Installing a bike rack on your car opens up exciting opportunities to go and explore new cycling routes a bit further afield but before you start planning your trips, you need to make sure that you know everything there is to know about using a bike rack.

 For example, if you have a rear-mounted bike rack, you need to use a lighting board if the number plates and lights are obscured by the bikes and/or carrier. Failing to do this can be very dangerous and can result in a fine from the police of £1,000. If you opt for a roof-mounted rack then this will not be a problem, as other drivers should have full visibility of your lights and number plate, unless you are towing.

 How does a bike rack affect vehicle insurance?

 At PF Jones, we often get asked a lot of questions about installing using bike racks and one of the most asked questions is whether fitting a bike rack can affect your vehicle’s insurance policy. If you have ever had any type of modification to your vehicle, you will probably already know that it is important to inform your insurer to check that it does not affect your insurance policy.

 Most insurance companies will regard the fitting of a bike rack as a vehicle modification and therefore you should contact your insurance provider to inform them that you are going to install a bike rack. Different insurers will have different requirements and while some may add the rack as a modification to the policy and charge you a fee for it, other insurers may already cover the fitting of a bike rack under the terms of the policy.

 Adding a bike rack increases the risk for your insurer, which is why they will want to know about it and adjust your policy to cover the increased risk if deemed necessary. In some cases, you might find that your insurer is not prepared to cover the risk of fitting a bike rack and carrying bikes, but this is quite rare. In this situation, you should be able to easily find another insurer who will be prepared to cover the risk.

 What happens if I do not tell my insurer about the bike rack?

 If you do not tell your insurer that you have had a bike rack fitted and then there is an accident or damage to your vehicle, the insurer could refuse to pay out on any claim, based on non-disclosure of the information.

 The insurance company may ask whether your rack has been professionally fitted, which is again important to be upfront with the insurer about, as if you did have a claim and you provided inaccurate information, your policy could be invalid.

 At PF Jones, when you buy a bike rack from our extensive range, we also provide professional fitting, so you can tell your insurer that it has been professionally fitted, as well as having peace of mind that you will be able to safely carry your bikes on the road.

If you do require any assistance and guidance with choosing the right bike rack and how to safely install it, talk to the team at PF Jones. Whether you are in-store or need to contact us over the telephone, we will be happy to talk you through any questions that you might have, to ensure you can enjoy using your bike rack safely and legally.

When you shop with PF Jones, you don’t just get great quality, reliable products, you also have the support and expertise you need, which is particularly important when using a product that is of a technical and higher risk nature, such as a towbar or cycle rack.

Book a visit to your local branch for a professional bike rack fitting.