Do you need insurance for an e-bike?

If you’ve bought your e-bike from a reputable shop, it will almost certianly be what the law calls an EAPC – an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle. That sounds complicated, but really it just means that in legal terms, it’s still a bicycle. You can ride it anywhere you’d take a conventional bike. There’s no legal requirement for insurance, registration plates or wearing a helmet.

So what makes an EAPC? In simple terms: it’s a bicycle with a motor that helps you pedal, capped at 250W, and it stops giving assistance once you’re riding over 15.5mph.

What kind of e-bike insurance do I need?

If your e-bike falls into the EAPC category, most standard cycle insurance policies should cover it. But this is where the small print matters. Some insurers only offer “new-for-old” replacement if your bike is, well, new or nearly new. Others simply don’t build policies with e-bikes in mind.

By contrast, ETA’s cycle insurance includes features designed with e-bikes in mind, such as 24/7 Cycle Rescue – a breakdown service that will pick you and your e-bike up if you’re stranded by a mechanical issue, a puncture, or even a flat battery.

Home insurance sometimes covers bikes too, but usually with significant caveats. Many policies won’t match the level of protection you’d get from a specialist cycle policy, and if you claim through your home insurance, you could lose your no-claims bonus.

One golden rule: if your e-bike has a motor above 250W, or one that doesn’t cut out at 15.5mph, it’s not an EAPC. It’s treated as a motor vehicle and you’ll need proper motor insurance not to mention the appropriate driving licence, and MOT, numberplate and motorcycle helmet.

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Can I insure an e-bike conversion kit?

Not all insurers will cover e-bike conversion kits, but the ETA will – provided they meet EAPC rules (250W motor, pedal assist only, motor cuts at 15.5mph).

Conversions are becoming popular, particularly for those on a budget, as they can turn a regular bike electric for a fraction of the cost of a new machine. But they come with risks. Quality varies widely, and cheap kits often scrimp on waterproofing and battery safety. DIY installs can also strain a bike not built to handle the torque of a motor. If you’re considering one, check carefully it meets the UK’s e-bike regulations. If you decide to install a conversion kit, never mix and match batteries and chargers. And excercise caution when charging: the Fire Service has issued the following advice on e-bike batteries.

Can I get insurance for my cargo e-bike?

Yes. Cargo bikes are brilliant – quiet, clean, and capable of carrying kids, shopping or bulky loads that won’t fit on a standard bike. But their size and weight can make breakdowns a headache. Even a flat tyre or broken chain can stop you in your tracks.

ETA cargo bike insurance covers includes Cycle Rescue, so you’re not left stranded with kids or cargo when something goes wrong.

What if my e-bike has a throttle?

If it still meets EAPC rules, you can get cycle insurance for it if it conforms with the following e-bike throttle regulations:

E-bikes sold before 1 January 2016 could legally have a full-speed throttle – meaning you didn’t have to pedal at all up to 15.5mph. Those bikes are still road legal. Since then, throttles are only permitted in “walk mode”, giving low-speed assistance for wheeling a heavy e-bike.

There's another route to running a road-legal, full throttle EAPC. Manufacturers like Wisper sell brand new, road-legal full-throttle e-bikes that meet EAPC standards. They even offer a service to get your exisitng e-bike. Alternatively, if you want a full-throttle bike that falls outside those rules, you’ll need DVSA approval. 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.

The approval process requires the bike be taken to a specially approved testing centre. If it meets the required standards, you’ll receive a British National Vehicle Approval certificate, printed with your bike’s frame number.

If your e-bike does not conform with the EAPC standards, it is an electric moped or electric motorbike and will need to be covered by a motor insurance policy.

Does e-bike insurance cover battery fires?

No. But if you’re buying a recognised brand from a reputable shop, the risk of battery fire is extremely low. The fires you see in the news are almost always linked to cheap, uncertified batteries bought online, often with poor waterproofing or safety checks. Stick to trusted brands, follow charging instructions, and you don’t need to worry.

Could e-bike insurance ever become compulsory?

It's extremely unlikely. There is no sign the law will change. In fact, in 2023 the European Court of Justice ruled that EAPCs are not motor vehicles, because they aren’t propelled “exclusively by mechanical power”. The UK shows no appetite to diverge from that view.

The case stemmed from a collision in Belgium, which raised questions over liability. But judges agreed: treating bikes – electric or not – as motor vehicles for insurance purposes would be a backwards step. We agree.

How cycle insurance helps e-bike riders

Cycle insurance isn’t just about theft, though that’s a big part of it. Comprehensive policies like ETA’s cover all road-legal e-bikes (EAPC) as standard.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1. Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
   E-bikes are pricier than regular bikes, and theft is rising fast. Police data shows reported e-bike thefts doubled (up 103%) between 2022 and 2023, and are now 2.5 times higher than in 2021. ETA aims to settle valid claims quickly – often within days.
2. Battery theft cover
   With replacement batteries often costing £500+, they’re a target for thieves. ETA covers this with no quibble.
3. Cycle Rescue (24/7 breakdown cover)
   Whether it’s a puncture, mechanical failure, or a flat battery, ETA will recover you and your e-bike. It’s included free with ETA insurance, or £24 a year standalone.
4. No devaluation
   Many “new-for-old” promises quietly downgrade over time. ETA’s doesn’t – your e-bike is covered at full value for life.
5. £2m third party cover
   Protects you if you accidentally damage property or injure someone while riding.
6. Flexible storage cover
   ETA is sympathetic to the real-world challenges of bike storage. Whether it’s in a shed, garage, front garden, or even on the street outside your home, you can be covered – with some reasonable conditions around locks and checks (see policy wording for details or give us a call).

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Alternatives to e-bike insurance: locks, registration and trackers

A new generation of angle grinder-resistant locks can withstand attack for long enough to defeat sopme thieves. Registration schemes are a clever idea, but just look at car theft: even with VINs and numberplates, only about one in four stolen vehicles is recovered, and bikes are easier for thieves to fence. Organised gangs are increasingly exporting stolen e-bikes across Europe.

High-tech deterrents like GPS tracking are promising. VanMoof even offered bike hunters to recover stolen machines, or replace them if they couldn’t. But none of these solutions can match the peace of mind of a solid insurance policy.

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Can I insure an e-bike if I don't have a shed?

Storing an e-bike at home can be one of the trickiest parts of ownership. Not everyone has the luxury of a garage or a lockable shed, and insurers aren’t always sympathetic – many impose onerous and impractical rules about where and how you keep your bike. At the ETA we take a more realistic approach. If your only option is a front garden that’s open to the street, we’ll still cover you for theft and vandalism, provided your e-bike is locked through the frame to an immovable object with a lock that meets the right standard, and that you’re able to check on it at least once every 18 hours – think of it as tending to a slightly needy houseplant. Because of the additional risk, a higher overnight excess applies.

If you have a back garden secured by a locked gate and not overlooked, the requirements are simpler: just secure the frame to an immovable object with the correct lock. Where a garden is overlooked or more easily accessible, the same 18-hour check-in and higher excess applies.

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For sheds and garages, we only ask that the building is locked; unlike other insurers, we don’t dictate what kind of lock you use on the door, and once your bike is inside you don’t need to lock it to anything. The only exception is if your e-bike is visible through a window, in which case we ask you to cover it with a blanket or similar. Stored this way, the standard 5% excess applies. And for those with a cargo e-bike, where the only option may be leaving it locked up on the street outside your home, you’ll still be covered – as long as the bike is secured through the frame to an immovable object with an approved lock, you’re able to check on it every 18 hours, and you accept the higher excess.

Is every e-bike insurance provider in the UK the same?

On the surface, e-bike insurance policies can look remarkably similar – they all promise to cover theft, damage, and sometimes third-party liability. But once you dig into the details, the differences quickly become clear. Some providers offer “new-for-old” replacement, but only if your bike is less than a year or two old; after that, you may find your pride and joy valued at a fraction of what it costs to replace. Others exclude e-bikes altogether, or apply restrictions that make real-world use almost impossible.

Storage rules are another sticking point. Some insurers expect you to keep your e-bike locked inside a shed with a specific type of lock, chained to an immovable object, even when it’s already indoors. That might make sense on paper, but it’s a world away from the lived reality of owning and storing an e-bike, especially in British homes where space is tight.

Breakdown cover is another area where policies differ. While ETA pioneered Cycle Rescue – the UK’s first 24/7 breakdown recovery service for cyclists – few insurers if any offer the same service. For heavier and bulkier e-bikes, that support can make the difference between getting home safely and being stranded miles away.

So no, not all e-bike insurance is the same. As with many things, the devil is in the detail. It pays to look closely at what’s included – and what’s not – before you decide which policy gives you the protection and peace of mind you need.

The ETA has been judged the UK’s most ethical provider by The Good Shopping Guide – and its policies are designed with e-bikes in mind.

Will insurance help if I suffer a breakdown on my e-bike?

It can do, yes. When we launched the UK’s first breakdown cover for cyclists back in the 1990s, there were very few e-bikes on the roads. Fast forward 30 years and our 24/7 recovery service makes more sense that ever – especially for larger and heavier e-bikes. If you suffer a mechanical problem, puncture or even a flat battery, we will arrange for you and your e-bike to be recovered. Cycle Rescue costs only £24 per year – or is included free with ETA cycle insurance.
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Still confused about e-bike rules or insurance?

You’re not alone. Regulations can feel unnecessarily complicated. The ETA has been providing specialist cycle insurance longer than anyone else in the UK, and we’re always happy to help. Call us on 0333 000 1234 with any questions.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 35 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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