Cycling - insurance

[Two-Wheels]

So one of the consistent pieces of advice put my way after my accident recently is to get myself insurance. Had a look & it's not on the house insurance, only theft from my shed.

For anyone who isn't aware of my situation - basically I was clattered by a car while on my bike. I'm having to go solicitor route & injuries include nerve damage & I'm also off work - all ongoing.
To give a little background on me - I don't take part in races, group rides etc. I'm a fairweather rider (I know, booo, hisssss) who gets out on his own on a Sunday if weather allows & a Saturday if work allows. Only just started breaking the 40mile/ride barrier. I don't use my bike to commute to work. Maybe that'll change one day with these petrol prices but for now it's an I don't.

So two names that kept getting put my way were British Cycling & CyclingUK.
I contacted BC to ask if they could advise me on my situation should I join. Contacted them 2 Sunday's ago, they responded the next Morning to say obviously they can't help direct as it would've happened before joining but yes they could advise.
Contacted CyclingUK yesterday. Fair enough it's still early days but no response yet.

CyclingUK seem a tad dearer, but it's in & about the same price really. Just a few quid difference.

I tried Googling a bit of feedback on them both to try & see if it'd help with a decision but all the threads I pulled seemed quite dated. They tended to say BC was more for racing (which obviously I don't do) but as I say, they were dated threads & just because they may have been or are more tailored towards racing, that doesn't mean they're not (or are) suitable for my situation.

So in a nutshell, which to go for and why?

 

[vickster]

I've been with BC Ride for years (I'm a recreational/leisure/utility cyclist, do the very very occasional sportive, doing one in June actually). You don't have to race, they have different levels of cover. Their Halfords discount has been useful over the years.
They handled my PI injury case back in 2014 (took forever to sort but not down to their legal team, more my ongoing injuries).
No reason to change. CUK use Slater & Gordon - not heard great things about them in general and I'm not a fan of PI solicitors who advertise on daytime TV (That said I recently saw a LD ad)

I'm not really interested in the politics of such organisations, you may be. Also, read up about how they handle third party and injury cases and indemnify etc

 

[Alex321]

Obviously, no insurance you take out now is going to help much with your current problems.

How long until your household insurance is due for renewal? It might be better value to look for household insurance that does give the cover you want.

 

[gavroche]

I heard Wiggle do cycling insurance and cheaper than BC but no idea how good they are in a claim.

 

[PaulSB]

I don't know about Cycling UK but would suggest with BC £44 is good value. BC covers all types of cycling not just competitive riding.

What you should weigh up is the choice between using a cycling specialist, BC and CUK, against using a general insurer whose main business, and therefore specialusm, is household cover.

 

[iluvmybike]

So one of the consistent pieces of advice put my way after my accident recently is to get myself insurance. Had a look & it's not on the house insurance, only theft from my shed.

For anyone who isn't aware of my situation - basically I was clattered by a car while on my bike. I'm having to go solicitor route & injuries include nerve damage & I'm also off work - all ongoing.
To give a little background on me - I don't take part in races, group rides etc. I'm a fairweather rider (I know, booo, hisssss) who gets out on his own on a Sunday if weather allows & a Saturday if work allows. Only just started breaking the 40mile/ride barrier. I don't use my bike to commute to work. Maybe that'll change one day with these petrol prices but for now it's an I don't.

So two names that kept getting put my way were British Cycling & CyclingUK.
I contacted BC to ask if they could advise me on my situation should I join. Contacted them 2 Sunday's ago, they responded the next Morning to say obviously they can't help direct as it would've happened before joining but yes they could advise.
Contacted CyclingUK yesterday. Fair enough it's still early days but no response yet.

CyclingUK seem a tad dearer, but it's in & about the same price really. Just a few quid difference.

I tried Googling a bit of feedback on them both to try & see if it'd help with a decision but all the threads I pulled seemed quite dated. They tended to say BC was more for racing (which obviously I don't do) but as I say, they were dated threads & just because they may have been or are more tailored towards racing, that doesn't mean they're not (or are) suitable for my situation.

So in a nutshell, which to go for and why?

No-one anywhere will give you insurance for anything that has already occured that's closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
CUK membership gives you third party public liability only NOT personal accident or bike theft/damage. CUK membership will get a discount for certain insurers

 

[Two-Wheels]

I've been with BC Ride for years (I'm a recreational/leisure/utility cyclist, do the very very occasional sportive, doing one in June actually). You don't have to race, they have different levels of cover. Their Halfords discount has been useful over the years.
They handled my PI injury case back in 2014 (took forever to sort but not down to their legal team, more my ongoing injuries).
No reason to change. CUK use Slater & Gordon - not heard great things about them in general and I'm not a fan of PI solicitors who advertise on daytime TV (That said I recently saw a LD ad)

I'm not really interested in the politics of such organisations, you may be. Also, read up about how they handle third party and injury cases and indemnify etc

Ok silly question time. What's the difference? https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership

I'm thinking that I'd be classified as the £44/yr rather than the £40/yr for what I use my bike for? (leisure).
Though not sure what utility is - so maybe I could qualify for the £40 one?

Halfords I'm not too bad as I have a trade card so not sure how their discount stacks up?

Alex - November so we're a bit off yet. Contacted my Union too & was surprised I had no sort of legal cover. I'm sure I kept getting letters and emails about it. Apparently they only offer me a solicitor with my membership, but from what I see doesn't specialise in cycling accidents?

 

[Two-Wheels]

No-one anywhere will give you insurance for anything that has already occured that's closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
CUK membership gives you third party public liability only NOT personal accident or bike theft/damage. CUK membership will get a discount for certain insurers

That's fair enough and I wouldn't expect them to.

The point I made about advice was basically in line with my concerns - insurance direct will pay me as little as possible, solicitor will take from me as much as possible. I may be wrong on either or both of those concerns.
So could either advise me as to - it would be better to go insurance direct, or it would be better to get legal representation.

BC have already said they could do this.
CUK are yet to respond.

 

[vickster]

Ok silly question time. What's the difference? https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership

I'm thinking that I'd be classified as the £44/yr rather than the £40/yr for what I use my bike for? (leisure).
Though not sure what utility is - so maybe I could qualify for the £40 one?

Halfords I'm not too bad as I have a trade card so not sure how their discount stacks up?

Alex - November so we're a bit off yet. Contacted my Union too & was surprised I had no sort of legal cover. I'm sure I kept getting letters and emails about it. Apparently they only offer me a solicitor with my membership, but from what I see doesn't specialise in cycling accidents?

You need the £44 ride cover as a leisure cyclist rather than a commuter/utility cyclist as the £40 doesn;t cover liability or legal for leisure rides, only utility and commuting

 

[kingrollo]

Interesting thread. I insured myself (not my bike) with pedalon a few years back. If I had a serious injury or died I would get a benefit style payout (not compensation recovered through a 3rd party)

I've read a number of threads over the years where they think all cycle insurance is the same. People with big standard theft insurance thinking it covers them if they fall off and smash or if covers loss of earnings if they injure themselves.

Make sure the risks you want covered are covered. Don't assume.

 

[alex_cycles]

You need the £44 ride cover as a leisure cyclist rather than a commuter/utility cyclist as the £40 doesn;t cover liability or legal for leisure rides, only utility and commuting

Although it should also be pointed out that the BC cover doesn't give you any coverage for personal accident. If it's someone else's fault, their legal team is meant to be very good. But if it's your fault, you are only covered for 3rd party liabilities, no cover for your own injuries or equipment (unless you go for Race Gold, which isn't what you need).

 

[iluvmybike]

There are 3 things that insurance needs to cover and if taking out insurance then check they do cover all :
3rd party public liability - this is in case you cause damage or worse to a 3rd party or their property
The bike - theft, damage by 3rd party or crash
Yourself - personal accident resulting in injury or worse

 

[Deleted member 26715]

There are 3 things that insurance needs to cover and if taking out insurance then check they do cover all :
3rd party public liability - this is in case you cause damage or worse to a 3rd party or their property
The bike - theft, damage by 3rd party or crash
Yourself - personal accident resulting in injury or worse

That is your criteria, not everybody will be the same

 

[kingrollo]

There are 3 things that insurance needs to cover and if taking out insurance then check they do cover all :
3rd party public liability - this is in case you cause damage or worse to a 3rd party or their property
The bike - theft, damage by 3rd party or crash
Yourself - personal accident resulting in injury or worse

Yep - lots of people think personal accident comes as standard. I don't think BC ride for example covers it.

 

[iluvmybike]

That is your criteria, not everybody will be the same

Indeed - but sometimes folk don't quite realise what they are covering for . Membership of CUK is often recommended but that covers 3rd party and help with any legal cases. If you want yourself/bike covered for accident or injury then you need an additional insurance. Often touted is cover under house insurance but that is usually just for theft of bike