Our bikes are central to how we stay active and connected with our trail community, and many of us have a deep sense of pride and identity tied to our rides. A serious accident or bike theft can cause a major financial setback and keep you off the trails until your bike is repaired or replaced.
To help offset this financial risk, SORBA partners with BikeInsure to provide our members access to discounted bike insurance designed for mountain bikes, e-bikes, handcycles, and para-adaptive cycles.
Bikeinsure recently analyzed three years of aggregate claims data from mountain bikers referred through the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), an international mountain biking advocacy organization and SORBA partner. Below is what the data shows to help our members make informed decisions about protecting their rides.
What the Claims Data Reveals:
- $3,353 average paid claim
- 67% of claims involved accidental damage, while 33% involved theft
- 33% of claimants had selected Bike Accident Only coverage, while 67% had added optional theft coverage
- 67% of claims were paid within five days
- 33% of claims were paid within two days
Frequency vs. Severity
The claims experience showed an important distinction for mountain bikers: accidental damage occurred more frequently, but theft resulted in more severe financial consequences.
In the analyzed claims, the average theft payment exceeded the average accidental-damage payment by more than seventeen times. Accidents happen more often, but theft can mean losing your entire bike, along with every custom component and upgrade done. This loss may involve thousands of dollars invested in:
- The bicycle or e-bike
- Suspension and drivetrain upgrades
- Wheels and tires
- Electronic components
- Attached accessories
- Other performance modifications
Bikes can be at risk of theft at home, work, on your car, at a trailhead, campground, event, or while traveling. Optional theft coverage lets you decide whether that additional protection makes sense for your circumstances. Based on the claims data, many owners recognize this risk exposure – two-thirds of the riders who submitted claims had elected to add optional theft coverage.
Why Riding Category Matters
Not all riders face the same risks depending on how you use your bike. BikeInsure offers three coverage categories based on bicycle type and riding activity:
- Bike Ride Insure (Casual) for recreational riding, commuting, fitness, training, group rides, charity rides, and other non-competitive cycling activities
- Bike Race Insure (Competitive) for cyclists who participate in organized competition, with worldwide riding, racing, travel, and transit coverage
- Electric Bike Insure (E-Bike) for eligible Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bicycles
Although many of us ride primarily for recreation, the claims experience shows that competitive activity can increase exposure to accidental damage. If you race or participate in organized competitions, making sure your bike is registered in the appropriate competitive category ensures you stay covered.
Why Electric Mountain Bikes Deserve Special Attention
Electric mountain bikes continue to expand access to cycling by helping riders travel farther, manage elevation changes, stay active, and experience trails in new ways.
They also frequently represent a substantial financial investment. Motors, batteries, electronic controls, suspension systems, and other specialized components can make an electric mountain bike more expensive to repair or replace than a traditional bicycle. That combination of value, specialized technology, accidental-damage exposure, and theft risk makes dedicated protection particularly relevant.
BikeInsure’s Electric Bike Insure category was developed for eligible Class 1, Class 2*, and Class 3* electric bicycles. You can select accidental-damage protection and add optional theft coverage based on your individual needs.
*Please note that SORBA only supports the use of class 1 eMTB on natural surface trails where it is appropriate based on the needs of our local chapter and access for class 1 eMTBs varies based on the land managers requirements. We do not support the use of class 2 or class 3 eBikes on natural surface trails. Learn more at sorba.org/about.
How to Access Your SORBA Member Benefit
Through our partnership with BikeInsure, SORBA members can access discounted insurance for bicycles, e-bikes, handcycles, and para-adaptive cycles. The enrollment process does not require photographs, receipts, or serial-number documentation and repairs or replacements for covered losses can be completed through your local bike shop. Learn more at SORBAinsure.com.
