What qualifies as a shed for insurers?
Discussion
Ahoy, I've been looking at alternate bikes, pretty ready to pull the trigger and thought I better check insurance.
In a shed, £171 for the year. On private property, £806. Balls.
Currently I lock and cover my bike out of sight on private property. I do have a brick built shed/workshop however it would take about 20 minutes to get it in or out due to distance and physical restrictions. Not practical. It's also full of car parts and machinery I would need to rehome.
I've been looking for alternatives, and where I keep the bike I could build something like below. This would be perfect as it wouldn't block the window above where the bike is (house is built into a slight hill so inside is much higher than outside, bottom of the window is about 5ft tall).

If the above is acceptable then great. I asked my broker what would qualify as a shed and the lady said "a wood, metal or brick structure". Great. She then says "but it changes all the time so you might need to provide photos and each insurer will make their own decision so call on the day and make sure what you have is suitable". I described the above and she just said it'd be at policy inception to send the photo, but it could be liable to change.
What I don't want to do is build something like above, only to the be told its not suitable. Does anyone else have similar and no issues with insurance?
I don't want to buy a steel shed as it'll likely foul the window above where I keep it.
In a shed, £171 for the year. On private property, £806. Balls.
Currently I lock and cover my bike out of sight on private property. I do have a brick built shed/workshop however it would take about 20 minutes to get it in or out due to distance and physical restrictions. Not practical. It's also full of car parts and machinery I would need to rehome.
I've been looking for alternatives, and where I keep the bike I could build something like below. This would be perfect as it wouldn't block the window above where the bike is (house is built into a slight hill so inside is much higher than outside, bottom of the window is about 5ft tall).

If the above is acceptable then great. I asked my broker what would qualify as a shed and the lady said "a wood, metal or brick structure". Great. She then says "but it changes all the time so you might need to provide photos and each insurer will make their own decision so call on the day and make sure what you have is suitable". I described the above and she just said it'd be at policy inception to send the photo, but it could be liable to change.
What I don't want to do is build something like above, only to the be told its not suitable. Does anyone else have similar and no issues with insurance?
I don't want to buy a steel shed as it'll likely foul the window above where I keep it.
Drawweight said:
My bike is in a wooden shed but I’ve never been asked to provide photos.
I think that the only specific was that it had to be on a solid surface e.g concrete or slabs.
The issue is if you claimed for theft or damage 200miles from home would the insurance company ask for any proof then?I think that the only specific was that it had to be on a solid surface e.g concrete or slabs.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Drawweight said:
My bike is in a wooden shed but I’ve never been asked to provide photos.
I think that the only specific was that it had to be on a solid surface e.g concrete or slabs.
The issue is if you claimed for theft or damage 200miles from home would the insurance company ask for any proof then?I think that the only specific was that it had to be on a solid surface e.g concrete or slabs.
I’m not sure about theft away from home. I can’t imagine an insurance company querying it if for instance it’s nicked from the back of a hotel. Again the police report would probably be asked for.
(All speculation as I’ve never had a bike nicked)
She's right that it varies
Over the years my insurers have insisted on :
brick built
wood ok but must have concrete floor
wood ok
Just build what suits you and then call around, I think the main reason for a shed is that it's assumed it's at the back and the bike is essentially kept out of sight
Over the years my insurers have insisted on :
brick built
wood ok but must have concrete floor
wood ok
Just build what suits you and then call around, I think the main reason for a shed is that it's assumed it's at the back and the bike is essentially kept out of sight
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