What is the theft prevention standard recognized by insurance companies?

Every year, many organizations test and evaluate the robustness and quality of electric scooter and bicycle locks on the market. Among them is the Federation of Bicycle Users, which issues the FUB standard, as well as the Automobile Security and Repair with the SRA standard. You may be wondering, what is the lock standard recognized by insurance companies? Here are the details!

Why is an approved lock essential for a bicycle or an electric scooter?

In France, around 400,000 bicycles and electric scooters are stolen every year. So to curb, or even put an end to this scourge, a quality lock is essential. But how can you know if a lock is really reliable? This is where the importance of certification comes in! The SRA and FUB standards exist to serve as guarantees of quality, strength, and reliability for all users of bicycles and electric scooters.

The FUB standard: Understanding its levels of protection

Founded in 1980, the FUB (French Federation of Bicycle Users) is a non-profit association. It coordinates the exchange of experiences among its members and supports all those who want to take action in the development of cycling in the city. Let's take a closer look at all of this in this section.

The 3 levels of FUB certification and their criteria

Among its many missions, the FUB has the role of intervening against electric bike theft. A study by IFRESI-CNRS from 2003 demonstrated that cyclists do not take enough precautions to protect their vehicles. Apparently, 95% of them would use a low-quality lock. To help you better choose your equipment, here is a table of the different levels of FUB certification.

Why prioritize a minimum level 2 FUB lock?

Every year, the FUB updates its ranking of the most effective locks. These rankings are also frequently consulted by insurers to better manage the compensations for policyholders. As a general rule, insurers require the use of a certified level 2 FUB lock for the electric bike to be covered in case of theft. Therefore, be sure to regularly check the ranking to know which type of equipment works best, and thus ensure you benefit from your insurance protection.

A little nod to the anti-theft devices for electric scooters and bikes from Weebot

At Weebot, we offer a wide range of locks for electric scooters and electric bikes that are certified by the FUB standard, and of course, eligible for insurance in case of theft. Among the flagship products in the collection, we have the Master Lock Street Kuff cable lock, and Kryptonite Evolution Standard U-lock. All our locks offer excellent value for money.

SRA certification: A guarantee of safety recognized by insurers

The SRA standard, which stands for Automotive Security and Repair, was established by an organization of insurers seeking to facilitate access to a database on French vehicles, their spare parts, and their main accessories. We will tell you more!

What is SRA certification?

The SRA certification was established by a group of insurers and applies to vehicles in France (weighing less than 3.5 tons), their spare parts, as well as their main accessories. More specifically, the SRA standard takes into account elements such as the danger index, the replacement price index, the shock vulnerability index and its repairability, and the anti-theft protection index.

Which locks are SRA approved?

"On the market, you will easily recognize the SRA-approved anti-theft devices. They are usually marked with the acronym SRA and offer a high level of security, tested against various thief techniques. You can find:"
●    The U-lock: A system designed to secure your bike or electric scooter to a fixed point. It is certainly the best lock in terms of protection.
●    The disk lock : This anti-theft device will lock the wheels of the machine, but it will not prevent criminals from moving it by lifting it. Therefore, it is a complementary anti-theft device that works better in combination with another device.
●    Chains: Chains also allow you to lock the bike or electric scooter. To do this, you will attach both the wheel and the handlebars of your vehicle at the same time. For more effectiveness, the chain should be of a good length (neither too long nor too short).
●    Electric anti-theft devices (alarms, geolocation, immobilizer systems): These are anti-theft devices designed to deter thieves. They mainly act as a complement to traditional anti-theft systems. They are generally used at night, during long-term parking.

What is the link between insurance and the approval of anti-theft devices?

"Today, 43% of insurers claim to rely on SRA and FUB approvals in their criteria for contracting insurance. The higher the level of protection, the more the insured can be sure of winning their case in the event of theft. This clearly demonstrates the reliability of the product, reassuring both consumers and professionals."

Why do some insurance companies require an SRA or FUB Level 2+ anti-theft device?

"Even though the SRA standard is not mandatory, it can be very important for asserting your compensation rights in the event of a loss. Insurance companies may indeed require this approval before they can compensate you after a loss."

"If the insurance places so much importance on the approval, it is due to two main reasons:"
●    Deter thieves from acting
●    Reduce the risk of compensating the insured

As for the FUB standard, it is the only national reference that provides a comparison of locks. Many insurers will then rely on the tests and rankings carried out by FUB to handle claims from their policyholders. To do this, they will base their decisions on numerous criteria. Firstly, they may require the use of a FUB-approved lock of at least level 2.

"Then, the identification 'Bicycode', now mandatory on new electric bikes, can be a clause in the insurance contract. Moreover, the State only recognizes the Bicycode marking belonging to the FUB, which is used to combat the theft and trafficking of electric bikes."

Differences and similarities between SRA and FUB standards

We have created this table to help you better understand the specifics of each standard. 

- SRA : Very demanding, often recommended by insurers for robust anti-theft devices.

- FUB : More flexible, suitable for different types of use, but with a level of security that can vary.

Non-compliance with FUB or SRA standards: What will be the consequences?

The use of a certified lock according to FUB or SRA standards is not just a matter of security, but also a condition for obtaining adequate insurance coverage. If your lock does not meet these standards, the consequences can be severe, especially in the event of theft of your bicycle or electric scooter.

Refusal of coverage

If you have taken out insurance for your bike or electric scooter and you are using a lock that does not meet FUB or SRA standards, it is very likely that your insurer will refuse to compensate you in the event of theft.

 Indeed, many insurance companies specifically require that the anti-theft device be certified FUB (minimum level 2) or SRA. If you do not meet this requirement, you risk losing any possibility of reimbursement, even if you have regularly paid your premium.

Reduced compensation

In some cases, even if the insurer agrees to cover the theft, the compensation may be much lower than you expected. This can happen if your lock is deemed insufficient according to the standards of FUB or SRA. For example, a level 1 FUB lock, which offers low protection, may result in much lower compensation in the event of a claim, or even a partial refund. This is the direct consequence of the lack of adequate security measures, according to the insurers' criteria.

The importance of an approved anti-theft device

Insurers emphasize the importance of using a certified lock because it not only ensures that the equipment is robust and reliable, but also that you have taken the necessary measures to prevent theft. If you do not comply with these standards, you send the wrong message to insurers: that of a lack of caution, which can negatively affect your record. In the worst cases, this can lead to increased insurance premiums or, even more seriously, to the cancellation of your contract.

Why choose WeeClub Premium insurance?

At Weebot, we offer you an all-in-one solution to insure your bike or electric scooter. Specifically, it is the first insurance in France that offers:

●    1st month free
●    Assistance in case of breakdown, flat tire, damage, or theft
●    A repair at home or at the workplace
●    A loan of a bicycle or electric scooter
●    Attractive prices starting from €3.50 per month for theft and accidental damage insurance

Of course, in the event of theft, proof of purchase and use of an approved SRA or FUB anti-theft device may be required. The purchase must be made prior to the date of subscription to the WeeClub Premium insurance.

More explanations in this video:

Conclusion

SRA or FUB standard locks are guarantees of quality and strength. Insurers trust these devices and rely on their effectiveness to compensate or not compensate their policyholders. The FUB even offers a regularly updated ranking to allow bicycle or electric scooter owners to effectively protect their vehicle against criminals. At Weebot, we have the WeeClub Premium insurance that also relies on these standards for compensation. But the difference is that we offer several benefits that will certainly catch your attention. Come take a look!