Cycling brings freedom and enjoyment, but sharing the road also carries risks. While your Bikmo cycle insurance protects your bike, Legal Expenses Cover (underwritten by ARAG) is designed to protect you.
If you’re involved in a cycling accident that isn’t your fault, this cover provides up to £250,000 in legal costs to help you pursue compensation and recover your losses.
Below you’ll find an overview of what’s covered, who can use the policy, and how to make a claim.
What Does Legal Expenses Cover Include?
This policy covers the legal costs of pursuing a claim against the person or party responsible for an accident involving you and your cycle.
Key benefits
- Keep 100% of your compensation: Unlike many no-win no-fee arrangements, no success fee is deducted from your payout.
- Personal Injury Claims: Legal support if you’re injured, or fatally injured, while cycling.
- Recovery of Uninsured Losses: You may be able to claim back costs such as:
- Your Bikmo policy excess
- Public transport or alternative travel while your bike is repaired or replaced
- Rehabilitation and treatment costs
- Damage to personal items used with your cycle
- Loss of earnings or income resulting from the accident.
Eligibility and Restrictions
To make a successful claim, the following conditions must be met:
- UK residency: Cover is available to UK residents only. Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are excluded.
- Reasonable chance of success: The claim must have at least a 51% likelihood of success, and any judgment must be realistically enforceable.
- Territorial Limit: The accident must happen within the United Kingdom.
- Reporting: Claims must be reported during the policy period and as soon as possible after the accident.
24/7 Legal Advice Helpline
Policyholders have access to a confidential legal advice line, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- What it covers: Cycling-related legal advice under UK and EU law.
- Pothole claims: Advice on pothole-related issues is generally excluded unless you were specifically injured as a result of a pothole accident.
- Contact: You can reach the advice line at 0344 571 7977.
What Isn’t Covered?
Legal Expenses Cover does not pay for:
- Costs incurred before ARAG accepts the claim or without their written approval
- Accidents that happened before your policy started
- Fines, penalties, or compensation awarded against you
- Group litigation orders.
- Contractual disputes.
How to Make a Claim
If you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault:
- Do not instruct your own solicitor
Legal costs won’t be covered unless ARAG has given prior approval. - Contact the Claims Team
Call 0330 058 0378 - Legal representation
ARAG will usually appoint a specialist solicitor from their approved panel. You may choose your own advisor only if legal proceedings need to be issued or if there’s a conflict of interest.
The Bikmo Customer Experience team also keeps an eye on cycle claims and may proactively refer your case to legal experts if a potential third-party claim is identified.