insurance of rented hire bicycles

[gordonyoung]

I am going to Sweden in September and planning to cycle some of the Kattegat route. I wasn't going to take my own bike as I have to fly and instead rent one or take an organised trip. i have found that the companies expect you to have your own insurance to cover theft or damage to the bike as they expect this to be covered on your own travel or house insurance. However in Ireland these only cover your own bike. so my question is has anyone identified an insurance company that covers a short cycle rental. I had thought of going with Eurobike (they offer the insurance) but all the holidays in Denmark or Sweden end at the end of August.

many thanks Gordon Young, Limerick , Ireland.

[HarryD]

First question is what would the value of the hire bike be? The hire company should be able to tell you. Bear in mind many companies sell off their bikes at the end of the season so full replacement price would be a rip off

Second, how likely is the bike to be stolen or damaged? What is your experiences with your own bikes? And over what time frame?

Compare the two. Is insurance such a good deal? Offer them a refundable deposit instead of insurance - far less hassle for all. Take care of the bike and take a good lock

I've never insured my bikes and over 45 years have never had one stolen nor suffered damage of the sort that could generate a claim

[simonhill]

I'd ask the hire company for an insurance company.

It's ridiculous to expect everyone to have travel insurance that covers bikes (mine doesn't) or a household policy that does(mine's only specified bikes).

Sounds a bit like the hire company are opting out of some of their responsibilities. Maybe you should pay a deposit to cover insurance excess, but not have to cover the full liability.

Third party is another matter, but I'm covered by Cycling UK.

[Jdsk]

I was surprised by this. And I don't understand why the rental company would do it that way rather than requiring you to pay a premium to an insurance company that they have selected.

Please could you give us an example so that we can look at the terms and conditions.

Thanks

Jonathan

[gordonyoung]

Well I am 72 now and have had bicycles since I was 9 and completed a lot tours and never had one stolen or damaged that I couldn't repair myself so I guess the risk is pretty low. I have also for the last 15 years been going for at least week each summer with companies such as Eurobike, Radweg Reisen, Bikecycling (nothing to do with birds anymore - Poland and eastern europe and really good value) etc and never had any problems with theft or damage!

I terms of insurance I only have the replies to the questions I sent to the rental companies and tour companies in Sweden who all said that they expected the hirer to have their own insurance. Eurobike do offer insurance but all their holidays stop at the end of August.

I am now thinking of just taking the risk myself as I don't want the hassle of taking my own bike.

Thanks for your replies.

[gordonyoung]

Thanks HarryD for reminding me of real risk as against perceived risk!

[TrevA]

I did read a review of a hire company that I used, that gave an account of a hire bike being stolen from inside a locked car, and the customer was complaining that he lost his deposit. So theft of hire bikes does happen, albeit very rarely.