Bicycle Insurance

[nobachi2000]

My auto liability insurance covers me if I hit someone else's car or property regardless of what I am driving.  What do I need to consider if I purchase bicycle insurance and do I really need one if I am riding alone?  What happens when I a friend travels with me or if a group decides to go together on the same route?

[FredHiltz]

Good question, Nobachi. Most states consider a bicycle to be a vehicle but not a motor vehicle, putting us in the same category as, say, a horse and carriage. Check your state at http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm and check your policy to see whether you are already covered as operator of another vehicle or another motor vehicle. If in doubt, ask your insurance company.

Fred

[bruno]

along this ine does anyone know if homeowners insurance covers bikes? i mean if they got stolen whilst locked up somewhere, could you make a claim. or would homeowners cover only if the bikes were stolen from the house itself?

[litespeed]

According to my insurance agent - State Farm - my bike is covered under my homeowners' policy anywhere in the country. I didn't ask if it's covered in another country such as Mexico or Canada. My touring bicycle (when loaded for touring) is the most valuable thing I own that isn't real estate so I should look into it.

This message was edited by litespeed on 2-4-07 @ 7:05 AM

[ptaylor]

I have had two bikes stolen. In both cases, my homeowners covered them, after the deductible.

A couple of years ago, an uninsured motorist ran into me. My homeowners and auto policies are with the same company, Sentry. Between the two policies, all my medical and bike replacement expenses were covered. Even though Sentry explained which losses were covered by which policies, I found it very confusing, and as Fred said, it varies by state. For example, coverage would have been different if I had been a pedestrian walking my bike through the intersection, rather than a vehicle operator riding it. I agree with Fred, suggesting you check with your insurance agent.

Paul