Keep the thief! Insure your electric bike against theft
The electric bicycle is becoming increasingly popular. Not only in the Netherlands, but throughout Europe. Since 2018, more electric bikes than regular bikes are sold every year. At the same time, the e-bike is also becoming increasingly popular among thieves. In fact, the number of e-bikes stolen each year is rising sharply. In 2021, the National Police registered 22,593 reports of stolen e-bikes. That is as much as a quarter more than in 2020 and even three-quarters more than in 2019. Moreover, it is more than four times the number of stolen cars. Do you own an electric bike? If so, there are some things you can do to make it harder for thieves to steal your e-bike.
How do you prevent theft of your electric bike?
Preventing theft is becoming increasingly difficult. Nowadays, videos on TikTok demonstrate how easy it is to open a bicycle lock. For this they use a runner, so the lock does not have to be forced. However, it is still important to have a good lock on your electric bike. Good locks reduce the chances of your electric bike being stolen. Moreover, good quality locks are often also a requirement when taking out e-bike insurance. Insurers require an ART-approved lock. This must be at least a category 2 lock. Are you buying your e-bike from a bicycle dealer? Then they can help you get the right locks. They know which requirements insurers have for a lock. If the electric bicycle is stolen, you must be able to produce two keys. In this way the insurance company will check if the electric bicycle was really locked.
Some other tips to make theft of your electric bike more difficult:
- Always secure your electric bike on the street with an additional lock to an object that cannot be removed, such as a stationary bike rack, lamp post or tree;
- Whenever possible, park your bicycle in a guarded bike rack and as much as possible within sight of the supervisor or others;
- Lock your bicycle securely in your own shed as well, preferably with two locks. You can also buy a wall or floor anchor to secure the bike to;
- Without a battery, an electric bike is already much less interesting to thieves. So take it with you whenever possible.
Be prepared for theft: take out E-bike insurance
The risk of electric bicycle theft is increasing. Last year, in most cases, an electric bicycle was stolen on the street. In 1900 cases, the thieves broke in or used force to steal the bike. A good lock is important, but only acts as a delaying device. Therefore, in addition to the tips above, you may want to look into e-bike insurance.
You are not required to insure your electric bike unless you have a fast e-bike (a speed pedelec). Nevertheless, a good e-bike insurance is not an unnecessary luxury. With e-bike insurance, your electric bicycle is insured against damage and theft. Of course, an electric bicycle is not cheap to buy. The average price for a good quality electric bike is between €1200 and €2500. So replacing a stolen e-bike is an expensive joke. Because of its high value, electric bikes are therefore more often insured than regular bikes.
What should I do if an electric bicycle is stolen?
Even if you take good precautions, your bike may be stolen. Thieves are coming up with ever smarter ways to steal an e-bike. Proportionally, electric bikes are more likely to be stolen. If you have e-bike insurance, you can claim against the insurance company in case of theft. It is important that you report the theft to the police immediately. If no report is made, the insurance company will not pay out. Then contact your insurer directly. They will give you further instructions.
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