Protect my garage.

[brand]

Now I live rural but I think would be sensible to protect the contents. Specially at night when the neighbours and myself are asleep.
There is a light (PIR) but lock would probably break off easy. So better locking system to begin and an Alarm. Not sure I am happy with PIR. As they seem to breakdown after while. Locking bike to floor won't work as I will forget.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

PIR lights are really considerate way to help thieves and scumbags see what they are doing.

 

[ColinJ]

Big dog?

 

[Cold]

If you forget to lock the bike to the floor what's to stop you forgetting to lock the garage and set the alarm.

 

[Big Nick]

Try this
http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/shedsecurity

 

[sidevalve]

Items to consider -
1 - don't secure padlock fittings with screws they are a waste of time and can be yanked out with a small bar - use bolts.
2 - make sure any hinges are on the INSIDE else they can just unscew them.
3 - PIRs are as above just a good friendly way to give the thieves light to work by.
4 - use at least two padlocks and imagine you wanted to cut them, can you get a pair of bolt croppers to the hasp ? If so they are useless - get a better one with a sheathed hasp [ they won't be cheap and neither will the fittings].
5 - buy and fit a remote shed alarm [about £30 on E Bay]. The alarm sits in the house and you will hear it - the cheap squeaky toys from B&Q that live in the shed etc are just that - and keep either a pick axe handle or baseball bat by the door [the choice is yours I don't play baseball].
6 - locking the bike down inside is a dead end as once inside they have all the time in the world [and nice and private too] and ANY chain can be cut with big croppers [certainly if they can be braced against the floor].
7 - If you have a window in there fit a grill or at least a couple of bars to make too small to climb through [and make sure it can't be pulled out}.

This lot will NOT be cheap and means a fair bit of work but it's up to you - how much do you REALLY value your bike.

 

[vickster]

And read the terms and conditions of your insurance policy...

 

[Big Nick]

Nothing will stop the 'determined' thief but fortunately most aren't and are more opportunist looking for easy pickings.

A good quality door/lock, a shed alarm and a decent lock to secure your bike to an anchor point will put most off

 

[brand]

Items to consider -
1 - don't secure padlock fittings with screws they are a waste of time and can be yanked out with a small bar - use bolts.
2 - make sure any hinges are on the INSIDE else they can just unscew them.
3 - PIRs are as above just a good friendly way to give the thieves light to work by.
4 - use at least two padlocks and imagine you wanted to cut them, can you get a pair of bolt croppers to the hasp ? If so they are useless - get a better one with a sheathed hasp [ they won't be cheap and neither will the fittings].
5 - buy and fit a remote shed alarm [about £30 on E Bay]. The alarm sits in the house and you will hear it - the cheap squeaky toys from B&Q that live in the shed etc are just that - and keep either a pick axe handle or baseball bat by the door [the choice is yours I don't play baseball].
6 - locking the bike down inside is a dead end as once inside they have all the time in the world [and nice and private too] and ANY chain can be cut with big croppers [certainly if they can be braced against the floor].
7 - If you have a window in there fit a grill or at least a couple of bars to make too small to climb through [and make sure it can't be pulled out}.

This lot will NOT be cheap and means a fair bit of work but it's up to you - how much do you REALLY value your bike.

All sound advice with the exception of the PIR light. A permanent on light is no deterrent. One that comes on if you go near the garage attracts attention, specially if you live rural. As my neighbour said "one of your lights kept coming on last night checked but couldn't see anything".
What do you reckon to these alarms particularly the lock alarm
http://www.easyalarms.co.uk/shed_garden_garage_alarms.asp
And this was a silly (at best) remark
"pick axe handle or baseball bat"
You are supplying evidence for the prosecution.
PS long handled items can catch on door frames when you need them.

 

[brand]

If you forget to lock the bike to the floor what's to stop you forgetting to lock the garage and set the alarm.

The alarm going off when I get home will be obvious reminder!!
I do occasionally forget to lock the door, even left my wallet on the chopping block by the garage door for a weekend. But I am far more likely to forget to lock the bike to the floor.....unless I trip over the bolt!

 

[brand]

And read the terms and conditions of your insurance policy...

I cannot get them to put a note on my policy that I have epilepsy they say there is no need.
I can act a little irrationally (no I don't go cycling) but leaving the doors unlocked even with the keys in the outside is not unusual. I have no idea where I stand in that scenario. All the NFU manager says is we take it on a case by case situation?

 

[vickster]

Well given all insurance companies will try to wriggle out of paying up if they possibly can, I expect you may find yourself uninsured if it's not documented on your policy and premiums reflect

 

[brand]

Well given all insurance companies will try to wriggle out of paying up if they possibly can, I expect you may find yourself uninsured if it's not documented on your policy and premiums reflect

I will try again and at least make sure record date and time of request. I doubt it will make a difference to premiums as they will have no way to quantify it?

 

[vickster]

I will try again and at least make sure record date and time of request. I doubt it will make a difference to premiums as they will have no way to quantify it?

When you say the manager do you mean someone local or head office...I'd try speaking to someone senior at the latter. Check that the call is being recorded. Normally if you have some medical condition that might affect policy or claim, they can adjust the premium accordingly using an algorithm of some sort, like how they calculate premiums based on age, postcode, claims history etc

 

[brand]

When you say the manager do you mean someone local or head office...I'd try speaking to someone senior at the latter. Check that the call is being recorded. Normally if you have some medical condition that might affect policy or claim, they can adjust the premium accordingly using an algorithm of some sort, like how they calculate premiums based on age, postcode, claims history etc

Both the head office by phone and the manager who then checked with head office. But they said there was nothing in there policies to take epilepsy into account.