Living Car Free - owning a car

What are you going to do if the insurance company wants to inspect the car for existing damage before they insure you? Your premium will go through the roof once they realize what you're up to.

When you figure out how much auto insurance payments would be, consider paying the same amount into a good savings or money market account. You'll at least make 5 or 6 percent interest and keep your money instead of giving it away to an insurance company. Before long, you'll have enough money to replace a broken bike, and out-of-pocket hospital stuff your health insurance doesn't cover. In fact, everyone should have some money set aside in case they can't go to work for a while.

I am not buying a minimum of comprehensive, nor would I make a claim under it, it is simply the ONLY way to secure UI coverage. They are welcome to inspect it. Perhaps I could get a waiver disallowing any claim to repair the car!

I will be seeking a replacement of a $5,000 dollar bicycle, and most likely medical expenses should such coverage be necessary. If I could become self-insured to these amounts, why would I pursue this ridiculous scheme?

Check around, you should be able to get bicycle-specific insurance. Perhaps a local bicycle club can help direct you to a friendly insurance company.

None in USA. Two or three companies are competing in this market in the UK. I also heard there is a bicycle organization in Toronto that has applied for a group coverage plan for their members, but I don't know the details as I am not eligible.

For my out of town work I'm bound to a car, too much equipment to lug way too far.
For my in town activities I use a bike ~80% of the time. Ferrying elderly parents or inclement weather (driving rain or very heavy winds) are about the only times I'll use my car locally.

I know what you mean; after my father died, I was finally able to sell the car, as I only really used it to take him shopping or to the doctor.

I rent a car when I have to travel out of town and bus or train are too inconvenient.

actually i was pretty disappointed to see how much i would save if i just used a bike.
Me too. Let's see what costs I have associated with owning a car:

Car payments: My car is all paid off so there are no monthly payments.
Insurance: pretty low since I turned 25, and have a perfect driving record.
Parking: My city is not very dense so parking is free everwhere, even downtown.
Gas: Doesn't cost me much because I don't drive much and don't have a lead foot.
Repairs: My car is fairly new so there are no repair costs, and doubt there will be anytime soon.
Maintenance: Involves an oil change every 6 months and I do it myself and it costs less than $20 for oil and filter, a negligible amount of money.
License: Renewing my license plates costs $70 every two years, again a negligible cost.

No, the amount of money I'd save by getting rid of my car is just not significant. I suspect this is the case with many car owners who drive as little as me.

Me too. Let's see what costs I have associated with owning a car:

Car payments: My car is all paid off so there are no monthly payments.
Insurance: pretty low since I turned 25, and have a perfect driving record.
Parking: My city is not very dense so parking is free everwhere, even downtown.
Gas: Doesn't cost me much because I don't drive much and don't have a lead foot.
Repairs: My car is fairly new so there are no repair costs, and doubt there will be anytime soon.
Maintenance: Involves an oil change every 6 months and I do it myself and it costs less than $20 for oil and filter, a negligible amount of money.
License: Renewing my license plates costs $70 every two years, again a negligible cost.

No, the amount of money I'd save by getting rid of my car is just not significant. I suspect this is the case with many car owners who drive as little as me.

Of course if you don't drive much your costs per mile are probably outrageous. At some point in the carlight continuum it just makes no economic sense to own a car, unless it fills some psychological need.

Me too. Let's see what costs I have associated with owning a car:

Car payments: My car is all paid off so there are no monthly payments.
Insurance: pretty low since I turned 25, and have a perfect driving record.
Parking: My city is not very dense so parking is free everwhere, even downtown.
Gas: Doesn't cost me much because I don't drive much and don't have a lead foot.
Repairs: My car is fairly new so there are no repair costs, and doubt there will be anytime soon.
Maintenance: Involves an oil change every 6 months and I do it myself and it costs less than $20 for oil and filter, a negligible amount of money.
License: Renewing my license plates costs $70 every two years, again a negligible cost.

No, the amount of money I'd save by getting rid of my car is just not significant. I suspect this is the case with many car owners who drive as little as me.

You also have to allow for the initial purchase price of the car and depreciation. I know the $15k that I paid for my used truck (required for work and pretty much paid for by them) would have bought me a crap load of cycling gear, paid my electric bill for several years or could have paid for a world tour while I took a year off from work. In our area you also have to pay property taxes on vehicles, in addition to licensing fees and insurance.

Aaron:)