| Halifax home insurance is now providing a more | | | | protect their cycles and also make sure they are |
| thorough cover offer by including bike insurance in | | | | insured, both in the home and also when out in public |
| their deal. With this week marking National Bike Week | | | | places." |
| (June 16-22), Halifax has decided to send a warning | | | | Halifax data shows that London is the most risky |
| to all those hitting the cycle track regarding the | | | | area for cyclists, with regions of the Capital |
| potential dangers of bike thieves. The company is | | | | accounting for four of the top ten bike theft hot |
| also offering incentives to those taking out home | | | | spots. Other vulnerable areas include Bristol, Reading |
| insurance, which is now also going to provide cover | | | | and Chester. |
| for bikes. | | | | Despite the risks, the company claims there are |
| While National Bike Week is a great time to hang up | | | | various simple ways to reduce the likelihood of having |
| the car keys and take a greener approach to travel, | | | | bikes stolen. It encourages cyclists to make use of |
| Halifax Home Insurance is concerned that people | | | | specific bike parking racks and always keep bikes |
| could become victims of theft if they do not take | | | | locked, even when leaving them for short periods of |
| care. A recent study from the British Crime Survey | | | | time. Using hardened steel U-type locks and |
| shows that a bike is stolen in the UK every 65 | | | | considering anti-pry devices are advised. |
| seconds, on average, and that the cost of replacing a | | | | In addition to the general safety tips, it reveals that |
| bike is typically £337. | | | | Halifax Home Insurance offers bike cover up to |
| Head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, | | | | £500 as standard and that those with a value |
| David Rochester, said: "One bicycle theft every 65 | | | | exceeding this will be insured providing the customer |
| seconds is shocking. While cycling has many benefits | | | | has listed it as a special item on their policy. And for |
| for people's health and also the environment, it is | | | | additional cover, it may be worth looking into cover |
| important that people take adequate measures to | | | | for theft away from the property. |