Cycle Insurance for Northern Ireland Residents

Cyclists in Northern Ireland have at least two online insurers willing to offer cycle insurance to residents of Northern Ireland. Their policies are very flexible, offering cover for cycle racing if required. It's also possible to extend the policy to provide cover for cxycling holidays in Europe or worldwide. Another add on is cover whilst the cycle is being carried in or on a motor vehicle.

Even if you only use your cycle at the weekends, it’s worth getting it properly insured by a specialist. Before buying a specialised policy it's worth checking out any existing home contents insurance policies that you might have. Most of them provide some cover for bicycles but it's worth checking the small print. Many home contents policies will not cover items like cycles if they are over a certain value or they are taken away from the home. If you take your cycles out at weekends, they may also not be covered if you transport them on a car rack – so check with your home insurer. Specialist cycle insurance companies offer an in vehicle option which also covers your cycles whilst ‘on’ a vehicle rack (as long as you abide by the necessary security requirements).

Do you race or compete with your bike?. Specialist insurers offer a racing option for cyclists that participate in competitive bicycle sports. They also offer a worldwide cover option, so if you do take your bicycle abroad, they have an insurance option that works for you. Of course you can choose UK only or EU cover if you don't plan of going that far abroad!.

It’s also worth being aware of the need to have liability cover, so that in the event that you cause an accident or damage to another road user, you would be protected against any expensive third party claims.

Latest statistics suggest that in England alone a cycle is stolen every 71 seconds, that's over 440,000 bicycles stolen in a year and that's only England !. With some of the lastest mountain and racing bikes costing more than a decent second hand car you've got to be a brave person to leave the bike uninsured. Stories such as that of a policeman writing down details of a stolen bike on a yellow post-it note don't inspire us with confidence that cycle crime is top of the police crime solving list.