Yes, your bike is covered when stored in a shed at your home, as long as certain structural and security requirements are met.
Many cyclists use a shed as their main storage solution. Under your Bikmo policy, theft from a shed is covered provided the shed qualifies as part of your home and is properly secured.
Defining Your Shed as "Home"
For insurance purposes, a shed is considered part of your home if it meets the following criteria:
- Structure: It must be a lockable wooden, metal, or plastic shed.
- Stability: It must be securely fixed to the ground or a wall so it cannot simply be lifted or removed.
- Location: It must be within the boundaries of your private residence.
- Access: It can only be accessed by residents of your private residence.
Security Requirements for Shed Storage
To be covered for theft from your shed:
- The shed must be locked and secured.
- There must be evidence of forcible and violent entry or exit.
This means there must be visible damage to the shed at the point where entry or exit occurred.
If these conditions are met, your bike does not need to be locked to an immovable object while inside the locked shed.
When is an approved lock required?
An approved lock and an immovable object are only required if the shed security requirements above cannot be met.
For example:
- If your bike is stored in an open garden area rather than a locked building.
- If it’s kept in a communal or partially secured space.
In these cases, you must lock the bike through the frame to an immovable object using an approved lock to maintain cover.
Your responsibilities
Regardless of where your bike is stored, you must:
- Take reasonable care to prevent loss or damage.
- Maintain security measures and keep them in good working order.
- Provide proof of ownership, such as the original purchase receipt showing the date, price and bike details, or other evidence that clearly proves ownership.
What’s not covered?
Theft from your shed or home may not be covered if:
- There is no evidence of forcible and violent entry.
- Security measures were not in use, such as unlocked doors.
- The loss is unexplained.