an insurance question

[aclivity]

I currently cycle to the station, fold up my Brompton, then either cycle or walk from the station in Manchester (depending on which train I get, it's either across the road or a mile ride through the city to my office), then keep the folded bike by my desk during the day. I don't lock it in the office as there is usually always someone from my team around.

Change in office space now means that I am "encouraged" (not required, but strongly encouraged) to leave my bike - and cycling clothes, which currently hang over the bike during the day - in a cloakroom.

Do I need to get specific insurance for the bike whilst in the cloakroom, or does my work have a duty to provide some kind of insurance cover? I suspect I will need to buy a lock either way.

[Paul Drawmer]

In the event of a claim from the locker room, if there was no security; then it's possible that the claim could be refuted on the grounds that you made no attempt to secure it in a public place.

So, yes you will need to lock it up. Your workplace has a duty of care to provide 'reasonable security' for you and your belongings, but again there would be restrictions on claims they can make for acts carried out by people who have permitted access. In order for a claim on their insurance to be valid, they might have to be able to prove that there was 'forceful or violent entry or exit'. ie the thief would have to break in (or out if he had hid during working hours).

Not helpful. However if you explain to your work that you are reluctant to leave your bike in the cloakroom because of the lack of security, and ask them how they will help you look after your bike; they might come up with some useful suggestions.