Insurance and lock for a bike under £400

[novice2023]

I bought a new Liv Flourish 3 XS bike for £399. So it is not an expensive one and XS frame is probably not very popular.
It will be stored inside a gated estate, outside our house, locked to metal fence around front garden.
The bike will be used for school runs (with bike trailer attached), doing under around 3 miles a day.
Would you recommend getting insurance?
I have a 13-year old Kryptonite Kryptolock Series 2 Sold Secure Silver.
Is this lock good enough or shall I get a new, more modern, more secure lock? If yes, which one would you recommend?

 

[Big T]

Yes, worth getting it insured, all my bikes are insured under my house insurance. I would go for at least a Gold standard lock, there are Diamond standard ones available now. You may find that insurers insist on a certain standard of lock, especially if the bike is kept outside. Kryptonite and OnGuard are good quality, I own both.

 

[adamhearn]

A bike left outside will deteriorate much faster than one kept indoors in a shed/garage/house.

Leaving a bike outside is also the least safe location but maybe it's fine where you are/it is. I'd go as large/secure as possible (would ideally have two of different styles if possible).

House insurance is a definite.

 

[chris667]

The question to ask yourself is how much will it cost you?

I suspect you won't get bike-specific theft insurance for a bike locked up in a garden. If you did, it would be a lot.

Maybe you'd be better keeping your Kryptonite lock for runs out and have a really, really strong ground anchor and motorbike chain so you can lock it at two points? D lock through the railings, ground anchor concreted in with the chain. Should be enough to deter anyone without an angle grinder.

 

[fossyant]

Extend your house insurance, get a 'gold' certified d lock with a loop of cable for the front wheel, and get a bike cover as a minimum.

 

[novice2023]

Many thanks @adamhearn and @chris667. Will try to keep the bike indoors.

 

[novice2023]

Many thanks @fossyant . Will do.

 

[novice2023]

What about Bikeregister https://www.bikeregister.com/?
Is it worth paying for their bike markings?
I came across Bikeregister via Matin Lewis website.

 

[vickster]

What about Bikeregister https://www.bikeregister.com/?
Is it worth paying for their bike markings?
I came across Bikeregister via Matin Lewis website.

The Met police often do it for free, no need to pay
https://www.bikeregister.com/events

 

[Bristolian]

Is it worth paying for their bike markings? I don't know but you can register your bike for free on-line so I guess that makes it value for money (?) Will it make the bike less attractive to thieves? I doubt it. Will it improve your chances of getting the bike back if its stolen? I have no idea, but I'd like to think so.

Personally, I paid £19.99 for their permanent marking kit and did the job myself. It's easy to do.

 

[oldwheels]

Locking it to railings is only as good as the strength and immovability of the railings. Better check that.

 

[Cycleops]

Foregoing advice is excellent. Just never underestimate bike thieves.

 

[Peter Salt]

Silver standard lock is (legally) perfectly fine for this value bike. Insurance should be cheap and no need to buy a better lock, so why not?

 

[vickster]

Locking it to railings in London May not be sufficient for an insurance company whatever the lock unfortunately, call your home insurers and ask, only they’ll know. I’d get a secure and weatherproof Asgard shed fitted in the front garden if possible (check such will be sufficient for the insurers)