Insurance - tips/proof of bike purchase?

[oxford_guy]

I need to sort out some insurance for my bike *and* the flat I'm renting, which I share with a friend. I've heard that specific bike insurance often isn't worth it, but was wondering:

1) Which general home contents insurers are good for bike insurance (i.e. will pay out without imposing ridiculous conditions) whilst still being not overly expensive?

2) Whether the fact that I can't find any proof of my bike purchase (i.e. receipt) will be a problem? I've contacted the bike shop where I bought it from, in case they had records, but their hard disc crashed last year and lost all older sales data... Does anyone have any tips for proving ownership?

I was also thinking of tagging the bike with an Immobitag http://www.immobitag.com/uk/ to aid recovery, if the bike is stolen - I actually had my bike stolen recently, but amazingly recovered it more or less unharmed (long story), but actually *proving* that it was my bike was quite tricky!

Thanks

 

[Morrisette]

M&S has been mentioned on here as good insurance (I think)

Any photographs of you on/with the bike might prove you've had it a while - specially if they were dated?

 

[oxford_guy]

M&S has been mentioned on here as good insurance (I think)

Any photographs of you on/with the bike might prove you've had it a while - specially if they were dated?

I guess I could do that old thing of having me photographed with the day's newspaper, with the date clearly visible..

 

[punkypossum]

Can you register the frame number on the manufacturers website? I know Trek do it, not sure about others...

 

[spence]

Yep M&S, they cover up to £4000 unspecified. They will also cover custom builds, not just off the shelf stuff.

Most good bike shops will do you a valuation report for a few quid detailing the bike spec and replacement cost. This along with some recent photos should satisfy the insurance in the event of a disaster.

 

[oxford_guy]

Can you register the frame number on the manufacturers website? I know Trek do it, not sure about others...

Ridgeback do, but my model (Neutron) is not in the list of possible bikes to register! I only bought it June 2006 too, so its not yonks ago :-(

 

[oxford_guy]

Yep M&S, they cover up to £4000 unspecified. They will also cover custom builds, not just off the shelf stuff.

That's useful to know, does this cover the bike if its locked away from home too (assuming was locked to a fixed object)?

Most good bike shops will do you a valuation report for a few quid detailing the bike spec and replacement cost. This along with some recent photos should satisfy the insurance in the event of a disaster.

Okay, may ask my LBS, they're due to do some repairs to the bike soon anyway...

 

[Hugo15]

I am with M&S. They wrote to me last week to let me know the underwriter was changing from Norwich Union to Axa. Hope this doesn't change the £4k limit for bikes.

 

[Cubist]

Make a note of the serial number on the bottom bracket, then register it with immobilise.com. While you're at it do the same with all your identifiable items, if you want them returning that is!

 

[ed_o_brain]

I've had two datatagged bikes nicked and not got either of them back.

I've not bothered datatagging any bikes since. Just keep the receipts and note down the serial numbers. Also take photos and keep detailed descriptions.

 

[toonlad]

HI I have had home insurance arranged through a broker for years with a company called PaymentShield. They haave always paid out on claims within 24 hours and when I called them about my bike they were really helpful. They advised me on good locks, where I can and cant leave it and all the other clauses. I am yet to make a claim but I feel I have good peace of mind. Good luck sorting something out!

 

[oxford_guy]

I rung about 4 insurance companies so far, including M & S and Norwich Union, but they all seem to have a problem with the fact that I share my rented flat with a friend (who incidentally has her own contents insurance through Adrian Flux, but I've no idea what they're like for bike cover) - they're saying I either need to put her on the policy (which I don't want to do) or go on hers (which she doesn't want to do) - duh!!! What's so difficult about us having our own policies?! Grrr....

I might try Endsleigh, as I remember them being quite flexible about contents insurance back in my student days. Does anyone else know any other insurance companies who have good bike cover, but are also flexible about living arrangements?