e-Bike insurance compared: costs and benefits
Which e-bike insurance is right for me? Do I need e-bike insurance or is liability insurance enough? Comparis explains the costs and benefits.
30.04.2024
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1. What are the different e-bike categories?
Swiss law distinguishes between two e-bike categories: slow electric bicycles (light mopeds) and fast electric bicycles (mopeds). This distinction is also central to your choice of e-bike insurance.
Maximum speed 25 km/h or 500 watts
Liability insurance not compulsory
No number plate required
Maximum speed 45 km/h or 1,000 watts
Moped licence required (licence M, automatically included in category B licence)
Must be equipped with a rear-view mirror and fixed lighting
Helmet is required
Yellow number plate
2. Which insurance covers damage to my e-bike?
You can choose different cover depending on which e-bike you have. In this overview you can find out which insurance covers damage to your e-bike.
Optional for slow e-bikes (max. 25 km/h): covers damage you cause to others (personal injury and property damage).
Mandatory for fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h): collectively insured by yellow number plate with insurance vignette (renewed annually).
Comparis tip: damage to third parties can result in costs amounting to millions of francs. Therefore, personal liability insurance is generally worthwhile, whether or not you have an e-bike.
It covers fire damage, natural hazards, water damage and theft at home. Some insurance policies may not cover fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h).
Comparis tip: usually useful, especially if you own a slow e-bike – or if you own a fast e-bike and your chosen home contents insurance also covers damage to fast e-bikes.
Usually covers all damage to slow and fast e-bikes, including own fault, damage while parked and, on request, also loss and theft (check policy). In addition, various insurers offer additional services such as breakdown assistance or legal protection.
In addition to special e-bike insurance, bicycle insurance, motorcycle insurance or valuables insurance are all also options.
Comparis tip: usually useful for more expensive and new e-bikes, as well as for all fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h).
3. e-Bike insurance in Switzerland compared: which one is right for me?
You can take out e-bike insurance separately or as an add-on to your home contents insurance. The cover usually includes theft, vandalism and damage to your e-bike or battery. Depending on the insurance, equipment, roadside assistance or legal protection may also be included.
These providers have special bicycle insurance with comprehensive protection and high cover (in alphabetical order, some links may not be available in English).
Insurance cover abroad
Planning to take your e-bike on holiday? Most e-bike insurance policies offer Europe-wide roadside assistance protection.
4. How much does e-bike insurance cost?
The cost of an e-bike insurance policy depends on the casco cover, the sum insured and the deductible.
Similar to car insurance, you can choose between basic protection with lower premiums or comprehensive protection at a higher premium. For example, TCS bike insurance is available from 57 francs per year. It’s worth comparing as prices vary considerably.
5. Is my e-bike covered by my home contents insurance?
Slow e-bikes (max. 25 km/h) are generally covered by home contents insurance. This covers damage caused by fire, water, storms and hail. In addition, it covers theft of your e-bike from your home.
Fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h) may also be covered by home contents insurance, depending on the insurer/policy. With some insurers, supplemental or separate cover may be needed.
6. Who pays if my e-bike is stolen?
With e-bike insurance, moped insurance or valuables insurance, you are fully protected against financial losses caused by theft both at home and away from home.
If your e-bike is covered by home contents insurance, you are only covered for theft at home. If you also want to be protected against theft away from home, choose the “simple theft away from home” add-on.
Note: the sum insured with the “simple theft away from home” add-on to home contents insurance is often no more than 2,000 francs. This may not be enough for more expensive e-bikes.
7. Who pays if my e-bike is damaged?
Mishaps while e-biking can happen easily. It makes sense to take out e-bike insurance to cover damage you cause yourself. Moped insurance or valuables insurance may also be an option.
Good to know: home contents insurance (without supplemental cover) does not cover damage you cause yourself.
8. What else do I need to know about e-bike insurance?
Whether you have home contents or valuables insurance: check the sum insured to make sure your e-bike is not underinsured.
New or current value? Make sure you know exactly what would be paid out in the event of a claim.
Check whether it might be better to take out additional cover on your existing home contents policy rather than taking out separate e-bike insurance.
9. Summary: is it worth taking out e-bike insurance?
If you own an e-bike, financial protection against water and fire damage, natural hazards and theft is worthwhile. Home contents insurance covers slow e-bikes (max. 25 km/h). Some insurers also cover fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h) as standard.
For more expensive e-bikes worth several thousand francs and for fast e-bikes (max. 45 km/h), additional cover is usually worthwhile. Some home contents insurance policies offer theft away from home, damage or loss. Separate all-risk cover that is independent of your home contents insurance, such as special additional options to protect e-bikes against e-bike insurance or valuables insurance, is also an option.
This article was first published on 11.04.2019
