According to stats, the eco-transportation trend is becoming more and more popular every year. Hills around the bike megaplex in Kashiwazaki City (Ibuka District, Niigata Prefecture) see an impressive 10,000 children hopping on two wheels for some morning sunlight. There are more than 20 million bicycles sold yearly in the United States. Even at business levels, companies are now actively offering programs to get their employees to get on their bicycles and make their way to work. A bicycle is a decisive form of transport: it brings emotion, a great eco initiative, relaxation and mobility. So it is not surprising that the experts of the professional legal service BicycleAccidentLawyers.com are increasingly facing cases of incidents and road traffic accidents involving bicyclists. One of the most frequent questions from clients is whether the automobile insurance policy covers bicycle accidents. Let’s try to understand the situation together.

Key Facts About Auto Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accidents

Based on regulations in developed countries such as the US, UK, Canada and the European Union, in most cases, compulsory car insurance will cover the costs to the victim if the driver is involved in an accident with a cyclist. The level of coverage and the application process will of course vary depending on the type of complexity of the accident, the insurance company and the region where the unfortunate crash happened. In our review, we will focus on current examples of the United States’ experience in allocating insurance liability in combined automobile and bicycle accidents.

Specifics of auto insurance policies in the US

Liability Insurance, which is standard in the United States, will cover the bicyclist’s medical expenses, possible lost earnings and even compensation for moral damages. While Property Damage Liability will pay for repairs to the crash broken bicycle and other damaged property. Experienced insurers know that it is sometimes possible to supplement a Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy by proving that a cyclist is a protected person for medical bills, even in some cases regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

State-to-state Auto Insurance Regulation

Just be aware that in the states of Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and some other regions with no-fault insurance, compensation for expenses depends on the terms of different policies and may be partially limited. In any case, consultation with an insurance agent will be essential to clarify all details.

Does Car Insurance Cover All Bicycle Accidents?

Whether your insurance will pay for your specific bicycle accident is hard to determine for sure. There is no doubt that required liability insurance will pay for the cyclist’s losses and costs if it is established that an automobile was at fault, as evidenced by police records and verified by witnesses. After a collision with a bicycle, the vehicle’s repairs may be covered by an optional collision coverage. The wounded cyclist will be compensated by Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, even if the motorist was not insured at the time of the collision.

But in cases where the traffic laws have been proven to have been violated by the bicyclist, there is a greater chance that insurance companies will refuse to pay out. The only way out for such cases is to sign in advance extra policies specially customized for bicycle owners.

Extra Insurance Options Better Considered for Bicyclists

Legal and insurance experts insist that as full-fledged road users, cyclists should take care of their safety and responsibly take out insurance for various types of road accidents. Every bicycle owner who actively uses their bike not only as a means of entertainment but also as transportation is advised to have specific types of insurance to protect them from unexpected situations. Here are the main options:

• Personal Health Insurance, which covers medical expenses in case of injury, no matter who caused the accident
• Cyclist Liability Insurance, which is analogous to auto insurance, specially customized for bicycling. The product will cover losses if a cyclist causes an accident, such as damaging someone else’s property or injuring a pedestrian.
• Personal Accident Insurance will also easily cover the costs associated with a bicyclist’s injuries, including rehabilitation and compensation for lost wages.
• Bicycle Insurance is common among athletes and owners of premium, expensive bicycle models. This insurance will pay for the repair or replacement of a bicycle in the event of damage, theft or destruction, and often includes options such as protection against accessory damage.

Conclusions

In most cases, bicycle accidents can be covered by mandatory insurance, which can also pay for repairs and medical expenses. However, only if it is established that the insured driver was at fault. Many insurance companies have the right to refuse to pay for damages if the cyclist’s traffic infraction triggered the event. The kind of insurance and the nation will determine the precise conditions and payment amounts. In any event, obtaining personal supplemental specialist insurance products will be the greatest assurance for owners of motor vehicles. We as a society can only speak with confidence about a safe environment where everyone respects their rights and obligations when there is complete reciprocal sharing of responsibility for what occurs on the roads.