Living Car Free - Canceling my insurance next week.

Yessssssss sir! Gonna cancel my auto insurance next week and go to my LBS to get properly fitted for my new ride. :D I was going to keep it another month but would rather take that money and put it toward a bike. I'll gladly commute to the DMV with my bike to turn in my tags and say hello to my new car-free life. :p As for my truck, I'll call a couple of charities and see if they can use it. :D :D :D

Your auro insurance is what pays your bills and salary if you're injured in by an automobile. So what are you going to replace it with?

props to anyone this dedicated to mountain biking!!! :D
i also dont own a vehicle apart from my bike...
but then again.. im only 15 lol

Your auro insurance is what pays your bills and salary if you're injured in by an automobile. So what are you going to replace it with?
If youre injured by an automobile, the driver's auto insurance will pick up the tab.

Getting to keep that cash every month is gonna feel pretty good.Treat yourself to some bike stuff. Congrats.

If youre injured by an automobile, the driver's auto insurance will pick up the tab.Not necessarily. If you're in a no-fault state, your insurance picks up the tab. If you're in a tort liability state, the other driver's insurance picks up the tab...IF the other driver is at fault. And IF you agree on the settlement. And AFTER any negotiations, trial, etc.

Here's an article on the subject (specific to oregon, however, but may be applicable in other states): Accidents and Insurance (http://www.stc-law.com/bikeacci.html)

Not necessarily. If you're in a no-fault state, your insurance picks up the tab. If you're in a tort liability state, the other driver's insurance picks up the tab...IF the other driver is at fault. And IF you agree on the settlement. And AFTER any negotiations, trial, etc.

Here's an article on the subject (specific to oregon, however, but may be applicable in other states): Accidents and Insurance (http://www.stc-law.com/bikeacci.html)
I read the linked article and it says it applies to "bicyclists who are also automobile drivers". But the OP is giving up his vehicles. What kind of insurance might be available to someone who desn't have a motor vehicle and might be hit by an uninsured driver? And the same would apply to pedestrians who might get injured by a car. What can they do to guard against the financial repercussions of being injured by an uninsured driver?

I read the linked article and it says it applies to "bicyclists who are also automobile drivers". But the OP is giving up his vehicles. What kind of insurance might be available to someone who desn't have a motor vehicle and might be hit by an uninsured driver? And the same would apply to pedestrians who might get injured by a car. What can they do to guard against the financial repercussions of being injured by an uninsured driver?As long as he has an auto (say his old truck) he can keep that insured and he's covered. That's the advice I was given by the attorney who wrote that article-- if I don't have a car, buy an old junker and insure it. I don't have to drive it, I just have to insure it. If you don't have an auto, the only coverage you have is your own health insurance, if you have health insurance. Otherwise, you're SOL if you get hit by an uninsured motorist. I suppose it's possible to sue, if the motorist is either insured or has assets, but that doesn't pay the bills while you're recovering.

There's no such thing as bicycle insurance in the U.S. There should be, but isn't.

PIP, UM, and UIM insurance are all auto insurance. The only other insurance that will cover you on a bike is your own health insurance, if you have it. That won't cover lost income, though, like auto insurance will. There's no such thing as bicycle insurance in the U.S. There should be, but isn't.
Can you even get auto insurance if you don't have a car? What about my elderly neighbour who walks everywhere and doesn't have a driver's license - does she have to buy and insure a vehicle in case she's run over walking to the store? Strange.

Can you even get auto insurance if you don't have a car?First, see my edit above-- I changed everything to answer your question.

Second, you would have to have a car to get auto insurance. The other possibility is to get on someone else's insurance policy. That's another piece of advcie this attorney gave me-- if I was living with/married to somebody who owns a car, I could get on her insurance policy and then i'm covered.

I think BlueOrder is bringing up a very interesting point worthy of more detailed discussion!

What kinds and amounts of insurance are needed for car-free cyclists? How best do we protect ourselves from uninsured and underinsured motorists?

The link BlueOrder provided pointed out the need for car-owning cyclists to be aware of protective coverages they may have available to them through their own auto insurance policy.

But what about us car-freers? Generally automobile insurance is sold to owners. One can buy non-owner insurance. I think the principle purpose of doing so would be to provide personal liability protection for when you are a driver.

Q. Does non-owner car insurance also include coverage for the un/underinsured situation?

Q. Should a car-free cyclist have non-owner insurance for the occasional times we drive?

Q. Are the coverage limits provided by un/underinsured coverages sufficient?

Q. Are there other forms of insurance better suited to covering an injured cyclist?

Can you even get auto insurance if you don't have a car? What about my elderly neighbour who walks everywhere and doesn't have a driver's license - does she have to buy and insure a vehicle in case she's run over walking to the store? Strange.As far as I know, she's only covered if the driver is covered, but I don't know what the details are in your state-- what happens, for instance, if it's a no-fault state and she's not covered? If it's a tort liability state, she can sue, or settle with the driver's insurance company. You would need to ask an attorney in your state.

Non owner insurance is VERY expensive. The theory is that they're insuring you, and not the vehicle, so theoretically, you could be driving a Corvette, which is very expensive to insure. That's what I was told when I was quoted a ridiculously high price for non-owner insurance. But it is an option, I guess.

Non owner insurance is VERY expensive. The theory is that they're insuring you, and not the vehicle, so theoretically, you could be driving a Corvette, which is very expensive to insure. That's what I was told when I was quoted a ridiculously high price for non-owner insurance. But it is an option, I guess.

I think I will give myself a homework assignment. In the next day or two I will try and get a couple of quotes for non-owner insurance and report back. I will also see what types of coverage are available. I did do a quick scan on the web and it seems most major auto insurance providers offer this coverage - but alas as it must be so infrequently requested I didn't find any web sites that would give me a quote. I think a phone call is needed.

Q. If a cyclist does have medical coverage is there a need to have medical coverage through an auto policy?

Wow, great discussion guys. That is a lot to consider when 1 stops to think about it. Fortunately I have excellent health insurance & Maryland is not a "no-fault" state so the motorist (or their insurance carrier rather) who hit me would indeed be liable. I suppose I could ask my insurance agent about non-owner insurance but I think I'll be just fine. ;)

For a state-by-state breakdown check this link, insure.com (http://info.insure.com/auto/minimum.html) to see where your state is in regards of this issue.

Let's assume for further discussion that:

1) You are injured by an uninsured motorist with no assets - judgement proof OR you simply fall off your bike while practicing that no-hands track stand that so impresses the ladies. ;)
2) Your injuries fall into one of the 3 scenarios:
a) injured for 1 month, out of work.
b) injured for 6 months, out of work.
c) injured for > 1 year - permanent disability!

Well I cleaned out all my personal belongings from my truck and let me tell ya, it felt great knowing it will soon be gone. :p I'm going to use this site, donatecarusa.com (http://www.donatecarusa.com/) and donate my truck through there in case anyone wanted the url for themselves or a friend.

Michigan is a no-fault state. i just did the auto insurance shuffle when my stepson was in an auto accident in an uninsured auto. Here is the way it was explained in a brochure from the state:

First, if there were insurance on the car, that would pay for injuries no matter who was at fault in the accident. If the car owner was not insured, the driver's insurance on a different vehicle would pay. If the driver had no insurance either, the insurance of an adult relative living in the victim's household would pay. If there was nobody with insurance in the household, the case would go to the uninsured motorists fund. This means that the next insurance company on a rotating list would be stuck with the tab.

Ultimately, the uninsured owner of the car is liable. The insurance company will go after the owner in civil court to recoup their damages.

There are two lessons here for carfree and carlight people living in a no fault state with laws similar to Michigan's. First, if you're struck by a car, somebody's insurance, or the uninsured fund, will pay for your expnses. Second, and most important, if you own a car, always keep it insured, even if it's parked in your driveway and you do not drive it. If somebody steals your car and wrecks it, you may be personally liable for damages if you don't have insurance. If you have a car you don't drive, make sure it is absolutely inoperable. Like, take the wheels off and take the battery out. But remember, every state is diferent.

There are two lessons here for carfree and carlight people living in a no fault state with laws similar to Michigan's ... But remember, every state is diferent.That's important to keep in mind. People need to check the law for their state, because it will differ from state-to-state.

Thanks for that explanation, though-- it was informative.

As an all-lines insurance adjuster, I agree that this is an important subject for anyone transitioning to car-free status. I urge you to read every insurance policy you have, homeowners, business, renters, whatever, just to see what coverage you may have in your state if you are injured by a driver (esp a hit&run) while riding. Take your time reading the policies, highlight anything you don't understand and go talk to your agent, or better yet an adjuster. Explain exactly what you are doing and that you want to be covered in case of accident.

There is no such thing as no -fault. someone did something to cause an accident. I mean both cars didn't smash into each each by themselves.

There is no such thing as no -fault. someone did something to cause an accident. I mean both cars didn't smash into each each by themselves.
Maybe you're being ironic :; but "no fault' refers to each party being covered by their own auto insurance policy, regardless of who is actually at fault in the accident. This eliminates the need for lawsuits to determine liability, making the whole system cheaper for everybody. I think it's been a success in the long run here in Michigan, although there were definitely some serious problems in the first 10 or 15 years after its implementation.

Not necessarily. If you're in a no-fault state, your insurance picks up the tab. If you're in a tort liability state, the other driver's insurance picks up the tab...IF the other driver is at fault. And IF you agree on the settlement. And AFTER any negotiations, trial, etc.

Here's an article on the subject (specific to oregon, however, but may be applicable in other states): Accidents and Insurance (http://www.stc-law.com/bikeacci.html)

I'm in a no fault state and the driver's insurance paid me $1500 in cash right away including the hospital bills.

I'm in a no fault state and the driver's insurance paid me $1500 in cash right away including the hospital bills.
I bike regularly in 3 states and irregularly in several others. I've had bike accidents requireing medical care in 4 states, but only 1 involved a car the others were from racing or being careless. My experience with the car accident was in DC, it matches Dahon.Steve's experience the driver's insurance paid cash right away.

The other accidents were coverd with normal medical insurance. Is it really an issue? What people seem to be posting is that I should have some kind of extra insurance policy with codicils for each state and pay attention to each state's laws and change my policy as those laws change. It doesn't make sense.

The other accidents were coverd with normal medical insurance. Is it really an issue? What people seem to be posting is that I should have some kind of extra insurance policy with codicils for each state and pay attention to each state's laws and change my policy as those laws change. It doesn't make sense.

I think what people are saying is that policy coverage varies by state, especially with the varying state laws, so in any given state, you may or may not need extra auto insurance coverage, you may or may not need extra medical insurance coverage, and there may even be another option for you. I don't have auto insurance, because I don't drive. I also currently don't have medical insurance. If there were an inexpensive option that would cover being in an auto-related accident on my bike - and if I rode in traffic a lot, especially city traffic - I would definitely consider it.