Yes. Depending on the coverage you have, your car insurance can cover you if you’re injured while riding a bicycle regardless of who is at fault. A good number of car insurance policies tend to cover losses such as injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering caused by accidents involving a car and a bicyclist.

First and foremost, the accident will have to involve a vehicle. It barely matters if you are on a bike, motorcycle, ATV, or in a van or truck, as far as one of the vehicles in the accident is an automobile, your car insurance will cover it.

You may also need to have Personal Injury Protection coverage on your car policy. If you love to cruise your bike out on the streets or if you own a fairly costly bicycle, you might want to consider increasing your coverage.

Agreeably, any clash between a car and a bicycle will most likely leave the bicycle damaged and its rider with substantial medical bills. Car insurance policies that include personal injury protection or medical payments coverage will cover injuries accrued by pedestrians and bicyclists as long as they are listed on the policy.

If you are not at fault for the accident, you can get reimbursed for injuries from the at-fault driver’s car insurance. However, if you are the one at fault, then your car insurance may not cover the damage to your bicycle. You may have to file a claim on your homeowners or renters insurance to have damage to the bicycle covered.

Other Insurance Policy Coverage for Bicycle Accidents

Aside from car insurance policies that include personal injury protection or medical payments coverage that can cover injuries accrued in a bicycle accident; note there are other types of insurance policies that may cover damages, injuries, and other losses in the event of a bicycle accident. Below are some common insurance policies that may offer coverage in a bicycle accident:

  1. Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage

There is a very high rate of uninsured drivers in the United States; therefore, it is recommended that drivers purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage in a car insurance policy.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists coverage (“UM/UIM”) provides additional insurance coverage to you in a situation where the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough of it. Since you will most often choose the amount of UM/UIM coverage you want on your auto policy, it is one of the easiest ways for you to protect yourself when you are riding a bicycle.

  1. Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance

This is another policy to consider because it might help you avoid financial liability for damages especially if you are the at-fault party. Have it in mind that this kind of insurance may cater to property damage, such as the loss of a bike, or damage to a car when you are the one at fault.

However, note that not every homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is bundled the same; therefore, to guarantee that bicycle-related theft or accident is covered, you must read your policy or talk with your insurer. In the United States, the typical triggers for your insurance policy to take effect after a bike crash include;

  • An accident happened.
  • The accident was your fault and you are going to be liable to someone else for damages
  • The other person was injured or you caused property damage.
  • There was no motor vehicle involved.
  1. Health Insurance

If anyone involved in the accident sustains wounds that require immediate medical attention, personal health insurance coverage will step in to cover some initial costs of treatment.

Health insurance covers your medical expenses irrespective of whose fault the accident was. However, note that you will still be expected to contend with your health insurer’s deductible and co-pays. Howbeit, your health insurance should be your first method of payment after any bicycle collision.

  1. Standalone Bicycle Insurance

Standalone bike insurance policies tend to offer a more comprehensive coverage than Homeowners or car insurance policies. They tend to include crash damage, theft coverage, vehicle contact, personal liability, replacement bike rental, event fee return, cycling apparel, medical payments, racing coverage, electric-assist bicycles, and bicycle airline shipping coverage.

With this type of bike insurance, if you get in a crash and require financial assistance, your coverage will supplement your health insurance and account for your personal contribution (up to the policy limit, of course). Also note that this insurance offers theft coverage in case your bike is stolen, not recovered, or is damaged while being stolen or returned.

Crash protection is another very enviable component of bike insurance, and all bike insurance companies offer some form of this coverage. This includes everything from losing control and crashing on a descent, to having someone hit your bike from behind while on the trailer hitch rack.