Quick Takeaway
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Insurance approval: The TMD Chain Lock is ART 2-certified, meeting the security baseline required by many e-bike insurers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
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Registration: If an insurance form asks for a key number, the TMD Chain Lock’s unique serial number can be used to identify your keyless system.
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Theft claims: Activity is recorded in the TMD Locks app, giving riders digital evidence they can use when documenting how their e-bike was secured
E-bike theft, insurance and the move to keyless locks
E-bike theft remains a serious concern across Europe, particularly as high-value bikes become more attractive targets. In Germany, the average insured loss from bicycle theft reached a record €1,270 in 2025 [1], with insurers pointing specifically to expensive bicycles and e-bikes as a major driver. In the Netherlands, police recorded 86,950 bicycle thefts in 2025. [2]
For e-bike owners, that makes insurance protection increasingly important. But using a smart keyless lock can raise a practical question: traditional insurance procedures were built around physical keys, so what happens if your bike is stolen and there are no keys to hand over?
With the ART 2-certified TMD Chain Lock, there’s no physical key to hand over after a theft – but that doesn’t mean there’s no proof. The lock’s unique serial number can be used for registration, while activity recorded in the TMD Locks app gives you a digital record to refer back to if you need to make a claim.
Is the TMD Chain Lock approved for e-bike insurance?
Yes. It carries official ART 2 certification, meeting the physical security baseline required by many e-bike insurance policies in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Individual policy terms can vary, so riders should still check their insurer’s requirements.
E-bike insurer compatibility in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany
Insurers across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany support certified security without requiring a traditional bike key. The providers covered in this guide include:
|
Insurance provider |
Country |
TMD Chain Lock accepted? |
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands / Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
Netherlands / Belgium / Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Belgium |
Yes |
|
|
Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Germany |
Yes |
|
|
Germany |
Yes |
Is your insurer not listed? Check your policy’s ART 2 requirement and acceptance of digital proof, or contact TMD Locks support to confirm.
How to register the TMD Chain Lock with your insurer
Some insurance forms still ask for a “key number,” which can be confusing when you’re registering a keyless lock. Don’t let that throw you: simply use the TMD Chain Lock’s unique serial number instead. You can find it in the TMD Locks app, the product package and on the lock itself.
To register your lock:
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Check your policy requirements. Confirm the security certification your insurer requires for your e-bike.
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Find your serial number. You can find the unique number in the TMD Locks app, the packaging and the product itself.
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Enter it during registration. Use the serial number in the “key number” field if that’s what your insurer’s portal asks for.
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Keep your registration details. Make sure you can access the information again if you later need to make a theft claim.
What happens if your insured e-bike is stolen?
If your insured e-bike is stolen, the TMD Locks app provides a record of the relevant activity that can be used as digital evidence for your claim. Instead of having to send two original physical keys by post, you can use the digital record to document how your bike was secured.
After discovering the theft, report it to the police and contact your insurer. You can then retrieve the relevant information from the app:
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Open your activity history. Find the relevant entry in the TMD Locks app.
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Save the digital record. Export the timestamped history or save the relevant entry as a screenshot.
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Add it to your documentation. Include the digital record with your police report and the other information requested by your insurer.
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Ask for help if needed. The TMD Locks support team can assist if you need help accessing or exporting your history.
The exact claim procedure can vary between insurers, so always follow the instructions provided with your policy.
ART 2 security with a built-in 100 dB alarm
No lock can eliminate the risk of theft, but the right security can make your bike a much harder target. The TMD Chain Lock combines ART 2-certified hardened steel with a built-in 100 dB motion-sensor alarm, adding an audible deterrent if someone starts moving or tampering with your bike.
Extra security doesn’t have to mean extra hassle. When your authorized smartphone is nearby, simply press the button to open the lock. There’s no separate bike key to carry, dig out of your bag or remember before leaving home.
Once you lock up and walk away, the hardened steel provides the physical barrier while the motion sensor keeps watch. If someone tampers with the bike, the 100 dB alarm is designed to draw attention.
With e-bike theft already a concern, securing and insuring your bike shouldn’t create another headache.
Ready to leave the traditional bike key behind? Discover the TMD Chain Lock.
Frequently asked questions
Can I insure an e-bike with a keyless lock?
Yes, provided the system meets the security requirements set out in your insurance policy. The TMD Chain Lock is ART 2-certified and uses a unique serial number for identification rather than a traditional key number.
What number do I enter if my insurer asks for a key number?
Use the unique serial number of your TMD Chain Lock. It can be found in the TMD Locks app and on the product packaging.
Is the TMD Chain Lock ART 2-certified?
Yes. The TMD Chain Lock carries ART 2 certification for bicycle theft resistance. ART 2 is a security baseline used by many e-bike insurance policies, although individual insurers can set additional requirements.
How do I prove that my e-bike was secured without physical keys?
The TMD Locks app records activity digitally. If your e-bike is stolen, you can retrieve the relevant timestamped history and include it with the documentation requested for your theft claim.
Where can I find my TMD Chain Lock activity history?
Your activity history is available in the TMD Locks app. If you need help finding or exporting the relevant information for a claim, TMD Locks support can assist.
Sources:
[1] https://www.gdv.de/gdv-en/media/fewer-bicycle-thefts-losses-remain-at-record-levels-200310

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