Bicycle insurance: Barmenia launches new bicycle and e-bike insurance

Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG is responding to the growing demand for comprehensive bicycle insurance and is launching a new bicycle and e-bike insurance policy just in time for the start of the cycling season. The revised tariff is characterised by an extended scope of benefits and is designed to offer cyclists greater safety. The new features include the inclusion of theft by trickery, cover for rented bicycles and improved protection when travelling.

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Flexible all-round protection for bicycles and e-bikes

Maurice Rosenecker, Head of Product Management at Barmenia, explains the concept of the new insurance:

Barmenia offers bicycle owners popular all-round cover. This is made up of theft and comprehensive cover and a letter of protection.

The modular structure allows customers to deselect the cover letter if necessary and thus obtain customised cover for their bike. Rosenecker emphasises that the individual benefit modules have been further improved with the new tariff.

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Extended cover for rented bicycles

A major new feature of the tariff is the extension of the insurance cover to rented bicycles. Not only the policyholder's own bike or e-bike is covered, but also rental bikes rented by the policyholder or a person living in the same household as the policyholder. This extended cover applies for a period of up to seven days and includes most of the insured risks of theft and comprehensive cover. Particularly practical: even if the garage provides a replacement bike free of charge when the insured bike is being repaired, the insurance cover also applies to this hire bike.

Protection against theft by trickery

Another important aspect of the new tariff is the inclusion of theft by trickery in the insurance cover. Trick thieves often use sophisticated methods to gain access to other people's property, often involving bicycles that are left unattended for a short time. According to Barmenia, a typical scenario is that a cyclist is approached by a person in the city, for example with a request for small change or directions. Meanwhile, an accomplice strikes and steals the bike. With the new theft cover, customers are now also financially protected in such cases of theft by trickery.

Positive trend in bicycle thefts

Maurice Rosenecker points out a positive development: "The good news is that the number of bicycle thefts recorded by the police in Germany has fallen overall." He attributes this to increased prevention measures, better security and attentive owners. Despite this positive trend, however, there is still a risk. Rosenecker emphasises: "If you fall victim to theft by trickery, it's not just annoying, it can quickly become expensive - especially if it involves an e-bike or expensive models such as racing bikes."

Extended travel cover

The new tariff also takes into account the needs of cyclists when travelling. The scope of the cover has been extended and now includes not only the geographical borders of Europe, but also the countries bordering the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira. Barmenia points out that the benefits in the individual countries are provided according to local availability and local conditions. This provides cyclists with more comprehensive cover, even when travelling by bike in the wider European area.

With the introduction of this new bicycle and e-bike insurance, Barmenia is responding to the growing importance of cycling as a means of transport and leisure activity. The extended cover takes into account modern risks such as theft and the increasing use of hire bikes. At the same time, the extension of the geographical scope of cover takes account of the trend towards cycling holidays in other European countries. This gives cyclists the opportunity to insure their bicycle or e-bike more comprehensively and flexibly.