Insurance - yes, I know boring...but still need help!

cobbslane

The other half and I are off to Roses, Spain in the next few weeks travelling with the Bike Express which has had great reviews on here & elsewhere. We are taking our road bikes which are our pride and joy since we haven't had them too long and it crosses my mind that I am in need of suitable insurance. I don't just wish to cover the hols - our travel insurance covers that and so I am on the lookout for good quality insurance that covers - the bikes (plus the MTB's we have at home), theft in and out the home, travel in and out of UK, third party and public liability even if it was our fault etc.

I fear that I am about to be fleeced as I always do when it comes to insurance and I don't wish to pay a sum equivalent to a new Pinarllo Dogma each year either!

I have looked at the CTC site but there is no cost guidance or quotes, British Cyling Ride level looks interesting but no quotes until you join etc and someone suggested M&S house insurance but I'm not sure all this stuff is completely covered and I don't wish to find out the hard way! If any of you have personal experience of these new schemes that would be interesting.

I'm certain this has been covered elsewhere so forgive a boring repeat but your advice is as always - very much appreciated!

Gerry

alfablue

my M&S policy covers unlimited numbers of bikes (and other posessions) up to £4000 for each, at home and worldwide for loss due to theft or accident damage. No specifications re locks. I expect it would exclude racing. People have reported a good claims experience.

daviesee

M&S again but make sure that you include the add-ons for away from home and international.
Much cheaper than anything on CTC or BC. In fact M&S will insure your entire house & contents for less than a single bike through other companies :P

sungod

as above, m&s

just choose the option for cover away from home and you're ok, cover is unlimited, but you do need to declare items over 4000 to have them covered

the policy is available online so you can get a copy and read the details, it's not loaded with fine print

last year i made a claim for about 2000 damage (to 4000+ bike and clothing), they settled in three working days, really good service

BBH

how did your quotes this year fair after the claim??

Another plus for M&S insurance though!!

Monty Dog

FWIW for non-house content insurance, premium estimates are about 10% of the total value of the sum insured - for my 6 bikes, it would be over £1000/annum! With M&S it's something like £150 extra premium on the basis that I can't ride tham all at once and the others are locked away safely.

cobbslane

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. A clean sweep for M&S it seems!
Gerry

schlepcycling

BBH wrote:

how did your quotes this year fair after the claim??

Another plus for M&S insurance though!!

We insured through M&S for the £4k per bike cover and I'm glad we did as I had 3 bike worth £9k in total stolen in July last year. M&S were fine and replaced 1 bike like for like and then paid out for the other 2. The only problem was that at renewal time they reduced the £4k per bike to £1.5k per bike so now it's not such a good deal.

timmyturbo

schlepcycling wrote:

BBH wrote:

how did your quotes this year fair after the claim??

Another plus for M&S insurance though!!

We insured through M&S for the £4k per bike cover and I'm glad we did as I had 3 bike worth £9k in total stolen in July last year. M&S were fine and replaced 1 bike like for like and then paid out for the other 2. The only problem was that at renewal time they reduced the £4k per bike to £1.5k per bike so now it's not such a good deal.

was the reduction to 1.5k due to your claim for 9k ? Or have they changed it to 1.5k from 4k for everybody .

Seems like a great deal though . cheers

schlepcycling

timmyturbo wrote:

schlepcycling wrote:

BBH wrote:

how did your quotes this year fair after the claim??

Another plus for M&S insurance though!!

We insured through M&S for the £4k per bike cover and I'm glad we did as I had 3 bike worth £9k in total stolen in July last year. M&S were fine and replaced 1 bike like for like and then paid out for the other 2. The only problem was that at renewal time they reduced the £4k per bike to £1.5k per bike so now it's not such a good deal.

was the reduction to 1.5k due to your claim for 9k ? Or have they changed it to 1.5k from 4k for everybody .

Seems like a great deal though . cheers

Yes, the reduction to £1.5 was directly related to my claim, M&S still offer the £4k cover.

I think we need a couple of claim free years before we can get the £4k limit back.

timmyturbo

schlepcycling wrote:

timmyturbo wrote:

schlepcycling wrote:

BBH wrote:

how did your quotes this year fair after the claim??

Another plus for M&S insurance though!!

We insured through M&S for the £4k per bike cover and I'm glad we did as I had 3 bike worth £9k in total stolen in July last year. M&S were fine and replaced 1 bike like for like and then paid out for the other 2. The only problem was that at renewal time they reduced the £4k per bike to £1.5k per bike so now it's not such a good deal.

was the reduction to 1.5k due to your claim for 9k ? Or have they changed it to 1.5k from 4k for everybody .

Seems like a great deal though . cheers

Yes, the reduction to £1.5 was directly related to my claim, M&S still offer the £4k cover.

I think we need a couple of claim free years before we can get the £4k limit back.

thanks for that , great info , brilliant . Cheers

trtimothy

M&S are excellent. Smashed a zipp 404 rear tubular wheel apart on a pothole and they replaced it with a brand new one and even replaced the tire.