Cycling Insurance

Bicycle insurance can cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your bike or accessories are stolen or you’re in an accident and your bike and accessories are damaged. For full details and limits of the cover available, please refer to the policy wording.

If you’re not sure about cycle insurance, it may help to weigh up the risks and decide whether it’s a cover you want. You could consider whether you’ve accidentally damaged cycles in the past, or whether you’ve been the victim of bicycle theft - leaving you out-of-pocket.

Other risks to think about are accidental injury to others while you’re riding your bike. This is something that you can get covered for with our public liability option. Or even rescue cover, if you’re a fan of long rural bike rides.

Bike and accessories cover

This is what most people think about when considering bike insurance. It offers cover for the bicycle itself, plus its components and accessories.

Public liability cover

Public liability cover for cyclists includes rider to rider and public liability in the event that you accidentally injure or damage a member of the public or their property while riding your bike.

Legal expenses cover

This is something that is often overlooked, but accidents involving cyclists and vehicles are unfortunately not uncommon, which is why legal expenses cover is something you may want to consider as part of your cycle insurance policy.

Rescue cover

If you’re keen on long rural cycles or cycling holidays, rescue cover is something to think about, if an accident or breakdown leaves stranded.

Personal accident cover

Personal accident cover is to protect you against medical costs if you are injured as a result of a cycling accident.

Many home insurance policies will cover bicycles up to a certain value (often around £1,000) - though they usually need to be declared specifically. What’s more, this cover is often restricted to protection when the bicycle is at home. This means that your cycle isn’t covered when you’re out and about.

We offer cover if you are taking part in an event or bike race in the United Kingdom and Europe including all countries west of the Ural Mountains, islands in the Mediterranean, Madeira, the Azores and Iceland but not including Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia. We also offer cover for the rest of the World for temporary trip of no more than 45 days and/or no more than 90 days during the Period of Insurance.

Just make sure that you let us know when and where you’re travelling, that the country or region outside of the United Kingdom is not subject to financial sanctions and/or The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel or all but essential travel and ensure that all reasonable safety precautions are taken while in transit

Yes, our bike and accessories product includes race and event fee reimbursement. So, if you have paid to participate in an organised cycling event and are unable to take part due to circumstances beyond your control, we could cover the cost of the race fee up to £500. An example of this is event cancelation or postponement due to global events. It could also be down to picking up a training injury a couple of days before you are due to compete, which medically rules you out.

If you’ve just purchased a brand new bike, this is relatively straightforward: you can refer to the price you paid for your cycle and components, ideally with an itemised breakdown - this applies to self-built bikes too.

The cost of cycle insurance depends on the type of cover you want for yourself and your bike. Features such as public liability and rescue cover are offered at a fixed cost, but the cost of bike and accessories cover, for example (if you select it), will vary according to the total value you need to insure.

It’s important to make sure that your bike is locked even when stored at home. It’s key to make sure that your bike is out of sight - so that it remains out of mind for an opportunistic thief.

If you’re investing in a ground anchor, make sure that it’s properly secured to a wall or concrete floor. Securing it to something that can be easily removed, such as a laminate floor, is pointless.

It is wise to ensure that your bike is kept in either: a privately accessed lockable shed, outbuilding or garage which is within the boundaries of your home (i.e. in your own garden); a self-contained lockable private room or communal hallway inside your place of residence; or a purpose-built cycle storage facility.

If your bike is insured, it is advisable to make sure that you’re using a lock specifically designed for cycles, motor scooters or motorcycles that has been approved to Sold Secure testing standards.

How to hose down your bicycle

Depending on just how dirty your bike is, this may not be necessary, but it is important to get rid of any large clumps of dirt that may have attached themselves across the bike. This will save you simply rubbing that dirt across the bike and making it dirtier.

Dry and lubricate your bike after cleaning it

If the conditions are right you could leave your bike to air dry - but if not, use a clean rag to remove the excess water. After you have dried the bike, it is important to use some WD40 or another water displacer to avoid rusting. The last job is to make sure that all the pieces operate smoothly. Use the chain lube to ensure that the chain does its job effectively. Slowly work your way along the chain to make sure you cover every part. All the rollers, pins and inner face plates must be done to make sure they all work together to give you the smoothest ride.

Make sure that you properly reattach anything you have removed. Test your brakes and gears to make sure your bicycle is working safely and effectively.

How to look after your bicycle's chain

Cleaning the chain can potentially be painful, if you don’t watch out for your fingers! To avoid this, raise your back tyre off the ground, then you can spin the pedals and move the chain rather than trying to get in all the nooks of a moving part. Generously apply the de-greaser to the chain and use an old rag to run the chain through. Keep doing this until you are satisfied the chain is clean and running smoothly.

How to clean your drivetrain

The drivetrain can be tricky. If you have the tools and the know-how to remove it from the bike this would be the best option. However, if you can’t, removing the wheel is best practice. This will give you better access around the drivetrain and allow you to be more thorough by getting behind it. Another handy tip is to use bike cleaning brushes or if you don’t have any to hand an old paint or tooth brush.

How to maintain your bike's wheels and frame

Use a soft sponge to wipe over the bicycle, starting from top to bottom to avoid dripping dirty water on the clean parts. Use a bike cleaning spray or a soap to go over the frame and wheels then wipe off the suds with clean water. For the fiddlier bits, for example under the seat and between the spokes, use a clean brush to get in between them. Don’t forget about the brake pads, get rid of any grit or dirt under them. This will make them last longer and stay reactive. Again, if you can take the wheels off it will make the process easier.

In order to produce significant changes and adaptations when riding, you should focus on each ride having a specific purpose to fulfil. Early on, this might mean breaking down your rides into three key areas; endurance, power and strength. They all feed into one another, but do require specific sessions to improve individually. For example, longer less intense rides for endurance, interval training for sprinting and hills for strength.

There is no point in trying to be tough with a ‘no pain, no gain’ type of attitude when it comes to being in the saddle for extended periods of time. With so many saddles on the market to choose from, there is certainly one which will make your riding much more enjoyable, as will investing in a pair of padded bib shorts; they may sound ludicrous to begin with but soon become your best friend.

If things still feel wrong, then do not forget that your entire bike is customisable to your body, so tinker with everything in pursuit of comfort; saddle height, stem length, bar reach etc.

More than anything it is the weather which is bound to dictate what you wear while cycling, or at least it is if you wish to stay cool / warm / dry / comfortable while riding.

This means short sleeve jerseys and perhaps a base layer to stay cool during summer, long sleeves and thermal materials once it gets cold, with a rain cape or waterproof jacket handy at all times in case of showers.
After a while you are certain to discover the world of accessories such as gloves, shoe covers, snoods and more!

The most simple thing you can do to improve your riding is to simply get in the saddle and ride. Regularly cycling is far more beneficial than a single long or hard ride once a week, so even if it’s simply a quick spin to keep the legs turning over, enjoy riding as much and as often as possible; just ride!

The Hebridean Way cycle holiday, Scotland

Strictly for the professionals - the Hebridean Way is a stunning, 185-mile route across the Outer Hebrides, a chain of ten islands.

The islands are sparsely populated, meaning that you can enjoy long stretches of cycling along coastlines and sweeping hills without seeing a car – a quieter choice for a road cycling holiday. As the route crosses several islands, you will need to reach each of them by ferry or by crossing causeways.

The Isle of Wight, Hampshire

The Isle of Wight has a circumference of only 60 miles and features plenty of varied routes that are perfect for cycling. With plenty of historical sites and coastal routes for you to enjoy, this makes an ideal destination for everyone from solo riders to families, whether you’re looking to follow a trail across the countryside or are up for a more intense road cycling holiday.

The island’s official tourism website details some of the best routes for cyclists of all abilities - so whether you are a beginner or proficient cyclist, you can find a route suitable for your skill level.

Three Parks Trail, Wales

If you’re in the mood to visit a park on your cycling trip, then you’re in luck with this destination because it features three of them within the 13-mile route. You’ll begin at Sirhowy Valley Country Park, then pass through Parc Penallta and finally reach Taff Bargoed Millennium Park.

Look out for landmarks such as Sultan the Pit Pony, the UK’s largest figurative earth sculpture.
All of these parks offer gorgeous scenic views and the trail is part of the National Cycle Network - you can find more information about the trail at Sustrans.

The New Forest, Hampshire

Head down to the south of England between Southampton and Christchurch to this prime cycling destination. There are over one hundred miles of cycling routes across this protected green space, and there’s plenty to see, from a ‘secret’ coastline that stretches for 40 miles and vast swathes of ancient woodland. If you don’t have your own bike, there are numerous places within the New Forest National Park where you can hire one for your trip.

A popular route recommended for families is the two-mile stretch between Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard - a scenic route following the Beaulieu River and finishing in the village of Buckler’s Hard.

Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

Start your journey in Ballycastle and finish at the Giant’s Causeway with this incredibly scenic - but not too long - route which will take you past the ruins of Dunseverick Castle.

If you seek more of a challenge and wish to extend your cycling route, the Causeway Coastal Route stretches all the way from Belfast to Londonderry, with plenty of landmark locations to enjoy, from distilleries to Game of Thrones locations.

If you’re up for more of a mountain bike holiday, you can take a detour off your route to Binevenagh, to enjoy panoramic views of the Sperrin Mountains and Roe Valley.

Yes. If you’d prefer to spread the cost of your premiums, you have the option of setting up a Direct Debit to pay your premium by monthly instalments through our preferred provider, Premium Credit Limited (PCL).

To find out more about PCL and direct debit payments, select Direct Debit.

To understand more about how PCL work together with Towergate, please read our Regulatory Information.