Bike 2 Work - theft

[Noodley]

A colleague's partner has had his Bike 2 Work bike stolen. It was chained in a locked shed and 'targetted' as whoever stole it ignored the 2 other cheaper bikes which were in the shed and not chained.

My understanding is the bike is owned by the employer and leased to the employee. So who 'owns' the bike as far as making a claim?

 

[summerdays]

I was told that if the bike was stolen whilst in my possession then it was my responsibility and that therefore I must insure the bike, and that I would have to continue to make the payments.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Me too.

 

[addictfreak]

I was told that if the bike was stolen whilst in my possession then it was my responsibility and that therefore I must insure the bike, and that I would have to continue to make the payments.

Thats right summer! It does recommend that you take out adequate insurance incase of theft or other mishap

From Cycle to work site:
Who is responsible for maintaining the bike and what happens if it is stolen?

It is the employee’s responsibility to maintain the bike. Cyclescheme Partner Shops will be able to advise about maintenance and servicing depending on how the bike is used and many shops offer a free first service. If the bike is stolen the employee will be liable for any outstanding monies without any tax exemptions, so it's very important that employees insure the bikes. Safety equipment including Home Office-approved 'Sold Secure' D-locks and cable locks can be obtained as part of the scheme.
What's the best way to insure the bike?

Household policies are usually the cheapest option but employees must ensure that the insurer covers the bike when in storage away from your home, and that the bike's value doesn't exceed the upper claim limit. If the bike can't be covered on a home insurance policy, we recommend Cycleguard (www.cycleguard.co.uk) for insurance (who offer Cyclescheme customers a 10% discount), and the free services provided by Fetch (www.fetch.uk.com) who can expedite personal injury claims.

 

[Noodley]

Thanks, makes sense. Just wanted to check in case there was some clause in the Bike 2 Work scheme.

 

[addictfreak]

It may be best not to tell their employer, as well as having to pay the balance I believe you loose any tax exemption.
Just bite the bullet finish the payments and get another bike. Not strictly totally honest but they are the victim so why make it worse.

Depending on value of bike and type of household insurance they have it may be possible to make a claim.

 

[Norm]

It's a requirement of the scheme here that the employee insures the bike.

That's the important point not addressed above. It depends on the wording of the employer's scheme policy. Every one that I have seen puts the onus on the employee but it doesn't have to be that way.

The official words from the DfT on insurance are:

12. Insurance
Employers and employees need to consider insurance. Even though employers own the cycles and safety equipment, it may be more practical for the employee to have the cycle covered under their own house and contents insurance as long as they advise their insurer that their employer has an interest in the cycle. Alternatively, the employer may consider adding them to their insurance agreement with their own insurers. This needs to be determined and set out in the agreement between the employer and the employee.

No-one can definitively answer the question, Noodley, without sight of the policy documents for the specific scheme under which your colleague's partner was renting the bike.

 

[addictfreak]

'Alternatively, the employer may consider adding them to their insurance agreement with their own insurers.'

I think that is the key phrase from the above text. If an employer has hundreds of employees taking advantage of the scheme I would doubt very much that they would be willing to shoulder the additional insurance cost.
Making the employee liable will not cost them a penny.

But by all means refer to this particular schemes policy to be 100% sure.

 

[Theseus]

Noodley, shouldn't this be in the stolen bikes forum?

 

[beanzontoast]

The key point is that the bike should be insured - whether by the employer or the employee.

 

[MacB]

Noodley, shouldn't this be in the stolen bikes forum?

a fair point, rather sloppy work from someone