Bike Insurance

I haven't heard back on whether they are confusing it with the NY 3000 or not.

I wrote a bit more in the locks thread.

I was hit by a car this morning on my way to work in Chiswick. Been to hospital and dealt with the police. Feel wrecked. The drivers insurance will cover my totaled bike but I have to go through my insurer Evans Cycles first. Not once did Evans ask if I'm ok. Very nice! Here's hoping they're better at putting claims through quickly.

Shit, Jo. What happened? 'Wrecked' doesn't sound good--hope you're not badly injured? Heal up soon!

Another recommendation from me about Cycleguard. Just made my second claim in 2 years. No excess paid ever, no drama, full payout. And they lowered my premium this year. Just keep your receipts innit.

so after having a nightmare last night about my bike being crushed under a car i woke up thinking i really must get some insurance!!!!

so which is the best insurance....? never had an expensive bike before, so never bothered with it.

this is probably a stupid question, but how do you go about getting insurance for a custom built bike - it is worth almost 3 times what it cost me (my bro inlaw built it for me and did an amazing job).... how do i prove it's value without a receipt? will they just accept it's worth that?

http://www.lfgss.com/thread16232.html

depends on the company. mine is on my dads house insurance, he just asked me how much it was worth, they didn't need receipts or nuffink

mine is on the household insurance

they might ask for receipts etc if you made a claim...

I used Butterworths and they are happy to cover custom jobs, just need to know how much it's worth.
My neighbour used them as well to insure a 4k custom built mountain bike quite easily. If you're in the LCC you get a discount and free 3rd party insurance I think.

Yep,
I posted it in this threadL
http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938-9.html

And wrote:

This from Sold Secure:

The product called Krytonite Evolution Mini was removed the middle of last year from our approved listings as the product was not put In for annual audit , there is a new product by Krytonite called Kryptolok series 2 mini which is a small D shackle which will be on our approved data base shortly, The product you inquire about (THE FAGH) was pedal cycle silver rated

But my insurance company (ETA) said the Fagh are on the list so their fine. I think they're confusing it with the NY 3000 though.

I posted (a small essay) shortly after:

http://www.lfgss.com/post1272690-463.html

Seems the best Kryptonite locks will break your insurance policy. You could rely on Kryptonite's (carefully worded and very strict) guarantee, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Does anyone know of an insurer that accepts Fagh Minis or Evo Minis? It's a main criteria of mine, I'd love to hear.

ETA just got back to me say the Fagh Mini isn't on their list, which I told them. The Evo is though because it was approved my Sold Secure.
HOWEVER, Sold Secure have told me that the Evo isn't because it wasn't put through for audit because a new product called Kryptolok series 2 mini will be approved soon.

Just get a lock that's on their list even though we know it's inferior to the Kyrpto's and use both. Expensive but worth it.

I agree, use both.

Seems the Series 2 is hard to source in the UK (guess it's new?), you've got to order from the US. Also, the steel might be slightly less hardened than the Evo, not confirmed.

Could always use a Fagh Mini + NY Standard combo, get some exercise.

Still think we should start a petition. Crazy that the insurers put our bikes at greater risk.

Oh, and the 2nd post about Kryptonite and insurance in the "locks that work" thread:

http://www.lfgss.com/post1274259-474.html

Hopefully the last. There's obvious crossover, but I'll try to keep the threads separate.

As I mention, if anyone has more concrete details on the Kryptonite guarantee terms & conditions, please do post them, or PM. Despite the number of hoops you have to jump, how do they compare to a regular bicycle insurance policy (eg. the Butterworth policy with LCC)? What's included, and what isn't?

[Edit]

Second thought: One could always buy a cheap Series 2 (or anything cheap that complied), leverage it yourself (eg. with a car jack), use the non-compliant Fagh Mini when out and about, and in the event of a theft, just send in your carefully stored compliant remnants.

Obviously, not that I'd suggest actually doing this ... just thought it was a nice fiction for a possible world.

Sent a comment to Sold Secure, there response shows they probably won't be putting the Fahg mini on the approved list, they even suggest it's an old obsolete model when it's not. Will send a comment to http://www.kryptonitelock.com/CustomerService/Contact.aspx and see what they say.

Its says this on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_lock#cite_note-ctc-0 "Each model of lock tested requires an initial payment and ongoing annual payments by the manufacturer of several thousand pounds."

Message I sent:

Why is the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini [18mm] U-lock not on your approved list? This is the lock people in London have found works, it also gets great reviews. See Locks that work thread on this forum:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/new-york-fahgettaboudit-mini-16565
http://www.slate.com/id/2140083

Thanks, Paul

Their Reply:

Dear Paul the named Kryptonite sold secure approved products can be found on our web site soldsecure.com,go to approved products and look under gradings bicycle gold, there is a product called New York Fahgettaboudit chain and disc lock the disc lock is called EV series 4 there is also a disc lock called New York, If you need further information suggest phone Kryptonite 01908 326 000, the item you have might be an old product no longer approved, regards

Sold Secure

Tel: +44 (0)1327 264687
Fax: +44 (0)1327 264686
E-Mail: admin@soldsecure.com
Web Site: [http://www.soldsecure.com]](http://www.soldsecure.com/)

I think we should hound them, get it back on the list. FFS. Listen to the people!

So even though my girlfriend got evans cycle insurance with her bike and a lock that on their own website is advertised as sold secure silver rating:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kryptonite/evolution-mini-lock-with-standard-bracket-ec018762?query=kryptonite%20mini

She isn't actually covered with the insurance now that the evo mini has been taken off the list....have I got that right?

Good news from Kryptonite:

Message I sent:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:03 AM
To: Letters,
Subject: Customer Service - New York Fahgettaboudit® U-lock

The New York Fahgettaboudit® U-lock is your best lock for use in London, but unlike the NY STD U-lock is not on approved list of most bike insurers, is there any hope that it will be rated by Sold Secure, Thatcham etc. in the UK in future?

Kryptonite's Reply:

I believe we are in the process of doing that now

Melissa McPherson
Customer Service Representative
Kryptonite
Ingersoll Rand
Residential Solutions
437 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
Tel: (781) 232-1902
Fax: (781) 821-0780
www.kryptonitelock.com
http://unbreakable-bonds.blogspot.com

KRYPTONITE

So even though my girlfriend got evans cycle insurance with her bike and a lock that on their own website is advertised as sold secure silver rating:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kryptonite/evolution-mini-lock-with-standard-bracket-ec018762?query=kryptonite%20mini

She isn't actually covered with the insurance now that the evo mini has been taken off the list....have I got that right?

Sounds about right.
Best contact them to make sure.

Or hound Kyrpto to make sure they defo get this done.
Lazy reply from them. Not great customer service but sounds promising.

Spoke to evans cycle insurance and they said that although the evo mini is no longer on sold secure list on their site it is still counted on their approved locks list as it was/is rated silver secure.
So that's good news.

Spoke to evans cycle insurance and they said that although the evo mini is no longer on sold secure list on their site it is still counted on their approved locks list as it was/is rated silver secure.
So that's good news.

That is good news. Perhaps, perhaps, other insurers will do the same?

I've emailed Evans in any case, asked them to amend the product description.

... I wonder if they'll agree to cover the Fahgettaboudit Mini (even if never rated)? I'll ask.

Or hound Kyrpto to make sure they defo get this done.

I'll hound them too. An ETA would be nice.

The moral of the story seems to be that insurance covers you for just about everything.... except what's just happened!

I now live with the Mrs (3 bikes) and the cat (0 bikes), which means that I can use grown-up insurance- something I had been looking forward to.

However- I keep getting declined by insurance companies due to the value of the bikes.

I've now turned to only insuring the bike I ride daily out of the house, but as the others still have to be covered for theft from the house I am still getting declined.

This is nuts! I don't want to have to pay £1,500 a year for contents insurance!

My reply from Krypto

The NY Fahgettaboudit Ulock has not been tested for Sold Secure. We are hoping to get it tested sometime this year.

Regards,
Donna
Customer Service Representative
Kryptonite
Ingersoll Rand
Residential Solutions
437 Turnpike St
Canton, MA 02021
Tel: (800) 729-5625
Fax: (781) 821-0780
www.kryptonitelock.com
http://unbreakable-bonds.blogspot.com

Vague but promising.

Yes, I got the same reply. I hear Sold Secure reconsider their list every month, but no idea how long an application takes. An Autumn/Winter appearance perhaps? Fingers crossed.

if anyone has more concrete details on the Kryptonite guarantee terms & conditions, please do post them, or PM.

For those who are interested, here are the details of Kryptonite's "Anti-Theft Protection Offer", as listed in the leaflet included with their 2010 New York Fahgettaboudit® Lock.

**KRYPTONITE ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION : TERMS AND CONDITIONS
**
If the bicycle is stolen because of the opening or breaking of the Kryptonite lock **by force **.

£2500 limit in the UK

Within 15 days of lock purchase, send Kryptonite:

(a) Lock registration form
(b) Copy of your lock receipt
(c) Copy of your bicycle receipt OR signed and dated authorised dealer appraisal of market value, not including accessories.
(d) Proof of bicycle registration with a national bicycle register (unclear, may not be required for UK customers)

All should be sent registered mail.

In event of theft:

(1) Report to local police within 72 hours
(2) Mail notice of the theft to Kyrptonite WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE THEFT (registered mail)
(3) Report the theft to your insurance company (no time given)
(4) Send the following to Kryptonite within 90 days:

      [a] broken lock (required - no lock, no payment)
      ** at least one key
      [c] police report
      [d] evidence you have notified your insurance company (if covered)

Kryptonite requires proof of payment from your insurance company prior to paying your deductible.

[B]LIMITATIONS**

Protection expires after ONE YEAR from postmark date of registration.

(1) Kryptonite will not be liable if the frame of the bicycle or the object to which it was locked was dismantled or cut, or if the lock was not broken or opened by forceful means.

(2) Protection does not apply to a theft where the bicycle is subsequently recovered, to vandalism, or theft of personal property. The bicycle is only covered in the country of registration

(3) It can be transferred to a new bicycle.

(4) The maximum amount payable to one individual is limited, regardless of how many locks or bicycles that individual has registered.

It doesn't seem that complicated, as long as you get the paperwork off quickly after buying, and do the kinds of things you'd have to do anyway for your insurance company in the event of a theft. Just as long as the lock has been forced (does lock picking count?), and the thieves have left bits of it lying around, you should be covered. That's covered for "deductibles" only, and not the accessories.

Certainly not a substitute for proper insurance, if you want full cover, but perhaps a handy extra.

has anyone else had trouble with wheels being classed as accessories on their insurance?