Insure your new or used bicycle against theft

This will at least help you deal with the financial loss. Nearly all insurance companies require that you use a lock with an ART approval. Be sure to check the conditions in your insurance policy.

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About insurance

Insurance companies recognise the ART Foundation’s quality mark. ART approved locks are eligible for compensation under their policies. This applies to locks for bicycles, e-bikes, speed pedelecs, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. This provides clarity to both consumers and bike dealers. Insurance companies choose the ART quality mark because we are an independent organisation that tests, certifies, checks and monitors the quality of locks submitted to us by manufacturers. That’s why insurance companies always require one or two ART approved locks in their policy conditions. Depending on the risk level of theft it is determined which category ( ART* – ART*****) the lock must meet. The ART quality mark is well known to insurance companies – both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Keep your spare key in a safe place

Keep important information about your bike and lock with your insurance documents. Always keep your spare key in a safe place. Most locks are sold with two or three identical keys. The corresponding key number is usually engraved in the key. Sometimes the key number is on a label attached to a ring. You need this number if you have to reorder a key. It’s best to order keys from your bike dealer or the supplier of the lock. If your bicycle is insured, remember to report any spare key orders to the insurance company. Your dealer can help you with this. Spare keys made by a third party, such as a key service, are always recognisable as copies because they lack the trade mark or brand name. Often the key number is also missing.

Always lock your bicycle with an ART approved lock

All bicycle insurers in the Netherlands require insured bicycles to be securely locked. This is a condition for compensation clearly stated in their insurance policies. With a frame lock you can proof your bike was locked by handing over both original keys. Never be nonchalant about locking up your bicycle. If the company that insured you against theft suspects any kind of fraud, you will not get any money back. So always lock your bicycle with an ART approved lock. And always use a second ART lock to attach your bicycle to the “fixed world”. This is the best insurance for preventing the theft of your bicycle.

Lock a bicycle in your garage or shed too

Unfortunately, bicycles are often stolen from garages and sheds. So always lock your bicycle even when parked there with an ART lock (or attach it to something secure). Then there’s a bigger chance that thieves will leave your bicycle alone.

Check your policy conditions

Check the policy conditions of your insurance to find out whether you still meet the insurance company’s requirements. It may well be that additional preventive measures must be taken. Think here of the use of an extra ART lock to attach your bicycle to the “fixed world”. If you have any questions about your policy conditions, contact your insurance agent or bike dealer for reliable advice.

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Certified secure locks

Has the approval of a lock expired? On this website, you can check to see whether a lock has been approved by ART. And if it has been approved, how many stars it received. However, certification can sometimes be withdrawn. In such cases this is clearly indicated with the word “Expired” along with the date. This means that from that date the lock is no longer approved by ART. Reasons for expiring can be e.g. withdrawal by the manufacturer, the lock no longer meets our requirements, the authorisation holder has not complied with his or her obligations, or the lock is no longer being produced or imported. This information may be important for your insurance cover. The policy states that the lock you use must be approved at the time you take out the insurance. If you took out the insurance cover when the lock was still ART approved, the validity of the approval remains for the entire period of the insurance cover. Even if certification expires in the meantime.

Check your lock

ART approved locks have been extensively tested by an independent laboratory for durability, weather resistance, environmental resistance and attack resistance.