E&L Insurance

Ollieda

Firstly, before anyone posts anything along the lines of "there's an insurance thread here" or "we do have a search feature" I have done a search, read my post fully please.

Someone on another insurance thread mentioned E&L insurance (Equine and Livestock insurance) and I decided to get a quote. Came out at £50 for my two bikes (one is about £600 and the other £300) covering them for all the usuals; theft,accidental damage. Seems to good to be true considering that most companies (including cycleguard) are in excess of £100.

Does anyone have any experience of this insurance company, just thought I would check encase there's a big no-no i've missed! If not I'm giving them a call tomorrow and getting myself covered!!!

Squillinossett

They have a good rep, I would have gone with them, but they only cover bikes held in the house, not any form out out building!

incog24

They paid out for a claim I put in with them (crash write off), but it took ages!! I think it was 6months before the cheque came. I repeatedly chased them, and the claim was processed - approved - then spent 2 months in the 'cheque printing department'. They then failed to claim off the third party and sent me the bike value minus the excess (still waiting to resolve this one). Nice enough people, but either not enough of them to handle the work load or they're not very good at their jobs. Probably the former, but that's still a failing.

However, they were the cheapest and they did pay out in the end. But, personally I think its worth paying 10% more and going with someone else (although ETA look competitive with E&L).

I don't think my experience is unique either. If you look on google there are tons of complaints about them from the pets/horses people.

Horton

Never used them, but read lots of very bad reports about them - echoed by incog24.
Don't know how old you are and your circumstances, but before you payout, check about getting them added to an existing home contents insurance policy - MoreThan for example cover bikes up to £1500 without any extra premium and you don't have to declare them. More than that and you just put them as a named item!

FWIW, I pay less for £75,000 home contents cover (all risks so I can take things out of the house) including my 3 bikes (2 of which are 4 figures) than I could insure my MTB on its own through E&L / Evans etc.

iain_j

I've been with E&L for about 18 months. They were the cheapest at the time (just over £5 per month for my £800 bike), the premiums have gone up a bit since, now paying about £8. Never had to make a claim.

Evil Laugh

That's not good to know.

Have been using them but on their month by month policy.

Not yet had to make a claim thankfully, maybe start looking somewhere else then.

Ollieda

Thanks guys

@Horton - I'm a student and 22 so none of the companies with the extra cover on contents insurance will cover me unfortuantly.

@incog24 - Thanks for the heads up on ETA, will give them a look

Lou_m

2 of my friends had bikes stolen when they were on (i think) a MBR run mtb holiday in France. Both bikes along with 6 others were stolen from a locked room in the hotel. E&L didn't pay out. If you read the very small print you need to declare in writing that you are taking you bike outside the uk. No mention of this on the web site. Anyway that was 2 friends who just lost their £2000 bikes.

I cancelled mine just after that and went with M&S insurance. So much cheaper.

Mic_Waka

I use CycleGaurd insurance. Covered for accidental, public liability and also has breakdown cover. I have claimed once about a year ago, crashed my mountain bike into a large rock at the side of a road, Had cheque within 2 weeks (would have been quicker if my LBS had sent the damage report sooner). Used breakdown cover at the time too, they sent a taxi to pick me and my bike up and take me home, I was 25 miles from home so a long walk otherwise. I pay £12 per month for a £1500 bike and fittings though but I don't mind at all.