Lock Requirements
Our cover is provided on the basis that you secure your bicycle with an adequate Sold Secure rated lock when leaving it in public.
Approved cycle locks
There is a wide range of secure and affordable bicycle locks available.
Please note: security cables must never be relied upon to secure bikes, or used as an extension to your bike’s lock. If you fail to use a Sold Secure rated lock to secure your bike through the frame to an immovable object your cover could be invalid. Find out more about how to lock your bike
In order to make a successful claim for cycle theft, you must use a Sold Secure lock with a rating of either Silver or Gold, depending on the value of the bicycle. The provision to allow Bronze rated locks, for bicycles with an insured value of under £250, has been removed from all new policies sold after 10 August 2022.
Sold Secure tests and rates cycle locks sold in Britain. Each lock model is rated as Bronze, Silver or Gold. The three ratings represent how long it would take for a thief to break the lock. The higher the grading, the greater the level of security provided by the product. If you are unsure of the rating of your lock, visit the Sold Secure website or call 01327 264 687
Proving ownership of a suitable bike lock
It is a condition of cover that you adequately secure your bicycle with an approved lock to an immovable object when you leave it in a public or communal place. We do not require you to lock your bicycle when it is being kept at home, so long as it is not visible from the exterior of your property and that it is not accessible by anyone other than members of your household.
However, if you need to make a claim for theft in a circumstance that required your bicycle to be locked (i.e. left unattended in a public place), you must prove ownership of a suitable lock.
We will accept any of the following:
- Original dated purchase receipt detailing the make and model of the lock
- Ebay or PayPal dated sale documentation detailing the make and model of the lock
- A dated web receipt from an online retailer detailing the make and model of the lock
- An independently written valuation provided by an accredited cycle retailer detailing the make and model of the lock
If you are unable to provide any of the above, we will accept two clear photographs of your lock, one separately from, and one locked to your insured bicycle where we can clearly see the lock make and model. Photographs must be supplied to us before you need to make a claim.
Find out more about proof of ownership
Locking your bike
When leaving your bike unattended in a public place, you need to ensure that it has been locked correctly in order for your insurance to remain valid. We’ve put together a handy guide on how to lock your bike in accordance with our policy requirements.
Have other questions about our security requirements? Read our FAQs