kuan

Does anyone offer bike insurance? Uninsured motorist and liability at least?

DogBoy

If you are in the US:

If you have a homeowners or a condo/renters policy your liability coverage will apply for accidents in which you cause damage from riding your bike. As for uninsured motorists, you may be able to get a non-owned auto policy from someone, but if you don't own a car it could be difficult to find.

There is no policy that covers cyclists specifically that I am aware of.

lilHinault

If they had bicycle insurance like drivers are required to have, they'd then have to have insurance for being a ped, since a lot of people walk a lot, and being a ped is more dangerous than being a biker. Certain Large Corporations would love that, people having to in effect buy permission to even walk outside their door.......

Brian

Most auto policies will provide coverage if you are involved in an accident with a car. The big exception would be Assigned Risk policies. If you don't own a car, trying to get a Non-Owned policy to provide coverage while on a bicycle may be an uphill battle.

Do you own a car?

cs1

DogBoy is correct about liability extending from your home/renter's policy. As for uninsured/underinsured motorist you might need to use your health insurance to pick up anything that happens. Even though insurance is mandatory for a licensed driver in most of the US, it is very hard to enforce. Most people that can't afford to pay for insurance have no assets, hence, they could care less if you sue them. It is unfortunate, but I see it everyday.


Tim

Brian

Successful subrogation = turnip blood.

kuan

Thank you all. Yes, I own a car, one car, not many like most families. I also have homeowner's insurance, so that should cover me. I am so covered for any idiocy it's not even funny. Curiously I've never ever had to make a claim on my insurance for anything (jinx). I'm gonna call the insurance companies today.

Brian

If you get hit by someone else that has insurance, and you're not at fault, their policy should pay for everything. If they have no insurance, don't count on any coverage for your bike, other than maybe something on your homeowner's policy. The deductible will probably screw you on that though. More important, your med pay should cover any injuries you sustain, and UMBI will cover your pain and suffering. If you're at fault, your auto policy should cover damages you cause, unless you strike a pedestrian, then your HO policy may provide some coverage. Your agent can confirm this, I only handled claims for 10 years.

DCCommuter

For your bike, self-insure. That's a fancy way of saying put a few bucks in a jar every month and take it out when you need it. You'll come out way ahead.

For liability, first step is homeowner's or renter's insurance. Then get an "Umbrella" policy. It covers everything the homeowner's doesn't cover except for deliberate acts on your part.

trekets

This is not true in New Jersey and some other no fault states. Be very careful to get accurate information if you live in a no-fault state. Even if it is the other drivers fault, you have to go through your auto insurance in New Jersey. Even if you are walking and you get hit by a car, if you have auto insurance, you have to to through your auto insurance company to get your medical bills paid.

I was hit by a car while bicycling and incurred many medical bills and the hospital would not accept my medical insurance card. They said it was an auto accident and I had to provide my auto insurance information. It was a nightmare and even though it happened almost 2 years ago, I am still trying to get the medical bills paid. See my thread, Do not get hit by a car in New Jersey.

trekets

[QUOTE=trekets See my thread, Do not get hit by a car in New Jersey.[/QUOTE]

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hit+car+jersey

Brian

Good point. No Fault must be working. I think certain companies have stopped writing auto policies in your state altogether. I handled claims in CA, laws are different there.