As part of our commitment to the security of our Member’s ebikes, we recommend the best locks for different types of ebikes and users. While our first choice is always an angle grinder-resistant lock like the D1000, for some bikes, especially a cargo bike, a U lock alone isn’t enough, or isn’t large enough. For these bikes, we suggest looking at the Hiplock E-DX, actually a set of three Hiploks that together provide good security for larger bikes.
- A heavy chain
- A strong U lock
- A simple zip-tie lock
The sum of the parts: The E-EX’s chain has a ring at each end that the chain can be fed through, making a loop without having to attach the ends of the chain to each other. This increases its functional length to a full meter, enough to loop through your bike’s frame and one of the wheels while still being able to reach a bike rack or pole. It’s Sold Secure Gold rated, meaning it is very hard to defeat with bolt cutters, but might not last very long against a portable angle grinder (the preferred tool of the modern bike thief). Combined with the U lock to attach the chain to a rack or fixed object, you have a strong system. The zip tie-style lock is a nice bonus as you could use it to lock your helmet to your bike, or even throw it through the wheel to immobilize the bike for a few seconds while you run into a shop or similar. This last lock could be quickly cut, and can be opened with a standard key that comes with all similar locks, so it should not be used to protect the bike for more than a minute in most cities.
When our family bought an electric cargo bike earlier this year, one of my biggest fears was that this lovely and expensive new machine was going to get stolen. So I got the best lock money could buy, and I started to investigate: did I need ebike insurance?
First, I called my homeowners insurance provider to see if they would cover the bike if it were stolen. To my surprise, because it’s an electric bike, not only did my policy not cover it, they wouldn’t even add it for an additional fee or sell me a separate policy for it, the way they did for our family car.
Instead they referred me to an insurance company that specializes in bikes and ebikes. I bought a policy from them and sleep a little better for it.
I’ve heard similar stories from other ebike owners. And I’ve heard worse.
What can happen without ebike insurance
The saddest stories are the ones where someone assumed their homeowners or renters or car insurance covered their ebike, and after it was stolen or seriously damaged, it turned out it wasn’t covered.
And then there are the stories about people whose ebikes were covered by their homeowners policy, but their premium went way up when they made a claim for a stolen ebike.
Why it’s hard to insure an ebike
When it comes to insurance, ebikes land in a gray area outside standard homeowners insurance and auto insurance. Here’s why:
- Ebikes are new in terms of the insurance industry. Most of the several million ebikes in the U.S. were purchased in the last two years. Insurers aren’t familiar with them, and insurers don’t like to be surprised by unfamiliar products.
- Ebikes are more expensive than regular bikes. Policies that cover bikes, like most homeowners or renters policies, might have also covered ebikes until the insurer had to pay much larger claims than they expected to replace a damaged or stolen ebike. See above about insurers and surprise. So some policy terms got changed.
- Finally, ebikes get stolen a lot, and not only from people’s homes. They are ridden and locked up outside all over the place, which makes them more vulnerable than other valuable household items.
Steps to take to properly insure your ebike
The odds that your ebike is covered by your existing insurance is lower than you may think. Here’s what to do to find out if you need ebike insurance:
- Call your insurance company and find out what they cover. Things to bring up: coverage of accidental damage, theft, and travel (like what would happen if you flew somewhere with your bike and the airline did a number on it). Does the insurance company consider your ebike a “luxury item”? If you’re happy with the coverage, great! You’re good to go.
- Consider bike-specific coverage. If you aren’t covered, or feel like the coverage you do have isn’t enough, here are some things to think about.
Bike insurance covers all kinds of bike specific things, not just theft. Think damage to the bike from a collision, medical payments if you are injured in a collision, insurance for the bike if you are traveling with it or racing it, or a bike rental while your bike is being repaired. Some policies even cover things like accessories (like bike lights and panniers) and riding clothes.
Bike claims won’t affect your other insurance premium. Should you need to make a claim on your ebike, your home insurance premium won’t change or get canceled.
We can help
Want to learn more about ebike insurance? Join Tempo and get easy access to insurance quotes, and other ways to protect your ebike right inside the app.
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