European Theft Insurance for UK Residents

**levitan** · #1 11 Jan 2006

Hi,

My better half and I have a trip planned for later this year, a long haul tour of Europe.

France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden & Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithunia, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Rep, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, back through Slovenia to Italy, France then Spain with a long stop in Andalucia.

We have 8 - 10 months put aside, but I'm really struggling with insurance.

I can cover my gear and health with travel insurance, and I can get liability cover from the ADAC or Alessie.

The problem I have is bike theft insurance. I haven't found a single company in the UK that is interested beyond 90 days. Nobody will cover me.

What does everyone else do on long trips? I can't afford to lose the bike, I don't have the money to replace it.

Previously I've only done short trips and my normal UK policy covers me, but this is the first long haul.

I've looked through existing posts and not found the info I'm looking for, but apologies if I'm duplicating something I've missed.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Dan

**beddhist** · #2 11 Jan 2006

Welcome to the HUBB!

You probably won't like my advice: I wouldn't take a bike or any other gear that I can't afford to lose. However, how is an insurance c. going to know how long you have been on the road?

Buy a decent chain lock and use it, every time. Attach the frame to something solid, like a lamppost. Avoid parking in big cities, especially don't park repeatedly in the same place. Avoid the Med coast like the plague. It's no fun riding there anyway and theft is rampant.

**levitan** · #3 11 Jan 2006

Thanks for the honesty beddhist, and the lock advice.

I can certainly afford to lose anything I take, but not the bike.. might just have to be by the seat of me pants then!

**scdan3** · #4 11 Jan 2006

quote: "However, how is an insurance c. going to know how long you have been on the road?"

Because they demand your ferry tickets / counterfoils before they will honour the claim. Luckily didn't stitch me as was only a 2 weeker. My advice is the same as above, take a bloody big lock! (and use it)

dan

[This message has been edited by scdan3 (edited 11 January 2006).]