Home insurance helps make bikes safe

Cyclists, particularly students, are urged to get their home insurance to cover their bike as well, in light of new data revealing bicycle crimes amounting to £18.7 million each year.

According to research from Direct Line, approximately 106 bikes are stolen from university students every day, each costing around £160 to replace.

Claims for stolen bicycles have tended to increase by up to 34 per cent in September, when students usually start university. However, despite the risks, 32 per cent of cyclists had no cover on their vehicle, leaving 800,000 bikes around the country uninsured.

Head of home insurance Andrew Lowe said: "With so many students at risk of having their bike stolen, we would strongly advise them to either take out their own insurance or check to see if their parents' policy covers them."

Tips for keeping a bike safe include keeping it in a place with CCTV, locking both the wheels and frame together and getting your home insurance extended to cover bicycles.

07/09/2007 12:51:49