When I was taking out my mortgage a couple of years ago (with Abbey), the lady asked me if I wanted buildings insurance. I'm pretty lazy by nature and couldn't be bothered shopping around, so I just said "Go on then". Then she asked if I wanted contents insurance too, and I said "Go on then". She asked if I had anything very valuable, and I scratched my head a bit and said "Well, an expensive watch I guess, and my bike cost me £1100 last year". Then I thought nothing more about it.
A few weeks ago, I was running late with a girlfriend and we didn't have time to park our bikes in the normal secure place, so we took them into town. We parked them in a busy street, on a proper bike-park-thing, with the 'good' bike (04 Stumpjumper) hidden behind my old duffer bike, but sure enough when we came out of the show the good bike and the lock were gone, but the old duffer (a 1988 Stumpjumper!) was still there. Arse! That's the first time in it's 3yr life that I'd ever taken it into town.
Anyway. I called the insurance company with no receipt, no proof of purchase, nothing except a sad story, and it took about 30seconds for the lady to say "That's fine Mr Downie, we'll send a cheque for £1100 today". Blimey! I thought that was pretty amazing service.