Accidental Damage vs Vandalism - What's the Difference?

January 13, 2026

Understanding which type of claim you need to make

What counts as vandalism?

Vandalism is when someone deliberately damages your bike or accessories. This includes:

  • Scratching, breaking, or intentionally damaging your bike
  • Damage caused during an attempted theft, even if the bike wasn’t stolen
  • Any other malicious damage to your bike or accessories

Important: If it’s vandalism, you must report it to the police and obtain a crime reference number before we can process your claim.

What counts as accidental damage?

Accidental damage is when your bike gets damaged by accident. This includes:

  • Crashing your bike while riding
  • Dropping your bike and causing damage
  • Someone you allowed to ride your bike having an accident
  • Any other accident that causes damage

If it's accidental damage, you don't need a police crime number. Just tell us what happened.

Still not sure which one applies?

Here's an easy way to think about it:

  • Did someone damage your bike on purpose? That's vandalism - get a police crime reference number
  • Was it an accident while riding or using the bike? That's accidental damage - no police report needed

What you need for both types of claim

Whether it's vandalism or accidental damage, you'll always need:

  • A damage assessment from a qualified mechanic
  • Photographic or other evidence of the damage for all items included in the claim
  • Proof of ownership for all items being claimed (receipts, invoices, or photos are acceptable)

This information helps us calculate how much we can pay you for any repairs.