Road bike insurance

Whether you’re new to road cycling, ride with a group every weekend, or take part in triathlons and road races, we’ve got the bicycle cover that’s right for you. Choose from three insurance covers and add optional extras – like cover for racing or travelling with your bike – if you need them.

Getting cycling insurance through Direct Line means you'll only pay for what you need, nothing more.

Bicycle Cover

Cover against theft, accidental or malicious damage to your bike and accessories.

Cyclist Cover

Public liability cover against damage or injury caused by you.

Bicycle & Cyclist Cover

Cover against theft or damage to your bike and accessories, plus public liability for you.

Why get road bike insurance?

Road cycling isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about feeling the wind on your face, taking in the breathtaking scenery and beating your personal best.

Even if you’ve added your road bike to your home contents insurance, it may not be covered while you’re out and about.

Check your existing home insurance policy to see whether it covers you for:

  • Accidental damage while you’re cycling or participating in a sportive
  • Theft away from your home
  • Malicious damage
  • Taking your bike abroad
  • Replacement bike hire
  • Taxi fare reimbursement
  • Cycling accessories, including personal gear and additional wheelsets

Specialist cycling insurance can be more cost-effective than adding your bicycle to your home contents insurance. It also means your claim will be handled by an experienced and knowledgeable team. Just what you need to help you get back on the road.

Get a quote now and you could get your road bike covered from today.

Why choose Direct Line Cycling Insurance?

It takes a fellow rider to understand just how important your wheels are. That's why the team behind Direct Line Cycling Insurance has specialist knowledge and a passion for two wheels. You'll find them out most weekends, exploring new routes, fine-tuning their gears and testing out new kit. They get it, they really do.

They’ll also aim to resolve your claim within one working day. Nobody likes waiting, so once they’ve got all the relevant information, they’ll get you back on your bike as soon as possible.

The following cover comes as standard with Direct Line Cycling Insurance:

  • Accidental or malicious damage
    Your bike will either be repaired , or the damaged parts will be replaced.
  • Theft (from your home or away)
    As long as you've secured your bike with an approved lock and followed the required security measures, your bike will be covered against theft.
  • Theft from a roof rack or trailer
    Provided it hasn't been left unsecured or unattended (see approved locks for more information).
  • Reimbursement for cycle hire and transport costs
    If your bike's out of action, you'll need some wheels to get around on - especially if you're training for an event. That's why you'll get up to £500 to hire a suitable replacement, or to cover your transport costs while your bike is being repaired or replaced.
  • Onward travel
    If your bike's stolen or you've had an accident and can't cycle, you'll be reimbursed the cost of your taxi fare to get yourself and your bike home, to the nearest station or bike repair shop – whichever is closest.
  • Roof rack and transit cover
    Your bike is covered for any damage caused while you're transporting it securely.
  • Multi-Bike Discount
    If you've got another bike worth over £250 to insure, save money by adding it to the same policy. The more bikes you insure, the more you'll save, with 10% off your second bike and 15% off three or more bikes. The most valuable bike will be counted as the first bike on your policy, so discounts will apply to each bike thereafter. Excludes optional extras.
  • New for old replacement
    If you need to claim for a total loss of your bike due to theft or irreparable damage, we'll replace your bicycle with a comparable make/model up to your benefit limit, if you bought it new. If your bicycle is second-hand or discontinued, we'll reimburse you for it's current market value, subject to depreciation.
  • Your cycling kit
    You'll get up to £250 cover for your cycling kit, which includes accessories, clothing, helmets, GPS, additional wheelsets and your bike box. Please note, this cover is only valid as part of a larger claim for damage or theft of your bicycle. So, if your helmet is stolen from your bag, it's not covered. If it's damaged in an accident which also damaged your bike, it will be covered.
  • Cycling gear worth over £250
    If your kit is worth more than £250, just let us know how much it's worth when you get a quote, and we'll include the extra cover in your premium. We can insure your cycling accessories up to the value of £5,000.
Back to top

Get the cover you need for your road bike

Road bike events and challenges

If you’re just starting out, you may not need cover for events, but if you decide to take part in sportives, road cycling events or races, you can add Race and Event Cover to your bike insurance.

It’ll cover you for:

  • Damage to your bike during a competition or group event
  • Theft or damage to your bike during transitions (provided your bicycle is stored in the demarcated transition zone)
  • Reimbursement of race entry fees for any cycling events you’ve entered and can’t compete in because you’ve hurt yourself while riding your insured bike

Need cyclist insurance, too?

It’s not just your wheels and your kit that matter, you do too. You can get covered for accidents and injury to yourself, and, depending on the level of cover you choose, our Bicycle & Cyclist insurance can cover you for:

  • Theft or accidental damage of your bike
  • Theft or damage to your cycling gear
  • Public liability
  • Personal injury
  • Emergency medical bills

Travel Cover for your road bike

If you ride overseas a lot, it could be worth covering your bike and cycling kit by adding worldwide Travel Cover to your policy. You can then go and ride the famous Danube Cycle Path or explore the Flanders Beer Routes, knowing you’re covered.

If you decide to take your bike on a one-off overseas adventure, you can simply add Travel Cover to your policy. Just let us know and we’ll extend your bicycle and accessories cover worldwide for up to 365 days in any 12-month period, limited to 90 consecutive days per trip.

Get the right lock for your bike

Any bicycle theft claim you make is subject to specific security conditions, so make sure you follow the required security measures. Your claim may be rejected or not fully paid if you don't use the correct approved lock for the value of your bike and store it safely and securely.

Cycling insurance tips, FAQs and policy documents

Take a look at the Cycling Insurance policy documents:

Frequently asked questions

If the handlebars or other permanently attached parts are stolen off your bicycle, they’ll be replaced. If your quick-release wheels are stolen, they’ll be covered only if there is proof that the bicycle was securely locked at the time (but thieves managed to cut through). Read more about locking your bicycle.

Accessories that aren't permanently attached, like a bike computer, are only covered if they are damaged during a crash or taken during a larger theft - so if your bike computer is pinched off your bike while it's parked outside your office, it won't be covered.

Home contents insurance often has limitations regarding your bike’s value and the circumstances under which it’s covered (usually just while it’s stored at your home). With Direct Line Cycling Insurance, you can get cover for accidental damage or theft while you’re out riding or taking part in events.

Latest articles

Two people smiling as they ride their bikes together on a sunny day.

Why is cycling good for your mental health?

It's more important than ever to look after our mental health. Luckily, there are lots of ways to help keep yourself in a good headspace, and cycling is right up there among the best.

Middle-aged couple riding electric bikes in the park.

E-bikes: why they're taking over the UK cycling scene

Electric bikes, have seen a huge increase in sales over the past couple of years.But what exactly is an e-bike and why are they so popular?

Smiling woman on bike in the countryside.

7 reasons why cycling is the best post-lockdown exercise

After a year without the usual distractions of a daily commute and busy social lives, the pandemic gave many of us the chance to look inward, re-evaluate our lives, prioritise our health and set new goals.