Is damage from a failed theft attempt covered?
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Yes, damage from a failed theft attempt is covered as physical damage to the bike, the same way crash damage is. A frame bent by a pry bar, a fork or dropout twisted by someone wrenching the bike off a rack, or a wheel ruined when the thief gave up halfway is repaired, or the bike replaced when repair is not possible, minus your deductible. The policy is all-risk, meaning anything not specifically excluded is covered, and damage done by a thief is not excluded.
Two things shape the payout. Cosmetic damage is excluded, so scratches, gouges, and dents that do not affect how the bike rides are not paid, while a cracked seat stay or a bent dropout is a claim; the line is drawn in is cosmetic damage covered. And the deductible applies to each loss, so a repair that costs less than your deductible is cheaper to pay out of pocket.
Does the lock affect a failed-theft claim?
Yes. The lock is the reason the attempt failed, and a cut, bent, or drilled lock is the clearest evidence that someone tried, so photograph it where it hangs before you touch anything. Keep locking the bike to an immovable object with a key or combination lock, because the next attempt may succeed and a theft claim then turns on the bike theft coverage conditions. A thief who strips wheels or a battery instead of taking the whole bike is a different claim, covered in stolen components.
What do I do after an attempted theft?
Report it to the police right away: the policy requires that theft, vandalism, and malicious damage be reported to the authorities immediately, and the report is the official record of the attempt. Photograph the damage and the lock, keep the lock, and get a repair estimate from your shop, but hold off on repairs until the claim is open, because the insurer has the right to inspect the damage before repairs are made. Then start the claim with the police report, the photos, and the estimate; the steps are in how to file a claim.
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