Car Insurance and Bicycles
Share the road. That’s the number one mantra we all hear when it comes to the great debate about cars, bicycles, and safety for all. While drivers and bicyclists may sometimes feel that they are at odds with one another, it’s a fact of life in most cities that bike lanes and car lanes are either right next to each other or shared completely.
This in mind, it’s easy to understand how this can be a dangerous situation -- after all, cars are much larger, heavier, faster and more forceful than bikes, and accidents are just a part of life. This in mind, how can one share the road safely?
Laws and Safety Protocols to Keep in Mind
Bicycling laws can and do vary by state, but for the most part cyclists are expected to follow the same traffic laws as cars -- they must obey traffic signals and stop signs, they must ride in the appropriate lane, and they must yield to pedestrians. There are several common hand signals used in cycling to indicate which direction the cyclist is planning to turn, when they’re about to stop, or that the vehicle behind them is welcome to pass. Car drivers and cyclists alike learn these signals to practice road safety.
Bicyclists should also make sure to wear the right protective gear, including knee and elbow pads, closed-toe shoes, and a helmet -- 22 states actually require helmets by law. Reflectors and lights attached to your bike are also highly recommended, particularly if you plan to ride at night.
As with any other vehicle on the road, drivers need to be aware of and avoid hitting bicyclists while driving. This means keeping track of your surroundings and regularly checking your mirrors and blind spots, giving bicyclists enough space on the road, and not passing a bicyclist unless you are able to change lanes in order to do so.
Who is At-Fault?
As bicyclists are generally expected to obey the same traffic laws as drivers, they can actually be found at-fault in a car-bicycle collision/accident, assuming they were the mistaken party. In many cases, however, unaware drivers are the ones who end up wrongfully hitting the cyclist, as it is unfortunately common for drivers to be inexperienced with and ill-prepared to share the road with bikes.
As with any accident, it is up to your insurance companies and potentially law enforcement to determine who is at fault. The at-fault party will be liable for damages, whether they were driving a car or riding a bike.
What Kind of Insurance Should Bicyclists Have?
Given that bicyclists can be held accountable for any accidents they cause, it is key that they have some sort of insurance just in case, though it is not legally required. Here are some types of insurance that may be advantageous for a cyclist to purchase:
- Home/renters insurance: This can cover repair costs in the event that your bike is damaged.
- Health insurance: If you are injured, this will cover your healthcare costs.
- Personal liability insurance: This will cover the property and physical damage suffered by the other party should you cause an accident. This is often a part of your home or renters insurance, but can also be purchased separately.
- Uninsured/underinsured insurance: Generally purchased as a part of one’s auto insurance policy, this offers coverage in the case that you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance.
Many cyclists are children, who will not have insurance on their own. In these cases, their parent’s insurance should cover them, assuming they were found at-fault in the accident. Drivers, for their part, should absolutely have insurance, as is required by law. While the state minimum is what’s legally required, opting to purchase higher coverage insurance can protect you from financial ruin in the event of a particularly bad accident.
The Bottom Line
Sharing the road can be done safely, if drivers and cyclists alike take the proper precautions and avoid distractions while on the road. Accidents do happen, however, and that’s why we recommend that drivers and cyclists both have insurance that can cover them just in case, whether it is required by law or not. Whether you are strictly a driver or you dabble in cycling as well, we suggest that you compare quotes with us so you can find an affordable policy today.