Cycle Insurance FAQs

E-bike legislation varies by country so buying second-hand, or online from abroad, can lead to confusion. Here in the UK, e-bikes used anywhere other than private land must not provide powered assistance beyond 15.5 mph (25 km/h) and maximum continuous rated power up to 250W. If your cycle has pedals and an electric motor of no more than 250 watts that cuts out once you’re travelling more than 15.5mph (25 km/h), then in the eyes of UK law it’s an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle) sometimes referred to as an e-bike, or pedelec. It's important to remember that the 250W figure refers to the power of the motor and not the battery. If you're unsure about the power output of the motor (it's not always visibly marked), then make certain that motorised assistance cuts out at 15.5mph. If the e-bike conforms to these requirements, you can ride it on the road or any cycle paths - anywhere a conventional bicycle can be used. It also means you won't find it any trouble to insure.

We believe e-bikes have the potential to revolutionise cycling. Not only can e-bikes get more people riding, and over greater distances, but they open up a world of possibilities for the those with mobility issues. We like to help where we can so we offer a lower price on every e-bike insurance policy.

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Whether you carry your e-bike on a roof rack or rear carrier, ETA cycle insurance protects against accidental damage to your bike. If you use the appropriate approved lock, it will be covered against theft for up to 18 hours.

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Yes. We provide insurance for lots of people who travel by caravan, RV and motorhome with one or more e-bikes. Just make sure you use the appropriate lock to secure your e-bike while it’s attached to your bike carrier. See our policy wording for time limits. If you store your e-bike inside your locked motorhome or caravan, it does not need any further security. However, if it can be seen through a window, our policy requires that you cover it with something to keep it from view.

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Yes. A cycle insurance policy from the ETA includes worldwide cover against theft and damage. You are also protected while your bike is in the care of rail operators, airlines or coach companies during transit.

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We launched the UK's first Cycle Rescue service 30 years ago and include it with every cycle insurance policy of ours. Alternatively, we sell it as a standalone service for £24 per year. If your e-bike or electric cargo bike suffers a puncture, mechanical issue, or even a flat battery, we can send a recovery lorry to rescue you.

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Yes, subject to certain conditions. E-bikes sold before 1 January 2016 may have a full-speed throttle (you don't need to pedal at all to reach the 15.5mph limit) but are considered legal due to having been sold before the law changed. E-bikes sold after that need to be pedalled in order for the motor to work although they are permitted to have a throttle to engage a low-speed 'walk mode'. This feature helps when wheeling a heavy e-bike or e-cargo cycle. For those wanting to ride a full-throttle e-bike legally in the UK today, there’s a process to follow. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must test and approve your e-bike as an L1e category 250W Low Powered Moped. This approval process ensures the bike meets safety and compliance standards set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations.

We will provide cover for full-throttle e-bikes that have been issued a British National Type Approval certificate, printed with the bike’s frame number.

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Yes, we cover electrically assisted bicycles with an output not exceeding 250 w/15.5 mph. We will even include a 20% discount for e-bikes.

You are covered for all aspects except personal liability and personal accident.

You will be covered for theft and accidental damage.

We are unable to provide cover for bicycles that have been hired by a company for personal use. Usually, the business you are hiring the bike from will provide adequate cover.

You have the right to cancel this policy within 14 days of the start date of the policy without giving any reasons and you will receive a full refund unless a claim has been made. Should you cancel after 14 days we will refund you with an amount proportionate to the unexpired period remaining on the policy, unless a claim has been made. You can cancel your cycle insurance using your online account, by calling us on 0333 000 1234 or send us an email on customercare@eta.co.uk.

You have 28 days from the date of theft / incident to make your claim. In cases where you are in hospital we ask that you make it as soon as physically possible.

If you choose to pay monthly for your cycle insurance, you will be covered for one month at a time – similar to other products you may be familiar with like Spotify or Netflix. At the end of each month your policy will renew, at which point we will collect your next monthly premium. The agreement you have with us is not a credit agreement, where one year's cover is split over twelve monthly instalments.

We can process a claim very quickly – often within 10 working days – if you provide all the correct details and supporting documentation. Failure to provide all the supporting receipts, documents or information, or having to wait for a police report, could significantly delay your claim. Don’t forget that you can claim up to £500 towards the costs of hiring a bicycle if your own bike is off the road following a claim. If you would like to make use of this hire bike benefit, please call us for details.

We always try to replace your bike for a like-for-like model. If we cannot find an exact replacement we will reimburse you up to the insured value for the nearest like-for-like replacement.

You can send the additional information to us via the online customer login area, ETA My Account, if you added your claim there to begin with, otherwise you can send them by email to, claims@eta.co.uk. However, if our claims team need any more information from you, they will contact you.

If you have been involved in an incident, you need to report it to the police as a road traffic collision and obtain a reference number. Once you have obtained a road traffic collision reference number, you can then submit your claim form online.

To ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible, we urge you to keep original receipts for cycles insured with us in a secure place as proof of ownership. We do, however, understand that this is not always possible, and in some circumstances will accept a bank statement showing the withdrawal/transfer of payments, a written valuation from a VAT-registered cycle shop, photographs of your bike or an eBay receipt.

You can submit a cycle insurance claim online here.

You will require proof of purchase for both the bike and lock, a VAT-registered trader’s estimate for the cost of repair/replacement, as well as any photographic evidence supporting your claim.

Yes, this will be covered under our accessories cover, however, you can only claim for this if you are claiming for the theft or damage of the bicycle. Please refer to the ‘Summary of benefits’ in your relevant policy wording for the amount you are covered up to.

We will cover any item that is efficient in the pursuit of cycling, but is not essential to the operation of the bicycle, including and limited to bicycle batteries, baskets, bells, bottles, cycle clothing, cycle computers (not including mobile phones), cycle shoes, cycle-specific cameras (helmet, frame or handlebar mounted), heart rate monitors, helmets, lights, mirrors, pannier racks and saddle bags.

When valuing a bike for cycle insurance, be sure to give the model’s full recommended replacement value, including the value of your Sold Secure-approved bike lock, as well as any relevant fixed accessories. This is equipment added and fixed to the bicycle in addition to the manufacturer’s original specifications, including trailers and passenger carrying trailers. This also includes permanently fixed accessories and parts, such as a saddle, panniers, wheels (including quick release), tyres, bottle holder, pedals and fixed lights.

You can fit your bike with an identity tag. The easiest and most effective way to create your own frame number is to use the Datatag system. The Datatag system includes a four etches to permanently mark your frame and forks and a series of micro dots to mark components. A Datatag can be purchased in most local cycle shops, or you can purchase it online here.

Yes, many of our cusomers have bought bikes through the Cycle to Work scheme. Although the bicycle technically remains the property of your employer throughout the Cycle to Work scheme, it is your responsibilty to insure it, because if it is stolen you will still have to repay the loan.

We have established a fantastic reputation over more than thirty years for providing reliable and comprehensive cycle insurance and the vast majority of claims are handled quickly and efficiently, without issue. The only time we are unable to pay out is if you are in breach of the security, or other requirements outlined in your policy. To find out the top 5 reasons we have had to refuse claims in the past, and how to avoid them, click here or check your policy document for full exclusions.

The frame number can usually be found on the tube that connects your seat pin and your pedals or on the receipt for your bike. It is a relatively long alphanumeric number which the cycle shop you bought the bike from should have a record of too. More info on where to find your bike frame number.

We will accept a valuation of your bicycle from a VAT registered cycle shop, bank statements detailing the purchase date and amount, Ebay or Paypal transaction receipts (not confirmation emails), hand-written receipts from the previous owner which are dated and signed, or, if you got your bike through a cycle to work scheme, the accompanying documentation detailing the value and purchase date of your bicycle. We recommend obtaining at least one of these pieces of supporting evidence as soon as you take out your insurance policy. Many of our customers find it convenient to email us a copy of their receipt or other proof of ownership when they take out the policy so that we can attach it to their records.

We will accept photos of the lock and/or bank statement to show the transaction when the lock was purchased. We recommend that you take photos as soon as you take out the insurance in case the lock is stolen along with the bike, otherwise you might not be able to prove ownership after the theft has taken place. If you are supplying photographs as proof of ownership, you should at the very least be sure to provide one close up showing make and model, and one of it locked to the bike, as you would usually secure it (through the frame). All photographs used in support of a claim should be clearly date stamped.

If the roof rack is properly fitted, and you use a Sold Secure lock of the correct rating, you can leave your bike unattended on your roof rack for up to 18 hours at a time and it will be covered against theft (be aware that if you leave it on the roof rack overnight, a higher excess applies if it is stolen between 1am and 4am). When you carry your bicycle on your car roof rack it is covered against accidental damage.

If the make and model of your lock is listed on the Sold Secure website then we will accept it if it meets the correct silver or gold rating relating to the value of your cycle.

If you receive a cable as part of a pack with a D Lock, please note that this part of the product has not passed the Sold Secure test and is only meant to provide a minimal level of security for accessories.

Bicycles, inclusive of any fixed accessories, that have an insured value of less than £1,500 require a minimum Silver rated lock.

Bicycles, inclusive of any fixed accessories, that have an insured value of £1,500 or more require a minimum Gold rated lock.

No. As long as the garage or shed is locked- then you will not need to secure your bike when inside.

You need only provide ownership of the lock when the bike is stolen or damaged/vandalised whilst locked in a public place or communal hallway. If you never keep your bike in one of these areas and it is kept out of sight in a locked private building, shed or garage, then we will not require proof of ownership of your lock.

Yes. The bike will need to be locked to an immovable object using an approved lock and stored out of sight from the public, if visible from a window or door. As other residents, and possibly members of the public, can gain entry to the building, the bike would not be covered unless it were locked or stored away from external view.

Only if there is a locked gate and fence of at least six feet or 1.8 metres in height surrounding the parking area and blocking public access. However if there is no locked gated entry and/or fence the bike will not be covered if it is left for more than 18 hours.