Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents can happen unexpectedly, and if you’re involved in one, you may wonder if your homeowners insurance will cover the damages. While homeowners insurance typically covers damages to your property and certain injuries, it’s important to understand the specifics when it comes to accidents involving bicycles.

In this article, we’ll explore whether your homeowners insurance can help in the case of a bicycle accident and what options you might have for coverage. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, I can guide you in understanding the coverage details that apply to bicycle accidents.

When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?

Homeowners insurance may cover bicycle accidents in some cases. Here are situations when it might apply:

Accidents On Your Property

If someone gets hurt while riding a bike on your property, like in your yard or driveway, and the accident happened because of something you were responsible for (like a hole or uneven ground), your homeowners insurance could help pay for their medical bills or damages.

Injuries You’re Liable For

If a cyclist gets hurt because of something you did wrong (like leaving something dangerous on your property), your homeowners insurance might cover the costs if they decide to sue you or if you need to pay their medical bills.

Damage To Your Neighbor’s Property

If your bike or your actions damage your neighbor’s property (like crashing into their fence), your homeowners insurance may help pay for the repairs.

When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Bicycle Accidents?

Homeowners insurance might not cover bicycle accidents in the following situations:

Accidents Away From Your Property

If a bicycle accident happens outside your property, such as on the road or in a public place, your homeowners insurance won’t cover it. In this case, you would need bike insurance or personal liability coverage.

Injuries From Negligence

If the accident happened because you were negligent or careless, such as riding without proper safety gear or breaking traffic laws, your homeowners insurance might not cover the accident.

Intentional Damage Or Actions

If the injury or damage was caused intentionally (for example, if you hit someone on purpose), your homeowners insurance will not cover it.

Accidents While Participating In Risky Activities

Some homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for accidents occurring during high-risk activities like bike racing or extreme biking.

How Do Deductibles Work For Bicycle Accidents?

Even if your homeowners insurance covers a bike accident or damage, that doesn’t always mean you’ll get a full payout. Most policies come with a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance helps cover the rest. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the damage to your bike costs $800, your insurance won’t pay anything in that case.

There’s also something called a coverage limit, which is the maximum amount your insurance will pay for certain items. Bikes often have a lower limit under personal property coverage, unless you’ve added extra coverage. If you have an expensive bike or an e-bike, it’s worth checking your policy to see if you’re fully covered.

It’s important to check these details when taking out a policy to understand what homeowners insurance covers.

What To Do After A Bicycle Accident To Support Your Home Insurance Claim

If you have a bicycle accident on or near your property and want to make a claim with your homeowners insurance, follow these steps to help the process go smoothly:

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe: Check if anyone is injured and call for medical help if needed.

Collect Important Information: Write down the date, time, and place of the accident. Take pictures of any damage to the bike, property, or surroundings.

Record the Details of the Accident: Get contact information from any witnesses. Note anything that may have caused the accident, like weather or obstacles.

Inform Your Insurance Company: Call your homeowners insurance company right away and give them all the information and photos you’ve collected.

Report to the Police: If there are serious damages or injuries, file a police report. This gives an official record of the accident.

Keep All Records: Save receipts for repairs, medical costs, or other expenses related to the accident. These will help when filing your claim.

Stay in Touch with Your Insurer: Check in with your insurance company to see how your claim is going. If they need more information, make sure to send it to them quickly.

Simple Ways To Prevent Bicycle Accidents Around Your Home

Here are some simple tips to help prevent bicycle accidents around your home and avoid insurance claims:

Keep Paths Clear: Make sure your driveway or walkways are free of rocks, sticks, or anything that could cause someone to trip or fall. Keep the area well-lit so cyclists can see clearly, especially at night.

Use Fences or Barriers: If your home is close to a busy road or dangerous area, consider adding a fence or barrier to keep cyclists safe from traffic and other hazards.

Create a Safe Riding Area: If you have a yard or driveway, set up a safe space for biking. Make sure the surface is smooth and flat to avoid accidents.

Add Signs: If cyclists often pass through your property, put up signs to show where biking is allowed and where it isn’t. This helps keep riders from going into unsafe areas.

Check Bikes Regularly: If you let others ride bikes on your property, make sure the bikes are in good condition. Check for flat tires, broken brakes, or loose parts that could cause an accident.