Best Bicycle Insurance sin Germany [2024] - Navigate Germany

You will find a lot of cycles during your visit to Germany. If you plan to have a bicycle in Germany, you must know about bicycle insurance to avoid any losses.

Best Bicycle Insurance in Germany

Due to the popularity of cycling in germany, you will find specific road lanes for cyclists. The number of bicycles and e-bikes is increasing daily and people are buying two-wheelers for different purposes. Germany start innovative projects from time to time to promote cycling, and gives a cycling prize to the best cycling project every year. Here are the two kinds of insurances;

1. Home content insurance
2. Independent bike insurance 

Overview of Best Insurance Providers

Pros of Cycling

Cycling is linked with several benefits as mentioned here.

• Provides strength to muscles and bones.
• Keeps you active and healthy.
• Reduces stress levels.
• Enhances joint mobility.
• Environmentally friendly because of no pollution.
• Reduce fat in the body and lose weight too.

Best Time to Get Your Bike Insured

Get your bike insured against the theft as soon as you buy it. Before you get your bicycle insurance, check your home content insurance that may have bicycle theft insurance. Otherwise, you need to get separate bike insurance.

Why Do You Need Separate Insurance?

Germany is a well-developed country, but theft cases are common in larger German cities. As per 2020 stats; - Theft loss was 110 million Euros
- Stolen-insured bicycles were 145000.
- Average bike price was 730 Euros.
- More theft cases in Cologne, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Leipzig.

Here is the comparison of reported and solved cases;

As of 2021, - 125000 lost bikes. - Total damage of 110 million Euros. - Average loss per theft was 860 Euros. - 25000 cases were reported in Berlin.

It is not compulsory but you must get it if; - You have a new bike. - You use your bike frequently and park it outside. - Your bike is expensive (over 500 Euros).

Helden

Helden is based in Hamburg and founded in 2016. They offer customization options according to your needs no matter if your bike is old or has a carbon frame.

Benefits

• Get insurance for your 3-year-old bike and second-hand bicycles.
• No lock requirement.
• No deduction.
• Additional pick-up service.
• Customer support in English.
• Anytime cancellation.

Drawbacks

• No insurance for bikes older than 3 years.
• Website in German.

Insurance Coverage

Coverage is available for;

• Bike parts
• Battery protection
• Luggage
• Bikes used for sports purposes
• Accessories
• Damages due to accidents

Hepster

This insurance company was founded in 2016, offering services for sports equipment at a higher cost with a vision to offer the best experience for their customers. They use modern technology to offer quality services and cover theft, accidents, and wear and tear.

Insurance Subscriptions

They offer insurance plans for a specific period, such as, summer, race, or tour through their two kinds of covers;

1. Monthly subscription
2. Annual subscription

Choose an annual subscription based on the facts given here; - One-time protection of 7 to 30 days.
- Annual cover from 5 Euros per month (60 Euros per year).
- The price depends on the price of the bike.
- No deductions.
- Cancellation after three days when one year of the contract has passed.

Benefits

• Great option for expensive bikes, even 10000 Euros.
• Covers theft and burglary.
• Pay for the accidental wear and tear.
• No purchase price limit.
• Protection for bikes with carbon frames.
• No age restriction.
• Pays the restoration value.
• Worldwide services.
• 24 hours customer support and protection.

Drawback

• Website in German.
• Customer support and application in English.
• Wait for 6 weeks for bikes older than 1 year.
• 4 months waiting time for wear and tear protection.
• Wear and tear for bicycles not older than 3 years.

Insurance Coverage

Coverage is available for;

• Bikes with carbon frame
• Spare parts
• Bikes for private and professional use
• Borrowed and rented bikes
• Accessories
• Battery protection
• Luggage 

MVK

MVK was founded in 1899, offering economical plans (classic and top) for casual bikes, common bikes, and E-bikes. The classic plan is for infrequent travelers and does not include breakdown services.

Benefits

• New and second-hand bikes.
• Old bikes of only 3 years.
• Zero deductible.
• Pick-up services.

Limitations

• Optional breakdown.
• No insurance for bikes beyond 3 years.
• No number lock.

Insurance Coverage

Coverage is available for;

• Bicycle parts
• Tire, brake, and gear damages for E-bikes
• Battery protection
• Damages due to accidents, wear and tear, and vandalism
• Private bikes only

Feather

This digital insurance provider offer quick, paperless, and customer-oriented services irrespective of the gender, income level, or nationality. 

Insurance Covers

Insurance coverage includes; - Parts
- Battery protection
- Damages due to wear and tear and vandalism
- Private bikes only

They offer two kinds of covers; 1. Basic cover
2. Comfort cover

Basic Cover

Their basic insurance starts from 290 Euros per month in which you can protect your cycle from theft.

Comfort Cover

It provide protection from accidents and wear and tear.

Benefits of Comfort Cover

• Restoration cost.
• Covers bike up to 10000 Euros.
• Damages due to theft and burglary.
• Website and customer support in English.
• Customer-focused application.
• 24 hours protection.
• Worldwide coverage.
• Any time cancellation.

Disadvantages of Comfort Cover

• 6 months waiting time for wear and tear.
• Required to lock the bicycle against an immovable object to get benefits.
• The minimum value must be more than 29 Euros.
• Bikes of 0 to 6 months old.
• No coverage for bikes with carbon frames.

Bike Insurance Cost

The cost depends on the price and type of bike (standard bikes and E-bikes) you have. The calculator on the website helps you to calculate the price od basic and comfort cover when you mention details of your bike.

No Coverage

Few damages are not covered by the bicycle insurance, so you must clarify before you sign a contract.

• Damages made by yourself or intentional losses
• Expenses due to maintenance and inspection
• Losses due to third parties, such as, the manufacturer of the bike, fixing a defect in the bike.
• Scratches, painting, rust, or oxidation
• Damage beyond the insured amount 
• Damages during competitions
• Loss due to not using an approved lock
• Damage for an unreported stolen bike.
• Damage to third party, while biking

Wrapping Up

So, Cycling in Germany is very popular due to several benefits linked to it. Bike theft is common un Germany, especially in Berlin. So, if you plan to buy a cycle, you must secure your bicycle with an insurance plan which eill take care of your asset in case of damages and losses.