We were chuffed to be invited, along with Adam Smith from Velo Consulting, onto RNZ to talk about e-bike theft and insurance. Hosted by Kathryn Ryan, who was as always, more prepared than her guests, we got to cover a range of security and insurance issues facing the e-bike industry and owners of e-bikes. Tune in to hear about it all!
Listen here (19 minute) or Download as MP3
From the RNZ website:
“Skyrocketing numbers of thefts of electric bikes in the last 12 months have prompted warnings that insurance companies may soon require separate insurance policies.
Currently, e-bikes can be covered under a standard house and contents policy. But the country’s only bike insurance assessor says insurance companies are sitting up and taking notice of the high number and value of insurance claims.
Claims through AA Insurance have almost doubled in value over the last 12 months, from $116,000 to $225,000 worth of claims this year.
Changes could mean owners would need to fork out for specialised e-bike insurance, which could include conditions such as requiring the bike to be adequately secured when not in use.
Kathryn speaks with Adam Smith, the director of Velo Consulting, an insurance assessor specialising in bicycles and e-bike and Maurice Wells from Electric Bike Team.”
