best bicycle insurance
Which electric bike insurance to choose and for what price?
Even if it is generally not compulsory, electric bike insurance is essential to ride with complete peace of mind, especially since this type of cycle is more expensive than a conventional machine. Repairs are therefore more expensive. Follow our guide to choose the best bike insurance for your electric bike (VAE) or speed bike (electric bike that can go more than 25 km/hour).
Summary
What is an electric bike?
It is necessary to distinguish the VAE from the electric bicycle:
An eBike has a battery and an intelligent motor that stops working when you stop pedaling. Your pedaling is thus assisted up to a maximum of 25 km/h. Beyond that, the engine is restricted. Its power must also be less than 250 watts.
With an electric bike the motor works whether you are pedaling or not. The battery life is therefore less than on an e-bike since it is constantly used. Another difference? These machines – also called speed bikes – can go at a speed greater than 25 km/hour. This makes it a means of transport similar to a moped. It is therefore subject to the holding of a license and to an obligation of registration and civil liability insurance.
electric bike insurance
Is electric bike insurance compulsory?
If you have a VAE, insurance is not compulsory but strongly recommended, at least in civil liability and against theft. On the other hand, if you have an electric bike – not restricted to 25 km/hour – you must take out civil liability insurance.
What insurance against electric bike theft?
Theft is the first accident on an electrically assisted bicycle, just like on a classic cycle, even if, in France, we do not have statistics specific to VAE. According to the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), 400,000 bicycles are stolen each year. A large number are not found and when they are, it is often in a poor state. It is therefore essential to be insured to receive a refund and thus acquire another cycle. Knowing that, if the machine is less than twelve months old, you are generally compensated up to its purchase price (the latter being requested when the cover is taken out).
In which cases of theft is my VAE reimbursed?
Your VAE or electric bike is reimbursed in certain cases of theft. First, this warranty does not cover vandalism. If your cycle is damaged without theft, you will need to have additional damage cover. Then the offense must take place in certain very specific situations:
Breaking into your home in a closed and locked place, such as your garage for example. In this case, your home insurance can reimburse you provided that the cycle is part of the goods covered in the contract.
Theft by assault or violence anywhere: at home, in the street, on a walking path...
Theft while the VAE is attached to a fixed point using a lock approved by your insurance. The type of lock required is specified in the general conditions of your contract.
Some covers support theft while the cycle is next to you unattached or being transported in a vehicle.
battery theft
The majority of electrically assisted bicycle insurance covers the theft of the battery alone without the cycle also being stolen. However, remember to declare during the contract any change of battery having an impact on the power of the VAE. Otherwise, your insurer may not compensate you.
To prevent this crucial accessory from being stolen, remove it from the cycle when parking it, even for a few moments.
Other guarantees of electrically assisted bicycle insurance
Civil liability
Your civil liability (RC) as a cyclist is systematically included in your home insurance. It covers the damage you may cause to third parties riding your VAE. Like, for example, a collision with a pedestrian, another bicycle or damage to the fender of a car.
You therefore do not need to take out a dedicated RC for your electric bike. This way you will avoid paying twice for a similar guarantee.
Material damage
Material damage can also be damage to the cycle, its battery or its accessories. However, not all insurances cover equipment other than that present on the VAE when you bought it.
The damage covered generally includes:
The accident, whether with another bicycle, a pedestrian or any land motor vehicle: motorcycle, car, bus, truck... If you live in a city with tram lines, check that collisions with the means
VAE insurance: exclusions to take into account
We can first cite the so-called legal exclusions: for example, you pedal while drunk or under the influence of narcotics or you do not respect the highway code and have an accident. In this case, you are not covered by your insurance.
There are also exclusions that differ depending on the contract. The goods and objects you transport are not insured, unless a specific guarantee is present. Accidents occurring during a cycling competition or a professional activity carried out with your VAE either. Finally, the theft guarantee cannot generally cover you if your cycle has been stolen by fraud, trickery or by a member of your family or a person living under your roof.
My electric bike was stolen: what should I do?
First reflex in case of theft of your VAE? File a complaint with the gendarmerie or the police as soon as possible. Most insurance companies require you to do this within 24 to 48 hours of your cycle going away. Then contact your insurer by sending him the copy of the complaint and the circumstances of the claim. Also attach photos if relevant: for example a snapshot of your garage whose lock has been forced or of your sectioned anti-theft device. This declaration can be made by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (LRAR) or online, via your customer area.
electric bike theft insurance
How to report a claim to your electric bike insurance?
We have seen previously how to report a theft to your insurance. For any other claim, the procedure is essentially the same. You generally have more time in front of you: five working days on average. The procedure and the deadlines to be respected are specified in the general conditions of your contract. In addition to a letter summarizing the circumstances of the accident and the photos, do not forget to attach the invoice for the VAE as well as those for the equipment and accessories if these have been damaged.
If certain guarantees are already present in other insurances (for example you are already insured for civil liability with your home insurance), do not forget to mention it. In the case of bodily injury, your insurer will ask you to undergo medical examinations and provide it with certain documents (medical report, payslip, etc.) to assess the seriousness of your injuries, your loss, as well as your loss of professional earnings.
Electrically assisted bicycle insurance: what reimbursement?
The insurance for your electrically assisted bicycle generally reimburses you within a reasonable period of time after the incident: a few days to a few weeks after receipt of your complete file. It may take longer for bodily injury while your situation is being assessed.
For the amount, it depends on the claim, the age of the VAE and the level of damage it presents. If it's been stolen – and law enforcement can't find it – or if it's beyond repair, you'll collect the cycle amount nine, provided it's less than a year old. If it is older – or acquired second-hand – your insurance applies what is called a rate of obsolescence. The older the machine, the lower the amount you will receive compared to its purchase price. For example, let's say that you bought a new VAE at 1,200 euros three years ago and that your contract provides for a rate of obsolescence of 30% for a cycle over two years old. You will therefore receive 840 euros or 30% of 1,200 euros.
If the bike is simply damaged, the insurance pays you the amount of the repairs carried out by the repairer. However, there may be a maximum cap. It is also possible that an excess remains at your expense: for a bicycle it is often quite low, a few tens of euros at most. These elements are specified in the specific conditions of your contract.
How much does electric bike insurance cost?
The price of insurance for an electric bike that costs €1500 is on average €12 per month. The price is higher than that of a conventional bicycle. For the simple and good reason that this machine is more expensive to buy, therefore more expensive to repair or replace. The table below shows you a sample of the prices for a VAE with some insurers. The cycle costs 1,500 euros and is insured for private and home-to-work journeys.
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