Fortunately our home insurance does cover the bikes that were stolen - I was pretty certain it did, but until finding the policy document last week there was that creeping doubt. As it is, pedal cycles covered up to £2500. But by eck it's a process.
Call insurer to initiate claim. Get told incident number from the police isn't what they need, but rather a crime reference number.
Call police, get crime reference number, call insurance, get it noted on the file.
3rd party info gathering chap comes out to take all the details into an iPad app and take photos and video of the area of the theft.
3rd party info gathering chap has to come out to take all the details again as he didn't do it right first time.
Call insurance company (2 and a half minutes just to get through the menu system, around 9 minutes on hold, 17 minutes total) as I had a message left on my phone to call them - message is just to tell me the claim will now be passed onto 3rd party cycle specialists, and to make sure I get the 'proof of ownership' of the bikes sorted out, and a quote for the broken window.
3rd party bike people will call within 24 hours, I've got their number, but told best not call them as it'ds a small team.
The proof of ownership thing is easy if, in the case of Mel's bike, you can go to a recent bank statement and show the purchase. For the cross bike it's going to be a little more difficult. Purchases at lots of places, made more awkward by being spread over 2 and a bit years. Will need to see if Cotic still have the details of it being bought at the end of 2010, as well as the Bike Chain (which has obviously now changed hands) for the expensive chainset in early-ish 2011. Sigh.
Apparently with custom items it's more likely I'll get a cash payout, rather than them trying to replace like for like. But certainly not certain. This one could run.
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