Theft Coverage That Follows Your Bike
An estimated 2 million bikes are stolen in the US each year, and fewer than 5% are ever recovered. Theft coverage is part of the core policy, at home and away from it, subject to the policy's locking conditions. Pick a card to jump to the details.
Theft at Home
A break-in at your home or garage is a covered theft when there are signs of forcible entry.
Theft Away From Home
Locked to a bike rack or another immovable object with an appropriate security device, your bike is covered wherever you leave it.
Theft From Your Car or Rack
A properly fixed vehicle rack counts as an immovable object, and theft from a locked car is covered when there is forcible entry.
What Is Bike Theft Insurance?
A standalone policy that pays the value you insured your bike for when it is stolen. A claim does not affect your homeowners or renters policy rates.
A good lock buys time. Battery-powered cutting tools have made locked bikes an easy target, and once a bike is gone it almost never comes back. Bike theft insurance is the part of the plan that still works after the lock fails.
With Velosurance, theft coverage is built into the core policy. The policy is all-risk, meaning anything not specifically excluded is covered: theft (subject to the policy's locking conditions), crash and accidental damage, and loss or damage in transit by car, airline, or courier. One premium covers all of it, starting at $9 a month.
It is a standalone policy. You can buy it with or without home insurance behind it, and a theft claim stays off your home insurance record. See how each handles a stolen bike: Velosurance vs. renters insurance and Velosurance vs. homeowners insurance.
Theft at Home
Your bike spends more hours at home than anywhere else. Thieves know it.
The rule: signs of forcible entry. A bike stolen from your home or garage is covered when the theft shows signs of forcible entry. Damage to a door or its locking mechanism counts. So does a cut lock.
No lock required behind a closed garage door. The policy does not require the bike to be locked to an immovable object inside a closed garage. We recommend it anyway: devices that open garage doors electronically are common, and a cut lock is clear evidence for your claim. The details are in locking a bike inside a closed garage.
Theft Away From Home
The locking conditions, stated plainly.
Lock it to something that stays put. Away from home, an unattended bike must be locked to an immovable object with an appropriate security device. A bike rack qualifies, and so does any solid object fixed in concrete or stone that a thief cannot undo, remove, or lift clear of the bike.
Any lock you trust. An appropriate security device is a key or combination lock built to fasten a bike to a fixed object. The policy sets no brand or price requirement. We recommend a quality U-lock or a sleeved chain and would skip the cable: a cable lock will not save your bike from theft.
Robbery is covered too. Theft by force, threat of force, or violence is a covered loss. There is no lock to defeat in a robbery, so the police report carries the claim. Give up the bike and get somewhere safe.
Theft From Your Car or Rack
A parked car with a bike on it draws attention. The policy treats the rack and the cabin differently.
On the rack. A properly fixed roof rack or vehicle bike rack counts as an immovable object. Lock the bike to the rack with an appropriate security device and a theft from your parked car is covered. The classic version: you stop for gas on the way home from a ride, walk inside, and someone lifts the bike off the rack and into a pickup bed. A lock through the frame and the rack ends that story.
Inside the car. A bike stolen from inside your locked car is covered when the police report shows forcible entry into the car. Thieves can open many car doors without leaving a mark, so lock the bike to a seat anchor point as well: a defeated lock is evidence on its own. More in theft from inside a locked car.
On the road. Coverage applies anywhere in the US and Canada, at any hour, with no limit on how long the bike is stored away from home. Riding abroad? Add worldwide coverage to your policy before you leave.
What Is Not Covered
Every exclusion is written into the policy, so you know where theft coverage stops before you buy.
An unlocked bike. Away from home, a bike left unlocked, even for a minute, is not covered for theft. At home, a bike taken from an open garage or an unlocked house leaves no sign of forcible entry to show, so close the door, even for the five minutes it takes to carry in the groceries.
A lock on something movable. The object the bike is locked to has to stay put. A bike rack that is not bolted into the ground, a fence panel, or a short post the lock can be lifted over is not an immovable object, and a theft from one does not meet the locking conditions.
An abandoned bike. Abandonment by you or anyone riding with your permission is excluded. A bike left behind after a flat or a mechanical is not a theft claim: push it home or to the nearest transit stop rather than leaving it for later.
Theft by someone you trusted. Theft by a person you entrusted the bike to is not covered. Lending is fine under permissive use; the exclusion is for the borrower who never brings it back.
Commercial use. Delivery and courier work is commercial use, which suspends coverage for as long as the bike is used that way. At an organized event, a bike left in the staging or transition area more than 24 hours before or after the event is not covered either.
A theft with no police report. Every theft claim needs a police report detailing the time, place, and manner of the theft and the lock that was used. File it the same day.
What a Theft Claim Pays
Stated value with no depreciation. The number you insured is the number the claim starts from.
A stolen bike is a total loss. The claim pays the value you insured the bike for, minus your deductible. Age does not shrink the payout: a bike insured for $2,500 pays $2,300 after a $200 deductible, whether it is three months old or three years old.
Insure what you spent. Stated value includes the accessories and upgrades you declare, so add the new wheelset or power meter to the policy when you buy it. See how to value your bicycle.
Gear and spare parts. Spare parts, such as a second wheelset, are covered for theft under the same locking conditions, up to $500 per loss with a $1,000 policy term limit. Cycling apparel lost in the same covered theft has its own $500 per loss and $1,000 policy term limit.
After the payout. Paying a total loss closes out the policy, and any remaining installments of the annual premium are due before the claim is paid. Insure the replacement bike the day you buy it.
E-bike Theft Coverage
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes are covered for theft the same way as conventional bikes.
An e-bike is often the most valuable thing its owner locks outside, and the battery and motor resell quickly on their own. Thieves have noticed.
Same policy, same rules. Velosurance insures Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes with a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. The theft conditions match a conventional bike's, and an e-bike costs no more to insure than a pedal bike of the same value.
Where other policies stop. Homeowners and renters policies routinely exclude anything with a motor, so read yours before you count on it for a stolen e-bike. Our own line sits at Class 3: high-power electric dirt bikes are not covered. The full picture is on our e-bike insurance page.
What to Do If Your Bike Is Stolen
Every theft claim runs on one document: the police report.
1. File a police report the same day. Every theft claim requires one. The report needs the time, the place, how the theft happened, and the lock you used. Get the case number.
2. Keep the evidence. Hold on to the cut lock or chain and photograph the scene. At home, photograph the damaged door or lock.
3. Start the claim. Follow the steps on our claims page and include the police report, a photo of the defeated lock, and your written account. A claims manager contacts you within two business days, and most claims are paid in less than 14 business days.
Do the paperwork before you need it. Record your serial number, photograph both sides of the bike, and keep your receipts. A complete file speeds up the police report and the claim.
We cover all types of bikes
Whether you ride the tarmac or shred the gnar, dodge pedestrians, or cruise the beach, you're a member of a special club of people who appreciate the world in a primal way – on two wheels. To keep you rolling, we address the specific risks associated with your discipline.
Road bikes
Light and aerodynamic, equipped with skinny tires and optimized for long days in the saddle.
E-bikes
Electrically-assisted Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes with maximum assisted speed of up to 28 mph.
Commuter bikes
Simple, reliable bikes designed specifically for urban environments.
Mountain bikes
Rugged, resilient, and incredibly fun. Equipped with suspension and designed to offroad, tackle technical terrain and jumps.
Gravel bikes
Drop bar bikes capable of going on both pavement and unprepared terrain, even mild singletrack.
Triathlon bikes
Exceptionally aerodynamic and lightweight, these speed machines are designed with one goal in mind: go fast.
Trikes
Three-wheeled bicycles are known for additional stability and versatility.
Recumbent bikes
Two and three wheeled bikes with a leisurely leaning back seating position.
Cargo bikes
The SUVs of the two-wheeled world, these bikes are designed to carry heavy loads, including groceries and passengers.
Coverages and Features
Velosurance offers must-have protection such as accidental damage, theft, or loss in transit. Each policy can be customized by adding additional coverages such as liability protection, uninsured motorist, and medical payments.
Bicycles are very easy to steal and equally difficult to recover, and even a hefty U-lock doesn’t guarantee your bike is still there when you return. Velosurance provides peace of mind if it is stolen or damaged in the process.
Bike theft insurance →Our policy will pay to replace your ride if it is accidentally damaged and beyond repair, including damage that occurs while being carried on or in your vehicle. If it can be repaired, we will pay all the costs associated with the bike's repair, including tax, labor, and shipping, minus the deductible. Cosmetic damage that does not affect safety is excluded.
Bicycle crash insurance →Our policy optional coverage purchase will protect and defend you from your personal liability (injury, sickness, death, or damage to property, including fire damage) that you are found legally liable for. Coverage limits offered: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000 per occurrence.
E-bike liability insurance →If you’re hurt and require medical attention, our optional medical gap will take care of your medical bills, up to the selected limit. The payments are paid directly to you to supplement the deductible of your personal health insurance policy.
Medical gap insurance →Depreciation is a hidden deductible that increases every year and is applied if the bicycle is stolen or totaled. No one is ever happy with an Actual Cash Value insurance settlement: the bike is first devalued, and then a deductible is applied, resulting in a reimbursement that is far less than the cost of a replacement. We reimburse without depreciation, for the cost of a replacement that is of like, kind, and quality similar to your totaled bike.
One of the scariest things that can happen to a cyclist is getting hit by a car. This coverage will pay for medical expenses, physical therapy, mental health services, lost wages, and other expenses that arise from a bicycle-car accident.
Uninsured motorist insurance →We cover all electrically assisted Class 1, 2, and 3 bikes with a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. All protections available for conventional bicycles also apply to electric ones.
E-bike insurance →Bikes often get damaged in transit by personal vehicles, airlines, or courier services. Filing a claim with the airlines and courier services is a notoriously difficult process with a questionable outcome. We cover the insured bicycle for loss or damage while it's on its way to or from your destination by air or road. Even if it falls off a vehicle rack or is hit in a rear-end accident, it is covered, no arguments.
Bicycle travel coverage →If you go down in a crash, we cover your ride as well as your apparel, such as helmet, shoes, glasses, or riding kit that are torn up, and pay up to $500 per accident and $1,000 per term. Spare parts that are not installed, such as a spare wheelset, are also covered up to $500 per loss and $1,000 per year.
Our policy does not piggypack on any coverage you may already have, such as homeowners policies. Filing a claim won’t impact your rates with other carriers. With home insurance premiums rising each year in the U.S., it’s wise to reserve that policy for major incidents, because no matter how valuable your bike is, it’s still a lot cheaper than a kitchen fire or a flooded basement.
We cover the insured bike at all times, anywhere in the USA and Canada, and can be extended worldwide on request. There are no exclusions on the time of day or limitations on how long it can be stored away from home. 24/7/365 means every minute of every day, no matter where or when.
In the heat of a race, the focus on speed often outweighs concerns for safety, leaving little margin for error. If you go down in a crash, this optional coverage takes care of repairs or replacement. If you use your bike in a competitive environment, this is a no-brainer because it offers protection in the highest-risk category.
Bicycle racing insurance →If your travels take you beyond the USA and Canada, for a small additional premium, this option extends the physical loss and damage protection, including loss or damage caused by an airline, to any country in the world.
International coverage →You can lend it to anyone you choose, and it will be covered. The bike and the person riding it are covered as if it were you riding it‚ this includes theft and crash damage as well as any purchased optional coverages.
We do not dictate what type or brand of lock must be used to protect your ride from theft – you are welcome to use any lock that you trust. The best security is provided by metal locks combined with a high-quality chain. Securing your ride to a solid and immovable object, such as a bike rack, with a high-quality lock will send the thief onto the one secured with a more vulnerable lock.
Why Velosurance Is the Better Policy for a Stolen Bike
Homeowners and renters policies typically pay a depreciated value after a larger deductible, and the claim goes on your home insurance record. A standalone bike policy keeps both the claim and the payout separate.
| Policy Coverage |  | Homeowner/Renters Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Insured at Full Value | Yes | Possibly |
| Crash Damage | Yes | No |
| Theft Coverage | Yes | Limited |
| Theft by Force | Yes | No |
| Theft of Accessories | Yes | Limited |
| Theft Away From Home | Yes | Possibly |
| Uninsured Motorist | Yes | No |
| Personal Liability | Yes | Possibly |
| Permissive Use Policy | Yes | No |
| Replacement Rental | Yes | No |
| Event Fee Return | Yes | No |
| Cycling Apparel Coverage | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments | Yes | Possibly |
| Racing Coverage | Yes | No |
| E-bikes | Yes | No |
| Coverage in-transit | Yes | No |
| USAC, USAT and IMBA Member Discount | Yes | No |
| FREE INSTANT QUOTE |
Not all insurance policies provide the same level of protection, and many people only discover gaps in their coverage after filing a claim. We’ve done the hard work of reviewing the fine print. To see how plans compare, check out our insurance comparison.
Client satisfaction is our #1 goal, and we strive to deliver the best experience every time. Here's what our clients say about Velosurance:
Velosurance really stepped up and put me at ease. The claim was fast and easy. I am insuring all my bikes now.
Check out Velosurance reviews to see what people are saying about us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does bicycle insurance cover theft?
- Yes. Theft is part of the core policy, along with crash and accidental damage and loss or damage in transit. A stolen bike is paid at stated value with no depreciation, minus your deductible, subject to the policy's locking conditions. Every theft claim requires a police report, so file one the same day.
- How much does bike theft insurance cost?
- Policies start at $100 a year, about $9 a month, and the insured value of the bike drives the premium. Theft coverage is included in that price along with crash damage and transit coverage, so there is no separate theft premium to add. Multi-bike and cycling association discounts lower the cost further.
- What are the locking conditions for theft coverage?
- The conditions depend on where the bike is. Away from home, the bike must be locked to an immovable object, such as a bike rack, with an appropriate security device. At home, a theft claim needs signs of forcible entry. Give the police the time, the place, and the lock you used when you file the report.
- What kind of lock do I need?
- Any key or combination lock designed to fasten a bike to a fixed object qualifies as an appropriate security device, and the policy sets no brand or price requirement. We recommend a quality U-lock or a sleeved chain, since cable locks are easily defeated. If the bike is stolen, keep the cut lock as evidence for your claim.
- Is my bike covered if it is stolen from my garage?
- Yes, when the theft shows signs of forcible entry, such as damage to the door or its locking mechanism, or a cut lock. The policy does not require a lock inside a closed garage, but a locked bike slows a thief and gives your claim clear evidence. Keep the door closed: a theft from an open garage leaves no forcible entry to show.
- Is my bike covered on a car rack or inside my car?
- Yes. A properly fixed roof rack or vehicle bike rack counts as an immovable object, so a bike locked to it with an appropriate security device is covered. A bike stolen from inside your locked car is covered when the police report shows forcible entry. Lock the bike to a seat anchor point inside the car as well.
- How much does a stolen bike claim pay?
- The claim pays the value you insured the bike for, minus your deductible. The bike is insured at stated value with no depreciation, so a bike insured for $2,500 with a $200 deductible pays $2,300 at any age. One thing to watch: paying a total loss ends the policy, so insure the replacement bike the day you buy it.
- Does theft coverage apply to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes?
- Yes. Class 1 (pedal assist to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph) e-bikes are covered for theft under the same locking conditions as a conventional bike, at stated value with no depreciation. High-power electric dirt bikes are not covered.
- Is my bike covered if it is taken by force?
- Yes. Theft by force, threat of force, or violence is a covered loss. There is no lock to defeat in a robbery, so the police report stands in as the proof of loss. Give up the bike, get somewhere safe, and report the time, the place, and exactly what happened.
- What do I need to file a theft claim?
- A police report, filed the same day, is the document every theft claim requires. Add a photo of the defeated lock, receipts for any gear claimed, and your written account of the theft, then start the claim on our claims page. A claims manager contacts you within two business days.
Insure your bike before it's stolen
Theft coverage cannot be added after the bike is gone. Insure it today, from $9 a month, and the next time you lock up, the payout is already settled.