Laka alternatives are worth knowing even if you like Laka, because its collective model suits some riders far better than others. Laka bike insurance is a strong policy, with no excess on bike claims, up to £2m liability on its Core tier and prices that start at £5 a month. But a few of its rules lead riders to look elsewhere.
This guide sets out where Laka may not fit, which insurers handle those points differently, and how to choose between them. BackPedal wrote it, so we have kept ourselves to one entry on the list.
Why riders look for a Laka alternative
Laka works differently from a conventional insurer. Instead of a fixed premium, members' claims are split at the end of each month, up to a cap set by your bike's value. That keeps costs down in a quiet month, but the amount you pay can change. These are the most common reasons a different insurer fits better:
- You want a fixed monthly cost. Laka's payment moves with the month's claims, up to its cap.
- Your lock is Sold Secure Silver. Laka asks for Gold or better on every bike, while some insurers accept Silver below a set value.
- You want crash damage without upgrading. Accidental damage sits in Laka's Complete tier, not Core.
- You want the bike back, not a payout. Like most insurers, Laka replaces a stolen bike with money.
The main Laka alternatives in the UK
Bikmo: the closest like-for-like switch
Bikmo charges a fixed premium from £3.73 a month, with no depreciation on the insured value and three tiers. CLIK covers theft only, GO adds accidental damage and PLUS adds £2m liability. Its lock rule matches Laka's, so it will not help if your lock is Silver. Our Bikmo vs Laka comparison goes through the two in detail.
Yellow Jersey: for accidental damage as standard
Yellow Jersey includes accidental damage on every tier and up to £2m liability on annual policies. Higher tiers add European and worldwide travel, and the top tier covers UK courier riding. It accepts a Sold Secure Silver lock up to £1,500, and the excess is 10% of the claim, capped at £100.
Cycleplan: for building your own policy
Cycleplan sells one policy you add to, with travel, legal expenses, personal accident, competition and hire cover as options. Its liability limit of up to £5m is the highest here. Lock rules start at Sold Secure Bronze for bikes under £500.
PedalSure: for families
PedalSure lets you pick sections rather than tiers, includes family cover as standard and offers to match a cheaper quote. Prices start from £3.09 a month for a £500 bike. Watch the excess, which is £75 or 10% of the claim, whichever is greater, and the 12-hour limit on leaving a bike unattended, or 24 hours at a station or workplace rack.
BackPedal: for getting the bike back
Laka's no-excess pool is a genuinely good model if a payout is what you want. BackPedal solves a different problem: we get your specific bike back, 79.7% of the time and typically within 48 hours, with insurance as the safety net. Recovery has no exclusions, while a claim needs a Sold Secure Silver lock under £1,000 and Gold above. Tracker fitting is currently London zones 1 to 4, and our Laka against BackPedal comparison sets out the difference.
To see price models and claims side by side, use our bike insurance comparison.
How they compare at a glance
| Insurer | How you pay | Theft excess | Lock rule | Accidental damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laka | Claims shared monthly, capped | £0 | Gold or better | Complete tier |
| Bikmo | Fixed, from £3.73 a month | See your quote | Gold or Diamond | GO and PLUS |
| Yellow Jersey | Fixed premium | 10%, capped at £100 | Silver to £1,500, then Gold | All tiers |
| Cycleplan | Fixed, build your own | £50 or 10% | Bronze, Silver or Gold by value | Included |
| PedalSure | Fixed, from £3.09 a month | £75 or 10%, whichever is greater | Silver or Gold to £1,000, then Gold | Included |
How to choose a Laka alternative
- Start with your lock. Check its Sold Secure rating against each insurer's rule for your bike's value. Our guide to Sold Secure Gold locks explains the ratings.
- Decide whether you need crash cover. If you only want theft cover, a theft-only tier such as Bikmo's CLIK keeps it simple.
- Work out the excess on a real claim. On a £2,000 bike, 10% is £200, which can outweigh a lower premium.
- Check where the bike gets left. Most thefts happen away from home, so look at cover outside the house and any limit on how long the bike can be left unattended.
- Ask what happens after a theft. A payout replaces the bike, while recovery aims to return the one you own.
I would say that the majority of B2C thefts happen away from home, but we're not talking 90%. I'd say maybe a 75/25 split. This is when people are at work, at the gym, doing shopping or general errands, on a night out etc. James Dunn, BackPedal
Frequently asked questions
Is there better cycling insurance than Laka in the UK?
It depends on what you need. Laka is hard to beat on excess, at £0 for bike claims. Yellow Jersey suits riders who want accidental damage on every tier, Cycleplan offers the highest liability limit, and PedalSure suits families. If you would rather get a stolen bike back than claim, recovery-first cover is the different option.
What is the best cycling insurance besides Yellow Jersey?
Laka suits riders who want no excess, while Bikmo offers fixed tiered cover with no depreciation. Cycleplan suits riders who want to build a policy around travel or competition, and PedalSure includes family cover. Compare the lock rule and excess on each, because these differ more than the headline price.
Does Laka have an excess?
Laka charges no excess on bike claims. Its policy wording does allow an extra excess if you make three or more claims in 12 months, so frequent claimers should read the wording. Accidental damage needs the Complete tier, and theft cover requires a Sold Secure Gold lock or better.
Which insurers accept a Sold Secure Silver lock?
Yellow Jersey accepts Silver on bikes up to £1,500, PedalSure up to £1,000 and Cycleplan below £1,000, with Bronze allowed under £500. BackPedal also accepts Silver for claims on bikes under £1,000. Bikmo, like Laka, asks for Gold or Diamond on current policies.
The bottom line
The best Laka alternatives depend on which of Laka's rules does not fit you: the shared monthly cost, the Gold lock rule or crash damage sitting in the upper tier. Match the lock rule, excess and storage limits to your own riding before you compare prices. Our guide to the best bike insurance in the UK covers the wider market.
If you want a stolen bike back rather than a payout, get a BackPedal quote in about a minute.