E&L Cycle Insurance - Not good

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Bollo

Failed Tech Bro
Location
Winch
Following on from TRC's thread of a few weeks ago, this article in the money section of the Grauniad is worth a read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jun/26/insurance-claim-refused-e-and-l

I've always thought that firms offering dedicated cycle insurance were shocking value, but this story goes to new levels. I think I've seen E&L advertise in Cycle. Perhaps a word with the CTC about one of their advertiser's practices?

Although the poor sod who got caught with this is a student so won't have house insurance, it seems that a few insurers these days are offering bolt-on 'full' (i.e away from the house) cycle protection with their house-and-contents that's much better value. After Howard's suggestion, I had a look at the AXA policy and it seems very reasonable, although I thought the wording was a little vague in places. I guess if there's any doubt, give them a ring.
 

Moodyman

Legendary Member
Disgraceful. Though not surprised as many insurance companies will use every possible reason to refuse paying out.
 

taxing

Well-Known Member
E&L also says that, as someone was apparently equipped with the appropriate apparatus (the key card) to enter the storage area, it is "reasonable to assume they had sufficient equipment to remove the lock without necessitating force".

I don't get this bit at all. They managed to get hold of a key card for a communal shed, so they would be able to make the lock spring open without using force?
 

Will1985

Über Member
Location
South Norfolk
Communal bike sheds in halls are a nightmare - some people put their BSOs in there and can't be bothered to check that the door is secure while others are forced to put their expensive road bikes in and hope that their peers give a damn about security.

The reality is that if you have a bike of any value, you tell the halls to sod off and store it in a bike bag. The fire hazard reason is weak. Last year I stored a couple of TT bikes for cycling club freshers who didn't have the space to keep multiple bikes in their room.
 

Ste T.

Guru
E&L do photographic equipment insurance too and they have an awful reputation on photo forums. Tales like the one in the Grauniad are legion.
 

RyanW

The abominable Bikeman
Location
Ashford, Kent
"in the interest of good customer relations" E&L has offered £1,050 (the amount your bike was insured for, less the excess) and, after some further pushing, the £75 for the police report.

Ie E&L shite them selves at the prospect of an ombudsman ruling and possible a SCC hearing and caved in.

Its amazing how publising a story in the guardian or them finding out your a journalist helps grease the workings of a company like that
 

Soltydog

Legendary Member
Location
near Hornsea
E & L offer various 'speciality' insurances, cycle, pet, horses, caravans are all the ones i've come across over the years & always have a bad reputation. I'd stay clear of them, even if they are considerably cheaper :sad:
 

Paul Topping

New Member
I've just been refused a claim by E & L because I left my bike in a locked garage at work. turns out:
"Any insured bicycle left unattended for more than 12 hours away from home" isn't covered. They weren't the cheapest either, in fact they charged me more to insure my bike than it costs me to insure my brand new motorbike. There is nothing good about them - be warned!
 

User269

Guest
Every year I check out specialist bike insurance when I renew my buildings and contents insurance. Every year the quote for just one of 4 bikes (value £2500) comes back as more than my buildings & contents combined, and that's with all of our bikes included in it. My fully comp car insurance, including full cover for Europe, costs less than insuring my best bike with a 'specialist' firm. This includes through the CTC. I'm rather inclined towards the view that specialist bike insurance is not good value.
 

Brains

Legendary Member
Location
Greenwich
I have been paying about 10% of the value of the bike for the last 10 years to the CTC recommended insurers of 'Butterworth'
They do cover 'away from home' etc and more importantly will pay out the replacement value on the bike no matter what it's age
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I have been paying about 10% of the value of the bike for the last 10 years to the CTC recommended insurers of 'Butterworth'
They do cover 'away from home' etc and more importantly will pay out the replacement value on the bike no matter what it's age
My bikes are covered on my home & contents insurance. Everybody tells me that £500 a year is a lot to pay, but 10% of the value of my bikes would be £500 and I get my house and other possessions thrown in! :thumbsup:
 
Hmmm I am with E&L, I think I will be calling them tomorrow to discuss my arrangements (at home - its inside, away from home - never more than 12 hours unnatended).

I have a 'gold' lock, and it is secured in an attended cyclepoint centre.
 
Hmmm I am with E&L, I think I will be calling them tomorrow to discuss my arrangements (at home - its inside, away from home - never more than 12 hours unnatended).

I have a 'gold' lock, and it is secured in an attended cyclepoint centre.

CHUNTS!

Finally remember to follow up on this and the 12 hour limit does apply when left unnatended, it won't affect me on a normal day but if I get any OT offered I'll have to limit my hours. Apparently this is to discourage people from leaving their bikes for several weeks but I pointed out there is a slight difference between 12 hours and several weeks, even a 24hr limit could be understandable with more 'specialist' policies available if you wanted to leave it for longer.

On a slightly more positive note I do (as the man in the article does) leave my bicycle in a secure area, and although there would have to be 'violent entry' to that secure area for the policy to kick in, as long as it is locked up (with Gold SS) the breaking of the lock would count as the violent entry. Still seems daft though as if it is left on the street for anyone to get access to they count that as ok, but put it in a limited access secure area and it counts against you!

So....

They've offered me £20 of the £44 I paid upfront (to save on interest) so I think I will be changing, can anyone recommennd a new insurance company?
 

Kiwiavenger

im a little tea pot
My home insurance covers my bike (for a small fee) but if i get one over 2K i need to notify them. they did try arguing that my helmet was a personal possesion rather then a bike accesory so wasnt covered under my policy when i claimed, however a quick "when else would i wear my helmet" got them to cough up!
 

Jezston

Über Member
Location
London
Has anyone had any experience making a claim on a stolen or damaged bike through Direct Line?

I'm considering switching to them as they are they only people who are willing to ensure a custom bike in a shared property.
 
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