Electric Bicycle and E-Bike Insurance

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are becoming more popular. In 2023, nearly 10% of all bikes sold in the UK were e-bikes, a big jump from less than 1% in 2015. This trend is expected to keep growing. Since e-bikes are quite expensive, it's important to protect them from theft and damage. That's where electric bicycle insurance comes in.

What is electric bicycle insurance?

Electric bicycle insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your e-bike.

Since electric bikes can be pricey, having insurance protects you financially if your bike is stolen or accidentally damaged, ensuring you won't have to pay a large sum out of your pocket.

Depending on your policy, you can get coverage for your e-bike both at home and while you're out and about, while cover for personal injury is also available.

How does electric bike insurance work?

Like regular bicycle insurance, electric bike insurance protects you if something goes wrong. It covers damage or theft of your e-bike and helps pay for repairs or a replacement.

You can also choose from a range of extras, depending on the provider, which offer even more protection. This could include:

Breakdown: You’re protected if your e-bike breaks down while you’re riding away from home.
Cycling Abroad: Ensures you’re covered if you choose to take your e-bike abroad to ride.
Public Liability: Covers you if you’re involved in an accident on your e-bike which either damages property or causes injury to another road user or pedestrian.
Personal Injury: Grants you a cash payout if you seriously injure yourself while riding your e-bike.
Replacement Hire: If your electric bicycle needs to be repaired or replaced, your insurer provides you with a replacement one for hire until everything is sorted.

Do you need electric bicycle insurance?

There’s no legal obligation for you to have electric bicycle insurance – you can go without it if you want. However, you should think about whether you could afford to replace it if it gets stolen, or if you can pay for repairs if it becomes damaged. Having an insurance policy can cover you and help you pay for these costs when needed.

Does contents insurance cover electric bicycles?

Some home insurance policies might cover your electric bike under contents insurance. This means they would pay for repairs or replacement if your e-bike is damaged or stolen.

However, unlike specialist e-bike insurance, your contents insurance might only cover your e-bike when it's at home, like if it's stolen from your garage. You could add personal possessions insurance to your home insurance policy, which covers you if your e-bike is stolen or damaged away from home.

What is an E-Bike?

An e-bike looks like a regular bicycle but has an electric motor to help you pedal. When you start pedalling, the motor gives you a boost, making it easier to go faster or climb hills.

You can control how much help you get from the motor. It can assist you up to 15.5 mph, but you can still pedal faster on your own even when the motor stops.

How can I protect my electric bicycle?

Getting insurance for your electric bike is a good way to protect it. But there are other things you can do to keep it safe:

Store it safely: Park your e-bike in a locked garage or shed at home, or in a well-lit and secure place when you're out.
Use locks: When you park your e-bike away from home, use locks like cable locks, disc brake locks, wheel locks or U-locks to prevent theft.
Install a GPS tracker: This helps you keep track of where your e-bike is.
Remove the battery: Take the battery with you when you're not using your e-bike. The battery is expensive, so removing it makes your bike less appealing to thieves.

Bike Register Database: Register your e-bike with the UK’s Bike Register Database. This police-approved scheme gives you a security-marking kit which deters thieves and makes your e-bike easier to track if stolen.

Do I need a licence for an E-Bike?

You don't need a licence or tax to ride an electric bicycle. If you're 14 or older, you can ride an e-bike if it meets certain criteria.

What is the difference between an E-Bike and a Moped?

Electric bikes have pedals that you need to use to move, although the motor helps you. Mopeds don't have pedals. You need a licence and must complete a basic training course to ride a moped.

Additionally, you can ride electric bikes off-road if they’re configured as mountain e-bikes. Mopeds are purely for street driving.

What does electric bicycle insurance not cover?

There are some things that electric bicycle insurance won’t cover, including:

Accidents involving alcohol or drugs
Claims outside the UK (unless added to your policy)
Claims if the rider isn't covered by the policy
Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect the e-bike's function (like scratches or dents)
Theft if the e-bike wasn't properly secured (e.g., leaving your garage unlocked)
Damage to accessories (like GPS or lights)
Claims if you can't prove you own the bike (keep your receipt).

Who are Saga's home insurance policies underwritten by?

Saga Home Insurance policies, exclusively for people over 50, are unique products designed specifically for our customers. They are underwritten by a number of carefully selected insurers that provide our high standards of quality and service.