written by frankois on 07/07/2022
Useless - do not get this insurance. My bike was stolen from me whilst I was having dinner and had the bike by my side. Claim was rejected as their definition of theft has to involve some sort of violence and entry and exiting - basically a wording issue. Claim rejected immediately. Made formal complaint and will go to Ombudsman. Guy I spoke to was extremely rude and patronising and was sounded as if he was questioning the bike had been stolen - saying things like I do not understand how that happened? Insurance cover that offers no cover.
written by HezekiahBlackburn155 on 29/06/2020
Avoid at all costs! After failing to pay out for my stolen bike I was told that my payments would be cancelled and the account closed. Three weeks later and the monthly charge went out of my bank account (even though I no longer had a bike to insure!). I was then told that the account had not been closed and I in fact owe the company a £10 cancellation fee too! Understandably I was not impressed given that I had been told the account was cancelled and no further payments would be taken. The company finally said they will reimburse the money but over THREE MONTHS later I am still waiting! Overall this company is incredibly untrustworthy and I would avoid if possible.
written by vxRoy438 on 31/07/2016
I had no problems with cycle guard myself. I originally took out the insurance on a new purchase of a £250 bike to replace one I had stolen just before for peace of mind. Sadly8 months later my bike was stolen once again! I called cycle guard who sent out the claim form via email. At first I was nervous if they would payout due to lots of negative reviews found online, however I had a reply within a week and a voucher for a bike store of my choosing (Halfords) within 3 days. Not a bad turn around for any insurance company! Glad I took the insurance out now and happy I did so with Cycleguard!
written by GourmetLPL on 16/02/2015
Made a claim and waited 26 days to hear from the only to inform that the lock is not approved. On my receipt says bronze but for cycleguard it means nothing.no communication or explanation. AVOID.
written by P00sEface on 08/02/2013
Read some bad reviews for Cycle Guard on here while I was waiting for my claim... so I thought I'd chuck in my 2pence worth. I had my bike stolen from my home. I rang them the next day and spoke to a helpful person who told me what to expect, and what I would need to include in my claim. Was slightly disappointed I couldn't do it online, but hey ho. Duly filled out the pretty short form and sent off what they needed, and 3 working days later I had an email to confirm they had received it. I was told to expect a decision within a week, and I didn't get one - I had to call once or twice - but in the end I got it the following week which I didn't consider to be too bad. Again, once I had received confirmation, I had to chase up once or twice to get the voucher (they don't give cash), but this was due to the fact they had got my email address mixed up. All in all, 3 weeks (roughly) and I now have a voucher to go and get a new bike with. As my first experience making an insurance claim I have to say I'm fairly pleased. As to the people who have not had claims paid out due to bikes being left for 24 hours, or incorrect locks being used, I can't really comment. But if you get burgled you should be OK!
written by jackie4a on 12/12/2012
I had my bike stolen September 2012 it is now December and I have just been told the lock was wrong (I disagree it was silver) no payout after paying in for 3 years, this seems the norm with this company. I agree with another reviewer put your money in to an account.
written by TomAud on 23/11/2012
So firstly Cyle Guard were one of the cheaper policies when I was looking at aquiring insurance for my bike but still offered a brilliant level of cover. There terms and conditions and excesses (where appicable) were reasonable and appeared to be in line with their competitors. I have had to claim on the policy due to a car colliding with me. The accident wrote off my bike. The claims form was simple to follow and the tick list ensures that you provide all the documentation required. You have to post or e-mail the form. I e-mailed it and within 3 days my claim had been approved and I got a phone call asking me how I would like to acquire my new bike. You have 3 choices 1: Order from Evans cycles 2: from Cycle surgery 3: from a local bike shop. Options 1 and 2 mean the cash will be available immediately option 3 takes just under a week to transfer the cash. I opted for option 3, Cycleguard conatcted the shop and transffered the money. The whole process was straightfoward and I was kept informed at all points. I really couldn't fault the process. In fact my local bike shop also seemed to rate cycle guard. With any insurance policy there are T's and C's which need to be read. If you don't read them or follow them your experience is likely to end bitterly.
written by cadwgan747 on 23/06/2012
Bike was stolen from outside a station. It was very secure but theives got to it anyway. Used the approved locks. As was there for over 24 hours, my claim was unsuccessful Terms of claiming are very specific, I doubt there is a way you can loose you're back and get a successful claim. I've had a policy for three years, when it comes to having to make a claim, claim is denied. It would be best to put money away to a savings account as least that way you are guaranteed of a pay out! To add insult to injury, I am now paying for a policy for another nine months for a bike I don't have, and hasn't been replaced.
written by on 15/09/2011
I had my bike stolen in August 2011. I used a Gold Tatcham approved lock, golden series from Oxford. I was required for value of my bike to use with silver or better rating lock. On the day Police investigated the scene and wrote a report. My whole bike was stolen, not just parts. I reported to Cycleguard within time limit. So...I was convinced that all conditions were met. Unfortunately I was wrong. They refused my claim on the basis that the lock was not approved by LOCK Secure. So I lost the case. Whatever you do, you always will lose. Spend money on the better lock, DO NOT USE CYCLEGUARD. Their policy has so many restrictions, that getting back the money back from them is highly unlikely.
written by on 04/01/2011
Extremely inefficient claims service. It's been over a month since I claimed and I'm still waiting for them to pay out.
A month is far too long for anybody who relies on a bicycle for transport to be bicycle-less.
When your claim is successful they will only issue you with a voucher for Evans Cycles.
I would suggest to anybody considering cycle insurance to choose another company.
written by on 19/10/2010
Unless your lock is destroyed, you're outta luck with cycleguard!!
I had a Brompton, I locked it to a railing. I came back, and it was gone. but the lock was there. I claimed, but since there was no damage to the lock, I was denied. A waste of 1 year of payments.
Before paying up - consider the value of your bike and ALL the exceptions in their policy. These things are generally not worth the money - mine was an emotional purchase to protect my shiny new bike. I should've thought it through.
written by on 10/08/2010
I had the brakes stolen from my bike. Cycle Guard have a clause that states removable parts are not insured. This means that any item that is not the frame can be taken from you bike and you're not able to make a claim.
AVOID THIS INSURANCE COMPANY, COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!!
written by on 05/05/2010
1. Although my claim was accepted 15th April, it is now 5th May and my last phone call with JLT claims department was the same as the previous 2 weeks which was: "your cheque just needs a signature and then it will be in the post". It seems they just don't want to pay out.
I have been told by the claims manager that he will call me tomorrow morning to confirm that the cheque has been sent.
2. They lost my paper work when I first submitted my claim in early March and told me to send it through again! Then, just as I was about to post my 2nd attempt, I got an email confirming they had received my claim.
3. Their T&Cs state a claim can take up to 10 working days to review. I called up on the 11th day and they said, "oh yes, it seems your claim has been accepted". Great, thanks for telling me!
Of course, I am happy that the claim was accepted with no questioning by Cycleguard/JLT, but the level of service is pretty low and I have waited so long/fielded many excuses for my cheque arrival I am very tempted to go elsewhere. This moan/loss of a customer could have easily been avoided.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Subishi's Comment
Written on: 05/12/2012
Why on earth would an insurance company pay for a bike that has been stolen and the lock is still in tact? Does it not leave the path wide open for fraud?