My bike was stolen!

[NbyNW]

Which you should do as it is the right thing ---legally and morally (not doing so is a reason that general rates go up). In my experience, which isn't much, the insurance company was offered the replacement. You can also offer to pay them back the payout.

One payout shouldn't make a difference in your rates unless you are a brand new customer. It's the second claim that often makes a difference.

And of course, if the bike ever shows up, I will.

My rates absolutely did go up. I was a three-year customer at that point. Does that qualify as brand-new? I've moved cities four times in the past ten years. Maybe I'll always be brand-new.

In my most recent move, one insurance company would not offer us a policy because the claim I made for this bike was within the last five years. So in retrospect maybe it was a bad idea to make the claim and I should have just paid out of pocket for my replacement bike.