SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 10, 2025 – With hundreds of thousands of bicycles stolen each year, bike theft is a major issue that causes significant frustration and financial loss for victims. Janna Poll, an insurance expert at ERGO, provides valuable insights on how bike owners can protect their bicycles and e-bikes from theft, what to do if their bike goes missing, and what kind of insurance coverage is available in case of theft.
Invest in a High-Quality Lock: The First Line of Defense
The most important measure to prevent bike theft is a high-quality lock. Chain, folding, and U-locks offer the greatest protection. "Cheap locks can be cracked in seconds by experienced criminals with the right tools," warns Janna Poll. "Bike owners shouldn't skimp and should invest in a lock that costs about ten percent of the purchase price of the bike."
Smart locks that can only be opened with a smartphone app are also available, eliminating the keyhole that thieves can exploit with special tools. Alarm locks emit a loud warning sound if someone tries to break them open. For particularly expensive bicycles or e-bikes, Poll recommends an additional lock of a different type. "Because bike thieves often specialize in one type of lock," she explains.
Secure Your Bike Properly: More Than Just Locking It
Many cyclists secure their bikes with a sturdy lock but fail to attach it to a bike rack, lamppost, or other fixed object. "Thieves then have an easy time and can carry the bike away with the lock or load it into a van," says Poll. "Easily removable parts such as the front wheel or panniers should also always be secured."
She advises parking the bike only in busy places and changing the parking location regularly. "Anyone who locks their bike in the same place every day at the same time for several hours, such as at the train station, unintentionally provides criminals with valuable clues about a convenient opportunity," warns Poll.
Document Your Bike: Prepare for the Worst
Bike and e-bike owners should also obtain a "bicycle pass," which is available free of charge from the police or insurance companies, for example, and contains a photo, the frame number, and other characteristics of the bike. "The bicycle pass does not protect against theft, but it can help the police to recover the stolen goods and assign them to the rightful owner," says the ERGO expert. "The same applies to GPS trackers hidden in the frame."
What to Do in Case of Theft: Act Quickly and Report the Crime
If, despite all precautions, a bicycle is stolen, the first step is to report it to the police within 48 hours. This can be done online in many places. "The more information those affected can provide about the bicycle and the crime itself, the greater the chances that the police will find the bike," says Poll.
The next step is to inform the insurance company. Most providers will pay out if the bicycle has been missing for three weeks. "It may also be useful to check with the local lost and found office to make sure that the bicycle has not reappeared. Theft victims can also register the stolen bike on special online platforms," advises the insurance expert. "However, the chances of success are low. It is therefore worth taking preventive measures to make it as difficult as possible for thieves."
Insurance Coverage for Bike Theft: Know Your Options
Many people are unaware that bicycles are insured against burglary in their household contents insurance. "Such a burglary occurs when criminals break into a locked room and steal the bicycle," explains Poll. Additional coverage in the household contents insurance can protect against theft outdoors or from unlocked common areas. Providers often have specific requirements for securing the bicycle, which must be observed. Some contracts also have a so-called night clause, where theft is only covered between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Household contents insurance reimburses the replacement value of the bicycle, i.e., the amount that an equivalent model costs. "However, the prerequisite is that the sum insured is high enough. Especially with expensive e-bikes, it can quickly lead to underinsurance," says the ERGO expert. She recommends checking with the insurer and adjusting the sum insured if necessary.
A separate bicycle insurance policy can also be worthwhile. It not only covers theft but also pays for repair costs after an accident, for example – similar to comprehensive car insurance.
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