Is it compulsory to insure your electric bike?

However, if you have third-party liability coverage, the victim's medical expenses will be covered. In Belgium, this cover is not compulsory, but is included in comprehensive home insurance. Although insurance is not compulsory, it may be worthwhile covering you against theft and damage. Finally, speedbikes require compulsory insurance.

Rates, conditions and options: we explain everything you need to know about electric bike insurance!

Insurance is not compulsory. You don't have to take out specific insurance if your electric bike's power output doesn't exceed 250 watts, and the assistance stops once you reach 25 km per hour.

You're in exactly the same position as a "normal" cyclist, and therefore responsible for any damage you may cause to others.

However, given that the average purchase price of an electric bike is close to €2,000, taking out insurance can help you get a better night's sleep ;).

With over 100,000 bicycles stolen every year in Belgium, unfortunately, electric bikes are not spared. Depending on how you use your bike and where you park it, insurance against theft may be worthwhile.

We'll come back to the different cover options and their cost later in this article.

Speedbikes come under moped legislation and must be insured as such. Third-party liability is also compulsory. If you don't have insurance, you're liable to a fine of several thousand euros. While the fine is a deterrent, the risk of causing an accident without coverage is far more serious.

Like car insurance, insurance for your EAB can be fully customized to suit your needs. Let's take a look at the main coverages your insurer will offer you.

Because of the lack of parking, theft is one of the biggest fears of electric bike owners. However, it is possible to limit the risks of theft (notably by using anti-theft locks and chains). While this may deter or delay theft of your EAB, these security accessories are not enough to prevent theft. We strongly advise you to take out specific insurance.

Note that if the theft is committed from your home, your comprehensive home insurance should cover you. If your bike is never left unattended when you're out and about, you can certainly do without this extra security. We still recommend that you speak to your insurer to be sure!

However, as soon as you leave your home, even if the bike is parked in front of your house, you are no longer covered against theft. That's why we strongly advise you to take out theft insurance if you usually park your bike on the street, on your way to work for example.

The cost of insuring your EAB will depend on its value, the insurer and the options you choose. The annual cost is estimated at between 3.25% and 6% of the purchase price of your bike. For an electric bike costing €2,000 - the average price new in Belgium - VAE theft insurance will cost you approximately €65 to €118 a year, or between €5.50 and €10 a month.

For no more than €10 a month, you'll be covered against theft and damage in the street, so you can ride with peace of mind! Here's a quote for electric bike insurance:

Add a few euros, and you can even add accidental breakage. 

If you bought your new EAB and it's stolen in its first year, your insurer will usually reimburse you 100% of the purchase price, and you'll only have to pay the deductible. As your bike gets older, things get more complicated...

Insurers apply a rate of obsolescence: the older your bike, the less you'll be reimbursed. This is an essential point to check if you decide to take out theft insurance. The discount applied by insurers is generally 1% per month of the cycle's age.

Let's take an example: we've made an online quote with a specialist insurer for an electric-assist bike worth €2,000. The rates of obsolescence applied are generally 1% per month, up to a limit of 40%.

If your EAB is stolen after 4 years, you will be reimbursed very little: 50% of €2,000 minus the deductible (in our case €250), so you will get €750 for the theft of your €2,000 bike! With an annual insurance premium of around €150, the value of theft insurance needs to be reassessed over time.

Good to know: many insurers require you to fit an anti-theft device that complies with the SRA standard and Bicycode marking.

Don't waste any time filing a complaint with the police! Insurers generally require you to file a report within 48 hours of your cycle being stolen. Then contact your insurer to find out how to proceed. Today's insurers offer the possibility of carrying out all these procedures electronically (on their application/website), enabling you to follow the progress of your claim online.

To declare your claim, bring proof that you have lodged a complaint, as well as all the documents you need to build up your case: photos of the circumstances of the theft (if there has been a break-in, for example), all the relevant invoices (bike, your certified anti-theft device, accessories, etc.).

What if my bike breaks down right now? This unpleasant thought often invades cyclists' minds when they leave home. To avoid having to push a machine generally weighing between 15 and 20 kg to the next repair shop or to your place of work, better insurance offers assistance in the event of your EAB malfunctioning. 

If your bike is your main means of transport, it may be a good idea to opt for breakdown cover, with an option that includes the loan of a bike for the duration of the repair. Many insurers can also send you a loan bike to take you home or to your place of work! Please note, however, that this service and certain options may not be covered.

To increase the safety or replace the insurance on your electric bike, there are alternatives.

• A secure anti-theft device: you'll need to spend between €50 and €200, but certain anti-theft devices Abus, Kryptonite, Hiplock and Auvray can totally deter thieves, and don't hesitate to use several!
  
  
• Geolocation: whether native (Cowboy, certain Bosch VAEs) or via an accessory such as an Apple Airtag or Invoxia GPS tracker, geolocation enables you to find your bike in the event of theft. Some electric bikes even add notifications of movement, useful for stopping theft in progress.