Author Topic: Insuring a Thorn Nomad  (Read 4130 times)

JohnNomad

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Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« on: June 25, 2024, 06:47:35 PM »
Hi I am purchasing a Thorn Nomad MK3 and want to get insurance for it covering the UK and Europe. Has anyone had any recent experience with getting quotes or claims experience or recommendations on companies. There seems to be lots companies just finding a good company offering a good deal. The value will be around £4100 and all require a gold standard lock which also seems to be a bit of a minefield. Any advice appreciated

UKTony

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2024, 08:31:33 PM »
I’m assuming you’re UK based in which case this is worth a read.

https://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=13853.0

I renewed mine with TSB earlier this year from a standalone bike policy to House Cover inc the bike cover option.

I used their default max insured value which I think was £3k or £3.5k. Don’t know if they’ll cover a higher value.

mickeg

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2024, 11:38:39 AM »
I do not live in UK, thus I am only going by what I have heard.  But I hear that this is something you can use in addition to insurance.
https://www.bikeregister.com

JohnR

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2024, 02:16:25 PM »
I do not live in UK, thus I am only going by what I have heard.  But I hear that this is something you can use in addition to insurance.
https://www.bikeregister.com
I use this approach as even the heaviest locks will lose the battle with a battery-powered angle grinder while other lock-destroying tools may damage the bike (eg https://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=15120.0). There are different Bike Register kits and I've recently used the sticker which I have placed in a prominent position on the crossbar on the basis that (i) it will encourage a thief to look elsewhere because the bike is more easily traceable and (ii) if the bike does go astray then it's more likely to find its way back to me. There's also a second sticker in a less prominent location. I would still use a lightweight lock to discourage casual thieves and prefer to not let my best bike get out of my sight.

If the frame is securely locked then a knowledgeable thief might take the rear wheel with the Rohloff hub unless that is also well secured.

Another feature which should discourage the thieves is a good layer of dirt which makes the bike look older and less well cared for than it actually is.

PH

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2024, 11:22:15 AM »
I renewed mine with TSB earlier this year from a standalone bike policy to House Cover inc the bike cover option.
I think the stand alone TSB Pick and Protect insurance may have come to an end, there's nothing on the TSB website about it.  My policy runs out in November, I'll see if they offer existing policy holders anything else.  It's probably been withdrawn by the underwriters, Barclays bank were offering something very similar which has also disappeared.  I don't know when that happened or if it effects including bikes on a household policy.
I have my e-bike with Laka (TSB have never covered them) but it was three times the price for half the insured value.  Where the TSB policy has always won is that it covered additional bikes, it isn't fair to pay so much for them individually, unless stolen from home, the risk per ride is the same whether you have one bike or ten.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2024, 11:25:06 AM by PH »

PH

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2024, 11:53:07 AM »
The value will be around £4100 and all require a gold standard lock which also seems to be a bit of a minefield. Any advice appreciated
That must be a top spec! Look forward to seeing the photos.
The new highest Sold Secure lock standard is Diamond, it was introduced to differentiate too wide a range at the Gold standard. Mostly these are not new locks, just reclassified. SS have never published how well a lock does, just that it reaches the standard for that classification, so if resisting a grinder for two minutes is Gold, then those managing two or ten got the same badge. 
Locking bike advice is a minefield, where, what and how.  Then there's how attractive your four grand bike is, very attractive to someone who knows what it is, will take the time to find buyers and probably strip it to avoid recognition.  Pretty much worthless to someone looking for a quick few quid, Halfords MTB's sell easier.  I knew someone who's unusual folder, an Airnimal Rhino, was stolen twice and both times recovered within a few days. There's countless stories of peoples sheds/garages being broken into and the cheaper bikes taken in preference to the expensive ones. Of course there's also stories of specialist bikes being targeted...
Locks, I use two, D and chain, I have no illusions about them being unbeatable, I'm just hoping they make it more awkward.  As locks get better, what it's locked too may become an easier target. My ideal - Both wheels locked to frame and to solid object or preferably two, both locks have to be removed to wheel the bike away. There's a new type of D lock that's more grinder resistant than anything before it, with not too much a weight penalty. 
https://thebestbikelock.com/security/angle-grinder-proof-bike-lock/
« Last Edit: June 27, 2024, 11:55:23 AM by PH »

geocycle

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2024, 07:38:03 PM »
Generally speaking household insurance is best value. But for more expensive bikes bespoke bike insurance might be better. I use ETA for my Thorn. Not the cheapest but some ethical credentials.
 

JohnNomad

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2024, 07:44:20 AM »
Thanks everyone for your help and advise.Tried my home insurance but they could not quote. When the bike is ready will probably go with Cycle Plan £73 per annum including cover for Europe as I wanted to make sure I was covered in Europe. Have gone for a Yale D Lock which seems to get good reviews and Diamond Standard. Reading all the details regarding locks think it is more about getting thief’s to move on rather than expecting your bike to be safe if left unattended for any length of time. Also have a motion sensor on my present bike which I will transfer. I have also ask SJS to fit a AXA Imenso XL Horse Shoe Frame Lock which will lock the rear wheel to the frame.

PH

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2024, 02:53:40 PM »
Thanks everyone for your help and advise.Tried my home insurance but they could not quote. When the bike is ready will probably go with Cycle Plan £73 per annum including cover for Europe as I wanted to make sure I was covered in Europe. Have gone for a Yale D Lock which seems to get good reviews and Diamond Standard. Reading all the details regarding locks think it is more about getting thief’s to move on rather than expecting your bike to be safe if left unattended for any length of time. Also have a motion sensor on my present bike which I will transfer. I have also ask SJS to fit a AXA Imenso XL Horse Shoe Frame Lock which will lock the rear wheel to the frame.
That doesn't look a bad quote for a single bike.  The advantage of what looks to be the obsolete TSB policy is that after insuring one bike all others were included.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do if unable to re-new that.  Insuring four is otherwise expensive.
Any SS Diamond lock will be great, I'd still be inclined to look at those more grinder resistant.  I'd also look at weights, particularly if you have to ride with it a lot.  Those frame locks are deceptively good at stopping someone from wheeling your bike off.  I have one on my delivery E-bike, it's often in sight but not locked to anything else, I can hopefully run faster than someone carrying it, whereas I stand no chance of catching someone riding off. 
When is the bike due?

JohnNomad

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Re: Insuring a Thorn Nomad
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2024, 09:55:49 PM »
Thanks for your thoughts and advice. Picking up end of July, then a month trying it out locally before going to Europe early September. The Yale lock  has arrived and looks a great bit of kit but can see what you mean about heavy. Be great to have a Thorn again always regretted parting with my Raven