Best Bike Insurance UK 2025 – Complete Guide to Protecting Your Bike
With over 57,000 bikes stolen in the UK every year and nearly 15,000 cyclists injured in road accidents, bike insurance isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential protection for your investment. Whether you’re commuting through Bournemouth, racing at weekends, or storing a £2,000+ bike at home, the right insurance policy can save you thousands.
The good news? Specialist bike insurance has evolved dramatically. We’ve researched and compared over 15 UK providers to find which policies actually deliver value, comprehensive coverage, and fair claims processes.
Quick Picks: Best Bike Insurance UK 2025
- Best Overall: Bikmo – Comprehensive coverage, 50% multi-bike discount, cyclist-focused team (from £3.73/month)
- Best Value: Laka – Community-based pricing, flexible monthly payments, no excess or depreciation (from £4/month)
- Best for Racers: Cycleplan – Specialist competition cover, 40% introductory discount, up to £30,000 cover
- Best Home Insurance Add-On: Aviva – Includes bikes up to £1,000 as standard, simple claims process
- Best for Commuters: Velosure – Core and Performance tiers, strong public liability, excellent customer reviews (4.7 Feefo)
Home Insurance vs Specialist Bike Insurance
Can’t I just add my bike to home insurance?
Maybe – but probably not enough coverage.
What Home Insurance DOES Cover:
✓ Bikes kept at home (usually up to £500-1,000) ✓ Theft from your house ✓ Basic accidental damage at home
What Home Insurance DOESN’T Cover:
✗ Theft away from home (locked outside shops, stations) ✗ Accidental damage while riding ✗ Competition/racing use ✗ Personal injury or liability ✗ Accessories and cycling clothing ✗ Bikes over £1,000 (often needs expensive add-on)
Best practice: Check your home insurance first. If your bike is under £500 and rarely leaves home, you might be covered. For anything else, get specialist insurance.
Pro tip: Marks & Spencer Bank, Aviva, and Hiscox offer good home insurance with decent bike cover as add-ons. But for bikes over £1,000 or regular use, specialist policies give better value.
Do You Actually Need Bike Insurance?
Short answer: If your bike is worth more than £300, or you can’t afford to replace it tomorrow, yes.
UK Bike Theft & Accident Statistics 2025:
- 57,000+ bikes reported stolen annually (actual number likely much higher)
- Only 15% of stolen bikes are ever recovered
- Nearly 15,000 cyclists injured in road accidents in 2023
- Average bike insurance claim: £800-1,200
- Peak theft times: Train stations, university campuses, city centres
- Most thefts occur between 6pm-midnight
- Reality check: A £40-80 annual policy on a £1,000 bike is a no-brainer. One theft or accident pays for 10+ years of insurance.
Top 7 Bike Insurance Providers UK 2025
1. Bikmo – Best Overall
Price: From £3.73/month Max bike value: £30,000 per bike Rating: 4.6/5 (Feefo Platinum Trusted Service)
What’s Included:
- Theft and accidental damage (home and away)
- £2 million public liability
- New-for-old replacement (no depreciation)
- 50% discount on additional bikes
- 25% discount on e-bikes
- Accessories and clothing cover
- Emergency bike hire
- £100,000 legal expenses
- 24/7 cycle hangar parking coverage
- Worldwide travel cover (optional)
Why We Like It: Bikmo is run by actual cyclists who understand your needs. Their team won’t confuse a bottom bracket with a brake lever. Coverage for bike hangars and lockable wooden sheds is excellent for urban cyclists.
Locking Requirements: Sold Secure Gold/Diamond rated lock required away from home
Best For: Serious cyclists with bikes £1,000+, commuters, multi-bike households
Cons: Slightly more expensive than basic policies, requires photo evidence of bike
2. Laka – Best Value & Most Flexible
Price: From £4/month (variable community pricing) Max bike value: £15,000 per bike (£30,000 total) Rating: 5/5 (Multiple awards)
What’s Included:
- Theft and accidental damage
- £2,000 accessories cover
- Month-to-month flexibility (no annual contract)
- NO excess fees
- NO depreciation on claims
- Community-driven pricing
- Public liability cover
- Personal accident cover
Why We Like It: Laka flipped insurance on its head. You only pay for actual claims made by the community each month. If there are fewer claims, everyone pays less. It’s refreshingly transparent.
Unique Feature: “Never more than” pricing – you know the maximum you’ll pay each month
Best For: Cyclists wanting flexibility, no excess fees, community-focused approach
Cons: Monthly cost can vary (though capped), maximum bike value £15,000
3. Cycleplan – Best for Racers
Price: 40% introductory discount currently available Max bike value: £30,000 for bikes, £1,000 accessories Rating: 4.5/5
What’s Included:
- New-for-old replacement (bikes under 3 years)
- Personal accident insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Family insurance options
- Electric scooter coverage
- European/worldwide cover (up to 45 days per trip)
- Competitive use cover (supplement)
- Triathlon transition area cover
Why We Like It: If you race regularly, Cycleplan understands the specific needs of competitive cyclists. Transition area cover is a rare find.
Best For: Racers, triathletes, sportive riders, families with multiple bikes
Cons: Standard £50 excess or 10% of claim (whichever is higher.
4. Velosure – Best Customer Service
Price: Core and Performance tiers available Max bike value: £15,000+ Rating: 4.7/5 (Feefo)
Coverage Tiers:
Core Cover Includes:
- Theft and accidental damage
- Up to £2 million public liability
- New-for-old replacement
- Multi-bike discount
- £1,000 accessories cover
- Physiotherapy cover
- Replacement bike hire
Performance Cover Adds:
- European and worldwide cover
- Rescue service
- Personal accident cover
- Road rage cover (unique!)
Why We Like It: Excellent customer reviews and one of the few insurers offering “road rage” cover – protection if you’re attacked while cycling.
Best For: Cyclists wanting excellent customer service, urban riders concerned about road rage incidents
5. Yellow Jersey (Cycling UK) – Best for Tourers
Price: Varies by membership Max bike value: High-value bikes accepted Rating: 4.6/5 (Feefo)
What’s Included:
- Three levels of bicycle cover
- Separate travel insurance for cyclists
- Trans-European tour coverage
- Medical cover abroad
- Entry fee reimbursement (up to £300)
- Event cancellation cover
- No depreciation on claims
Why We Like It: If you’re planning a multi-country cycling tour, Yellow Jersey’s travel coverage is exceptional. They understand long-distance cycling needs.
Best For: Touring cyclists, sportive riders abroad, Cycling UK members
Cons: Better for travel/touring than everyday theft protection
Note: Limited theft and damage cover compared to others – check policy details
6. Pedalsure – Most Customizable
Price: Build-your-own quote system Max bike value: £15,000+ Rating: 4.4/5
What’s Included (Customizable):
- Theft and damage (baseline)
- 50% multi-bike discount
- Accessories cover
- Race cover
- Up to 60 days travel cover
- Three tiers of personal accident cover
- Family coverage options
Why We Like It: Total flexibility – pay only for what you need. Great if you have specific requirements.
Best For: Cyclists with unique needs, those wanting to build a bespoke policy
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7. British Cycling (via Bikmo) – Best for Club Riders
Price: Included with British Cycling membership (from £49/year) Public Liability: Up to £20 million Rating: 4.6/5
What Membership Includes:
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- Third-party liability insurance (up to £20 million)
- Legal support and assistance
- Personal accident insurance (Race membership)
- Event cancellation cover (up to £500-750)
- Bikmo insurance discount
- Racing license
- Discounts at Evans, Halfords, Chain Reaction Cycles, Muc-Off, etc.
Why We Like It: If you’re already a British Cycling member or race regularly, the insurance is essentially free with membership.
Best For: Club riders, racers, anyone wanting British Cycling membership benefits.
Cons: Not standalone insurance (requires membership), travel not included
How to Choose the Right Bike Insurance
How Much Does Bike Insurance Cost?
Factors That Increase Your Premium
- Living in high-theft areas (London, Manchester, Birmingham city centres)
- Bikes over £3,000
- Carbon frames (perceived as fragile)
- Regular racing/competition use
- Storing bikes outside or in wooden sheds
- Previous claims history
Ways to Reduce Costs: ✓ Pay annually (vs monthly installments) ✓ Install Sold Secure Diamond locks ✓ Use GPS tracker (some insurers give discounts) ✓ Store bike securely at home ✓ Join a cycling club (some offer group discounts) ✓ Multi-bike discount (if you have 2+ bikes) ✓ Increase voluntary excess
Making a Claim: What to Expect
If Your Bike is Stolen: Immediate Actions (First 24 Hours)
If Your Bike is Damaged in Accident:
Typical Claim Timeline
Bikmo: Usually 5-10 working days Laka: 7-14 days (community claims reviewed) Cycleplan: 10-14 days Others: 2-4 weeks average
Tip: Insurers with higher Feefo ratings (4.5+) tend to process claims faster and more fairly.
Common Bike Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
- 1
Not Using Correct Locks
Problem: Most common reason for claim rejection.
Solution: Check your policy’s locking requirements (usually Sold Secure Gold/Diamond). Keep receipt for lock purchase. - 2
Leaving Bike Too Long
Problem: Abandoned more than 24 hours = not covered.
Solution: Don’t leave your bike locked in the same spot overnight or longer. - 3
No Proof of Ownership
Problem: Can’t prove the bike was yours
Solution: Keep original receipt, photos with serial number visible, bike registration (BikeRegister.com). - 4
Under-Insuring Your Bike
Problem: Claimed bike was worth £2,000, only insured for £1,000
Solution: Include ALL upgrades and accessories in your insured value. - 5
Not Declaring Modifications
Problem: Custom wheels or components not mentioned
Solution: Tell insurer about ANY changes from stock bike. - 6
Using Wrong Lock Type
Problem: Cable lock ≠ Sold Secure rated
Solution: Check lock meets requirements (most insurers publish approved lock list). - 7
Storing in Unapproved Location
Problem: Some policies don’t cover wooden sheds or communal bike stores
Solution: Read storage requirements carefully. Bikmo is good for flexible storage options.
