I don't have storage. Can I insure a bike?
September 18, 2024
If you don’t have the luxury of a garage or easily accessible shed, you don’t need us to tell you how tricky it can be to safely store a bike.
Whatever you ride, you’re far more likely to cycle if getting to your bike isn’t a massive faff. So it's unfortunate that many cycle insurers have strict rules about how and where you can store your bicycle at home.
By contrast, here at the ETA we’ve always been more sympathetic towards these storage challenges.
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Front gardens
If you store your bicycle or cargo bike in a front garden that’s accessible to the public, we’ll cover it against theft and vandalism on condition you secure it through its frame to an immovable object using the appropriate standard of lock, and you’re able to check on the bike at least once every 18 hours. It’s important to note that when you store your bike in this way, a higher ‘overnight excess’ of 20% (min £100 and capped at £500) applies because it’s been left in an area where access can be achieved without force.
Back gardens
If your garden is secured by a locked gate and isn’t overlooked, we simply ask that it’s secured through its frame to an immovable object using the appropriate standard of lock. If the garden is more easily accessible or overlooked, we’ll still cover it, but you’ll need to be able to check on it at least once every 18 hours (and the higher excess applies).
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Sheds and garages
Your shed or garage will need to be locked, but unlike other cycle insurance providers, we don’t specify what type of lock you use. And once your bike is inside, we don’t require you to lock it to anything. However, if it’s visible through a window you will need to cover the bike with a blanket or similar. When you store your bike in this way, the standard excess of 5% applies.
On the street outside your house
If you ride a cargo bike, or are short on space, your only storage option may be the street where you live. ETA cycle insurance will cover you if you secure your bike through its frame to an immovable object in your street as long as you follow our lock requirements, are able to check on the bike at least once every 18 hours, and understand that a higher excess applies.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 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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Information correct at time of publication.
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