Electric Bike Insurance

SteveT1505

My son bought an electric bike as he doesn't drive and works 7 or 8 miles away from his home. He took out a specific electric bike insurance. A couple of weeks ago an opportunist thief stole the bike from within his conservatory, the insurance company are refusing to pay up as there was  no forced or violent entry. 

The things to point out:

There is an explicit clause in the policy that requires all claims to be as a result of forced entry.
He was at home at the time, working in his front room.
The door to the conservatory was not locked and the conservatory windows were open,  as was the door into the kitchen, it was a hot day.
There is a passage way between the houses that leads to the rear gardens. Typical old railway house.

That all sounds like they are not being unreasonable, however, when you think about it, is it reasonable for the insurance company to require you, to have to have all your doors and windows locked at a time when you are at home and awake.  The only people I know that do that live in flats. It means no opening of doors or windows for ventilation, having to unlock and lock the back door every time you want to hang out your washing or go out to the garden for any reason. Should you presence within the property be regarded as sufficient deterrent?

Is this clause an "unreasonable clause" in respect of the Unfair Terms Act or any more recent legislation?

elsien

I live in a similar house, but I work in a room overlooking the back so I can see if anyone tries to get in if the back door is open. I also have a dog who, while completely useless as a guard dog looks intimidating and is also a deterrent.
 I would not leave it unlocked if I wasn’t in a position to see what was going on for example, if I was working at the front of the house. 
There’s a difference between houses with a secure garden and those of us who live where random members of the public could wander past should they choose to do so. 

bluelad1927

From an insurers point of view it makes perfect sense not to pay out on unforced entry. Anyone having gone out leaving their home unsecured would claim that they were home when a theft took place

Wyndham

I have an ebike and keep it in my garage - but there is a clause in the insurance which states that if it is kept in an outbuilding it needs to be attached to an 'immovable object' with a lock of a certain industry standard. The garage is attached to the house, so isn't quite an 'outbuilding', but the bike is securely attached to the wall when I'm not using it.

If I didn't do that, and someone stole the bike when the garage door was open, then I'd feel that it was my fault for leaving it so accessible. I'm also quite paranoid when I'm out and about with it, and again wouldn't leave it unattended or not locked to something, even for a minute.

I'm not sure if conservatories count as part of the house, or if they are also an outbuilding?

I work from home, and the desk is by the patio door. If I'm leaving the desk, even for a minute, I close and lock the door - my laptop is just on the desk and while I don't often get anyone in the garden, I don't want to lose it to an opportunist. I consider that to be common sense, though I think you would disagree....

tunde10

This is why i don't bother with insurance for my bike.

The conditions to actually have a successful claim is so rare that you're better off putting money aside each month to be buy a new or used bike if it gets stolen.

DigSunPap

It is a stupid clause but if that was in the agreement when you took it out, there isn't a lot you can do. I think most insurance policies use clauses like this and they always make you jump through ridiculous hoops for your claim to be successful.