Your bike’s your ‘pride and joy’ and you’d like to keep it that way, which is why you chose to insure it with us. You can’t ride it or keep it next to you for 24 hours each day, so locking it well is the next best thing. We appreciate that there's a vast selection of locks, chains and anchors out there, with an equally high number of things to lock your bike to, so we'll try to give some tips and examples from what we've learnt.
Start by checking out our helpful video
The Bikmo locking guide:
Firstly, and most importantly, if you leave your bike unattended and it's not locked, you will not be covered. We appreciate that there are times when, as cyclists, we're tempted to just pop into a cafe or shop to refuel during a long ride as it'll only take a minute but, sadly, it only takes a minute for someone to steal your bike too. So, it's essential that you either get your riding partner to mind it or lock it up!
Locking well is about using common sense, and here's a few simple reminders:
- choose a well-lit busy area
- make sure the object you are locking your bike to is secure
- use the best lock you can afford (more on that later)
- remove or secure quick release components like wheels, lights, computers, tools and seatposts
- if you have an unexpected puncture when you return, take your bike with you rather than leaving it, as this may have been done on purpose
Which lock do I need?
If leaving your bike unattended, your policy requires you to use a Sold Secure approved lock, suitably rated for the value of your bike.
It's dependent on the 'as new' RRP replacement value of the bike, at the time of purchase, as to which lock rating you'll need:
Bike value up to £250 - Bronze
Bike value £251 - £1500 - Silver
Bike value over £1500 - Gold
A Diamond rated lock is fine too, as this is their highest rating available.
The rating is based on the amount of time and the tools required to try to break the lock, so it’s always worth buying the highest rating if it’s in your budget. The higher the rating, the longer it took, if it was actually possible to break! There's some great deals out there, and you can often get a Gold rated lock for the same price as a Silver.
If your Sold Secure approved U lock comes with an additional wire cable, please be aware that the cable is not included in the approved rating, it's just the lock. This means that if you secured the bike through the frame to an immovable object, with the cable only, you wouldn't be covered!
Also, don’t forget to list your lock, along with your bike, to your ‘Bikes and Kit List’ and include a photo or receipt for proof of ownership: How to add your Bikes & Kit
Comments
21 comments
My bike tips the scales at 7.1kg I am hardly going to carry a Gold Sold Secure D shackle around with me. Not goingvto happen. Also I have heard the bikmo policy does not cover cosmetic damage. So why am I paying over £200 plus? Prob wont bother next year.
Hi Tony,
We're not suggesting that you need to carry the lock around with you at all times; if you don't leave the bike unattended, there's no need to lock it...and you wouldn't get any Strava KOMs if you did!
If there's anything else you need clarifying, we're always on the end of an email or phone call.
Cheers,
I don’t think I have my receipt still
For my locks but both are SOld Secure Silver rated. One I bought with the bike via my Cyclescheme and I picked up a second later on in a deal. I have one at home and one at work. Just need a small one that can be carried but still rated Silver so I can stop for a pint when I’m on a fun ride out.
I think I included my lock in my policy - not sure I have photos uploaded on this policy or not. How do I find out as I’ve had this policy for awhile.
The question id like to see made clear is what is the definition of an immovable object. I asked my previous insurer and they couldn’t decide. I bought an anchor bolt to fix to my breeze block garage wall so that I had an object to fix my local lock to. There were lots of discussions on what constitutes an acceptable brick or block material to fix the anchor to. I can't change the block work!
Also, it wasn't clear how immoveable was deemed immoveable. With enough time and effort everything is moveable. These anchor blocks require tools to remove them from a wall. Whether that's using a lever to wrench it off the wall or finding a suitable Allen key to unscrew the anchor - I do not know if that is immoveable enough? The anchor company supply ball bearings that can if desired be hammered into the head of the fixing wall bolts. I really don't want to go that far in case I need to reposition at anytime in the future. Security is all about deterring and delaying theft. Not fully preventing it which is near impossible to a determined thief.
Your thoughts on this would be appreciated and perhaps some photos of good examples on how to secure a bike outside and in a garage.
Finally, I've a new bike that I need to insure. It's currently kept inside my house. If insure it and keep inside - is it insured if it'd not locked
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the feedback. To answer all of your points, I've sent you an email directly.
Cheers,
Keith could you please send me a copy of the e mail you sent to Mark Elsdon .I have the same queries and would be grateful for some advise
And me! What is classed as unmovable and does the bike have to be locked to an unmovable object at home in my locked garage?
Hi David,
I have sent you a direct email with a more detailed explanation.
Cheers.
Hi could you send me an email also please regarding locking bikes in the garage? Also I have a couple of bikes in the house are they meant to locked to a immovable object too? I know insurance companies it is a requirement but some say it isn’t a requirement to lock it in the house.
Cheers
Hi Darren,
As requested, I have sent an email to you directly.
Cheers.
Hi Keith,
I have an oxford gold sold secure D lock that i bought years ago however I no longer have the receipt. I may still have the information pack it came with that explains how to register the lock online for warranty purposes (which unfortunately i never did). Would this be sufficient evidence as proof of purchase. Alternatively, if I am still able to register the lock for warranty purposes would this count as proof of purchase sufficient to set up insurance?
Thanks
Octavia
Hi - I have the same question as several of the others above (could you give everyone the answer?) - When secured in a garage with only one door and no windows, can you define what would be acceptable in terms of attaching bikes to the garage internally and what sort of garage door lock is acceptable. The premiums are a lot of money but worth it in case of theft, but not if I void the cover by not securing in the right way.
Also - I lock my bike in the back of my van when I am travelling - is there any cover for this or should I ensure this is included in my vehicle insurance policy?
I am a BC member and would purchase the BC insurance so if any of your answers would be different please bear that in mind - thanks.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Our locking requirements are quite simple for both of the scenarios you've mentioned, and apply to both our Bikmo and British Cycling products.
Provided that your garage is within the boundaries of your private dwelling, there is no requirement to lock your bike to an immovable object with a Sold Secured correctly rated lock, as long as the garage is locked and normal security protections are fully operative and in force, whenever your bike is left unattended, and the theft is a direct result of violent and forcible entry to or exit from the garage.
Whilst in you van, you are covered for up to 24 consecutive hours, provided that the bike is completely contained within the van and the van is fully locked with all security protections in force, whenever your bike is left unattended, and the theft is a direct result of violent and forcible entry to the van by the thieves.
Sorry it's a bit 'wordy', but I hope this helps clarify things for you (and everyone).
Cheers,
Keith.
Hi Keith,
Does the policy cover keeping the bike inside a locked car?
Thanks
James
Hi James,
Yes, provided that the bike is completely contained within the car, and the car is fully locked with all security protections in force, whenever your bike is left unattended, and the theft is a direct result of violent and forcible entry to the car by the thieves.
Whilst in your car, you are covered for up to 24 consecutive hours.
Cheers, I hope this helps.
I am very confused about what is ok. I have my bike locked up inside a shared entrance. It is secured with a Gold rated lock around an enormous 13 foot pillar, which is probably solid timber. It is so wide that my Hiplok Homie just fits around it. I then attach a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit (Gold rated) around that lock and to the frame of my bike.
It would take longer to get through the pillar than the locks, but I'm not sure if the pillar counts.
Hi Keith,
One of our definitions of an 'immovable object' is the following:
a. a solid object fixed onto or into brick, stone, concrete or metal and which cannot be undone or removed with or lifted under or over the cycle;
From what you've described, provided that the pillar is 'fixed onto or into brick, stone, concrete or metal and which cannot be undone or removed with or lifted under or over the cycle', then I believe it would meet our policy wording definition.
I hope this helps,
Keith.
Thanks for the quick response. How exactly do I find out for sure if it counts? Do I send in a photo of it? I just really want to make sure before I insure it. Thanks again.
Hi Keith,
If you can send in a photo of the pillar and how your bike is locked to support@bikmo.com, one of the CX team will be happy to help and confirm for you.
Cheers,
Keith.
Well I purchased the insurance and went ahead and sent photos and videos. It took nearly a week without any updates, and I was told sorry, we aren't sure if it is immoveable so let's "air" on the side of caution and say no.
Unless someone is the Incredible Hulk it's completely immoveable. It would require a chainsaw to make multiple cuts through. The easiest and by far fastest option would be to angle grind through the Secure Gold locks. The help representative also failed to provide any info or suggestions. Just a week, and then hey sorry we aren't going to do what you paid us to do.
I have to say, that a company that takes a week to get back to me with such an important question, and unilaterally redefines the word immoveable just to "air" on the side of caution does not seem very professional.
I will definitely be leaving Bikmo as I have contacted multiple other insurers who have all stated that they would insure this as it is immoveable. They also got back to me within 2 days max.
Hi. If I have 2 insured bikes. Am I covered if I used one D lock for both of them?
Hi Adrien,
Yes, provided that the lock used is of the correct rating for the combined value of the bikes:
Up to £250 - Bronze
£251 - £1500 - Silver
Over £1500 - Gold or Diamond
I hope this helps.
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