I am now a professional cyclist
At least my home [tag]insurance[/tag] company thinks so – they believe only a [tag]professional[/tag] [tag]cyclist[/tag] would spend 1,600 eur on a [tag]bike[/tag]. They’re refusing to insure it until they get an independent valuation.
Comments
Ugh, you’re kidding…
‘Fraid not, the muppets!
I liken it to good quality musical instruments. A decent grade violin costs anything from $1,000-$10,000usd – used by non-professionals. Same for pianos, wind instruments, guitars.
Why is sports equipment different?
Well, afaik insurance companies feel that, compared to eg. musical instruments, there is a greater and more likely risk for bicycles to be stolen or damaged. Therefore, they are reluctant to insure expensive models. For example, when was the last time you saw a grand piano chained to a lampost being stolen and the thief sitting on top of it, rolling down the road at 30kph making his get-away! :op
It’s a lot easier to steal a bike. Also easier to pass said stolen bike onto a third party.
Anyway, even if someone actually *IS* a professional cyclist and their expensive bike doesn’t come under the description of house contents for insurance purposes, I would imagine the insurance company should have a specific type of insurance package on offer. I’d also hazard a guess that it would cost a pretty penny too!
Fair enough point. My issue is not with the amount of risk involved: you’re right to say that there is a strong possibility of more risk with the sports equipment.
The problem is the assumption that with an item valued over (whatever arbitrary value) that you must be a professional, because no amateur enthusiast would spend that much. That assumption is wrong.
Ironically there are plenty of amateur cyclists who would spend $4000+ on a bike (check out the roadie forum on BF.net) but almost all professional cyclists would have their bike supplied by their team :)
The fact that you don’t earn money by riding your bike confirms that you’re not a professional cyclist… can’t you send them evidence of what your full time job is?
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