper than buying a standalone bike policy if you only need theft cover.
It might not be a good idea to add your bike to your home insurance if you have a very expensive bike. This will push up the price of your premium,
Home policies typically cover theft from home, but not damage during rides, competition use, worldwide travel, or third-party liability. Some don’t cover theft outside of your home either.
A stolen bike claim made under your home insurance could affect your no-claims discount and push up your whole household premium.
Can I insure my racing gear and custom bike parts?
Yes, you can insure both racing gear and custom bike parts, but they’re usually not included as standard. Many insurers allow you to add custom components such as carbon wheels, electronic groupsets, or custom paintwork, often through accessory cover or an agreed-value policy that reflects the bike’s true worth.
Spare wheels and frames can sometimes be insured separately, provided you can show proof of purchase or valuation.
High-value racing gear and clothing can also be covered as optional extras against theft, loss, or accidental damage. If you race or ride sportives, you may need competition cover, since standard policies often exclude organised events.
Does bicycle insurance cover event participation?
Bicycle insurance doesn’t usually include races or sportives as standard. To be covered during events, you’ll need to add competition or event cover, which protects against crashes, theft in transition areas, or transit damage.
Some insurers also extend personal accident benefits for racing, and international riders may need extra travel/event cover. Without this add-on, incidents during organised events are typically excluded.
Are accessories like helmets or GPS devices covered?
Accessories like helmets, GPS devices, lights, or clothing are not always covered as standard under bicycle insurance. Many policies only include the bike itself unless you add accessory cover.
If you want full protection for helmets, computers, or other high-value kit, check the policy wording carefully and consider listing them individually with proof of value.
Can I get insurance for using my bike abroad?
Yes - many insurers offer overseas or worldwide cover for cyclists, but it’s not always included as standard. Standard bicycle insurance usually only covers incidents in the UK.
International add-ons extend protection for theft, accidental damage, and sometimes liability while riding abroad or transporting your bike.
If you’re entering events overseas, you may also need specific competition cover abroad.
How does MoneySuperMarket make money?
We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is home insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy home insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is home insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, home insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 24 Dec 2025 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).