Bike Insurance

[maximan1]

Does anyone have this? How can I get it?

[urbanknight]

Yes, through homeowners/renters insurance.

[maximan1]

Ok...

[Miha]

I just tried to research the insurance for my future bike (my brand new one was just stolen), and my State Farm agent tells me my renters insurance lowest deductable is $500. Anybody knows of insurance agency in So Cal that would have lower or no deductable?

[jschen]

maximan and Miha, don't take this the wrong way, but insurance with a deductible below $500 really won't make sense. If you manage to find such a policy, you'll be paying through the roof for such a low deductible. And small claims quickly make your homeowner's or renter's insurance premiums skyrocket. The point of such insurance generally is for huge catastrophic losses, not for minor claims. Using such insurance for minor claims can quickly backfire.

[Brian]

You may want to try the Auto Club. They offer renter's policies. But insurance for your bike is, as Mr. Chen pointed out, not a wise investment. Bikes generally fall under sporting goods, which may have a coverage cap of $1000. So you'll end paying several hundred a year, for no more than $500 in coverage.

On the bright side, if you get hit by a car while on your bike, your auto policy should cover you. That's a big score if they're uninsured, and you have State Farm UMBI coverage.

[octico]

max no offense,but did'nt you buy your bike really cheap ?

[maximan1]

Yes, $40 but its worth a helluva lot more than that :D.

[maximan1]

Oh and my commuter was free :)...
I read on a google search that the city of Cypress sells bike insurance for $1 a year. If your bike gets stolen the police get notified about it from the city. I figured when you come over and tell them "My bike got stolen" they're picturing a walmart bike getting jacked by some 10 year olds. The city might actually do something. I'm to lazy to google it right now.

[Mr. Gear Jammer]

Does anyone have this? How can I get it?

Bicycle riding insurance OMG i never thought i'd see the day:beer: .

[Brian]

Bicycle riding insurance OMG i never thought i'd see the day:beer: .

I think he's referring to theft insurance.

[Mr. Gear Jammer]

I think he's referring to theft insurance.

Sounds cool with me

[Extort]

Max,
For some people insurance is worth it, but I do not believe that you want to get into that much adulthood so soon in life. Get a good U-lock, pull your front wheel and lock all the pieces together to something sturdy. Thieves take advantage of something easy to steal. If you make it difficult at all, then they are going to leave your bike alone.

Most city police departments offer bicycle registration, and that should not cost anything. This will help you in case your bike gets stolen as there is a record of the bike belonging to you and it allows the cops to make an arrest of they catch the thief. Basically, it is just the serial number from the bottom bracket and your name and address, but that is good enough. Also, take a close up photo of the bike so that you have something to give to the cops of your bike is stolen.

I have a special rider attached to my renter's insurance that covers my bikes. I pay a little more (it is not much!!), but the couple of bucks per year and the $500 deductable is better than the $3000 it would cost to replace one of them.

[urbanknight]

Bicycle riding insurance OMG i never thought i'd see the day:beer: .
It's actually a good idea. I was just reading how few drivers in California carry auto insurance, and then listening to John & Ken who's coworker got hit on a bicycle recently. It made me realize if an uninsured motorist hits me, it's my own health insurance that has to pay medical and nobody's replacing the bike.

[Brian]

It's actually a good idea. I was just reading how few drivers in California carry auto insurance, and then listening to John & Ken who's coworker got hit on a bicycle recently. It made me realize if an uninsured motorist hits me, it's my own health insurance that has to pay medical and nobody's replacing the bike.

I think I read somewhere that 1/3 of LA drivers are uninsured. UMBI coverage is dirt cheap, and well worth it.

[urbanknight]

Yep, the report I was reading estimated about 40%. How does one get UMBI insurance? Through homeowners? Renters? Auto?

[Brian]

With your auto policy. And last I checked, for me it was $30, but I don't remember if that was for 6 months, or the year.