Insurance for Cyclists
As we expand cycling lanes and encourage more people to bike to work, more accidents will happen. Cyclist v. car: the car always wins. Cyclist v. pedestrian: the bike wins. Bike on bike, or a collision caused by a bike (like a car swerved to miss the bike but hit another car) – it may be impossible to find the cyclist.
You need your own insurance. If you have no insurance, but you have assets – the injured person will come after your assets. Insurance will protect you in case you are sued for hurting someone else. Insurance will also protect you in case someone hurts you, but has no assets and no insurance. Your insurance can kick in for the “under-insured” person who injured you.
Injuries from bike accidents can be more serious than car accidents: no big steel box around you; no headrest; no seatbelt; no airbag. Just skin and flesh hitting the road or car. Helmets protect from death, but not brain injury.
If you have a driver’s licence, you may have coverage. If you were hit by a car, the owner and driver should have coverage, so you can receive compensation. But you can be sure ICBC will try to avoid paying anything. So, you’ll need a lawyer.
But what about if neither cyclist has a driver’s licence? Ask your insurance agent. Many household policies cover “personal injury” (but usually exclude car accidents). So your home insurance may protect you against being sued for hurting someone else. But what about protecting you in case you are hurt? Your house insurance (or life insurance, or employee EHB policy) may provide for income loss. Again, ask your insurance agent. For a few bucks you may be able to protect yourself against a serious loss.
Again, you’ll need a lawyer to help you find out whether you have a claim, and whether you can get compensation for your injury. And if you get sued, you may need a lawyer to figure out that you have insurance to protect you, and get your own insurance company to step in.
Our Chris Carta recently spoke with Leigh Kjekstad of Global News – his interview is here. If you have any questions, give us a call. First meetings are free!