Cycle carrier failed and bike damaged, can I claim?

ecombe

I had my bikes on a rear mounted cycle carrier and had checked the straps and tightened them before setting off and also after an hour of driving. Everything was secure but at 70mph on the motorway the straps snapped leaving just frayed stubs. The carrier stayed on the car but my new bike flew through the air and bounced in the middle of the motorway. Thankfully nobody was hurt but all the cars behind me stopped. Someone chucked it into the verge and carried on.

My bike has been run over and it's a £1000 bike, just a few weeks old. Car insurance say it's not insured under them, it wasn't listed on home insurance and even if it was, people say bikes on home insurance are rarely covered during transit. Not only is the bike not covered but you are not covered for any damage it might do.

I feel thankful nobody was hurt but aggrieved because I can prove I had fitted it correctly by the fact that the frayed straps left dangling are proof that those straps were holding the bike on until they snapped.

Can I claim from anyone? Is anyone an expert on items like roof boxes and bikes that are often attached to cars?

If not, let it be a warning to others that ...

A) You are probably not insured unless you specifically arrange such insurance for roof boxes or bikes attached to a vehicle.
Strong looking nylon straps can snap. When 1 strap snaps, the other one will snap too. Add an extra strap of your own to hold the last bike onto the bike rack, just to be sure!

macman

Any claim would be against the retailer under CRA 2015. Crucially, how long have you had the carrier?

Keep_pedalling

It is highly likely the straps were already damaged before they failed, so unless the carrier was relatively new you have little chance of a claim against the retailer.

Personally I hate those things. I used to carry bikes on top until I got a tow bar mounted carrier which is brilliant, but expensive.

ecombe

Thanks, it's a 14 year old Halfords bike carrier...

It was metal frame with plastic parts, foam pads and nylon straps. All looked in perfect condition until the nylon straps snapped when in use.

ecombe

The straps looked perfect, not frayed. They may have deteriorated over the years but they showed no signs of deterioration which could have alerted me to the risk.

gardner1

14 yr old........no doubt some small print somewhere will state straps should be/recommended be changed after so many years

ecombe

True, my only proof that I even bought it from Halfords is it's their own brand. Would not recommend btw. Interestingly I read an article on a cycling website that said always bungee the bikes on in addition to strap so the straps are not under full strain.

Nasqueron

A bike rack that lasted 14 years without replacing straps - how is that NOT a recommendation?

Blibble

Aside from the carrier, I've seen claims logged previously for damage to cycle away from the home. Does your home insurance include personal possessions cover?

FYI - even if cover does exist, it will likely not be to the full new-for-old replacement value of the cycle, as these claims are often capped at £500 / £750 unless the cycle if specified on the policy.

photome

14 years old, lies your problem..nothing lasts forever. straps would have been weakened over the years exposed to sun and rain, maybe they were to tight



I dont trust those rear carriers, I carry mine on the roof, roof bars and cycle carriers, no straps to snap

molerat

photome wrote: »

14 years old, lies your problem..nothing lasts forever. straps would have been weakened over the years exposed to sun and rain, maybe they were to tight

Agreed, after that amount of time the straps do weaken and sometimes just pull apart or are easily cut going over a slightly sharp edge.

photome wrote: »

I dont trust those rear carriers, I carry mine on the roof, roof bars and cycle carriers, no straps to snap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5874869/home-insurance-for-damage-to-car :eek: