When I was only eight years old disaster struck: my bike was stolen. Thankfully it turned up sometime later – some jerk from the village had decided that it looked fun to ride. To my annoyance the police just gave him a caution. Had the bike not been recovered I am sure that my dad would have gone and claimed on the household insurance policy and we would have had the money to go and buy me a new bike.
The great news is, the best mountain bike insurance, or any bike cover for that matter, doesn’t just get your money back if you have your machine is stolen. It covers a whole host of things.
For example, damage. First, damage to your bike, and second, damage to you.
Damage to your bike
It’s one of the most frustrating things to have your bike crumpled in a crash. Even just the simple things like a buckled wheel (I notice mine needs a bit of an overhaul…) can be a pain in the backside. And I’m not talking being a bit saddle sore either. After a crash, the bike may need completely replacing, or it may need a trip to the bike shop for a fix up. There are certain things that I wouldn’t do without the right equipment, and bike mechanics are set up for such things – I for instance don’t own a bicycle repair stand though it is something I need to invest in. Problem is that bike shops do charge upwards of £50 for their services, but your insurance will cover that.
Damage to yourself
Most people don’t realise just what they can get for their money. Insurance will get you home from a cycling holiday. Insurance covers damage and loss. But it will also cover you. Not just will it cover private health care, but it will also cover you for such things as a chipped tooth, or even loss of earnings should you be off work for some time.
So how much does this kind of insurance cost? Not as much as you might think!
Just £250 a year will cover you for all these items, and more besides. Just make sure that you go with a specialized bike insurer, and read the small print.
Happy cycling.