Suffering an accident is the worst news for any cyclist, whether amateur, professional, practicing mountain biking, road cycling, gravel or triathlon... The increase in bicycle use brings with it a rise in the number of incidents. Sometimes, it is our own carelessness that brings us to the ground. But in other cases, third parties are involved, such as being hit by a car, crashing into a parked vehicle, or colliding with a pedestrian. Low visibility, unexpected movements by other vehicles, invasion of the bike lane, pedestrians committing an infraction... Thinking about a bicycle accident brings to mind the fear of injuries caused by the impact, the damage that may have been done to other people or vehicles, and the damage that all the equipment may suffer, from the bike to the clothing. However, we often forget that having insurance or not can make a difference in this painful situation. What happens if I don't have insurance and have an accident with my bicycle? Next, we are going to offer you answers to this key question.
Am I the cause of the accident or the victim?
The bicycle is considered by traffic regulations, for all purposes, as a means of transportation. Therefore, although it is not mandatory to have insurance to use it, riding a bicycle on the street or road does imply a series of responsibilities and obligations that must be known. The first thing we must assess when we have a bicycle accident, for insurance purposes, is to be clear about whether we are the cause or the victim of the incident.
If the cause of the accident is another vehicle or person, we will be covered by the third-party insurance of the other party. But if we are the ones who caused it through our negligence or carelessness, and we do not have insurance, we may find ourselves in legal difficulties.
Home insurance policies, even in their basic contracts, cover part of the damages caused to third parties
The other party can claim financial compensation from us for the damages suffered. If we do not reach an agreement on this point, we could end up facing what could be a costly legal claim where compensation costs would have to be paid. Being covered by Civil Liability insurance against third-party claims will, therefore, get us out of a lot of trouble in the event of an accident.
Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents?
Home insurance policies, even in their basic contracts, cover part of the damages caused to third parties when a bicycle accident occurs in non-professional use. That is, as long as the accident did not occur during a competition or training session.
Naturally, the scope of coverage depends on each insurance policy. The reason why home insurance covers bicycle accidents lies in what is known as Family Civil Liability. In practice, this coverage means that the insurance will cover damages that a family member (whether parents or children) causes to a third party in their private life. However, if you are not the policyholder, you will have to prove that you live in the home listed on the policy.
If you are registered as a cyclist with the federation, you automatically have Accident Insurance coverage
The majority of home insurance policies also provide legal assistance, so they will likely make a lawyer from the insurance company available to you in case other people involved in the accident claim financial compensation from you. Another type of coverage that your home insurance may offer is assistance to the cyclist during a trip, as well as the transport of the damaged bicycle to a repair shop and the cost of the repair itself. In addition, there are other coverages, such as theft of the vehicle if it is in the house or nearby. Regarding theft, it should be remembered that, even if you have home insurance and have contracted a third-party damage clause, it will only cover you if you have insured both the contents and the structure of the house.
Do I need bicycle insurance if I am registered with the federation?
Being registered with the federation means you are covered by insurance, although many cyclists still have doubts about this. Registering as a cyclist is not only about obtaining a license to participate in competitions, but also about accessing the coverage of Mandatory Accident Insurance (Royal Decree 849/1993) that each federation must offer. This includes coverages such as unlimited medical assistance, hospital care, compensation for injuries and functional losses, or expenses derived from transporting the injured person to a medical center.
In addition, it includes coverage for Civil Liability Insurance of up to 1.2 million euros. For cyclists who do not compete but ride their bicycles in the city, another excellent option is the Cyclist Card, intended for people between the ages of 15 and 70. This digital document, which was created in 2016 and is issued by the federations of each autonomous community, includes Civil Liability Insurance and Sports Accident Insurance. The first of these, with coverage of up to 150,000 euros, includes legal defense in the event of a trial and the right to claim damages suffered in the case of an accident. Although it allows you to compete if you pay for a one-day license (with an applicable discount), the Cyclist Card does not replace the Cycle Touring License, which does allow participation in some events and offers greater coverage.
A type of insurance for every type of cyclist
If you prefer to take out bicycle insurance individually, you should know that there are as many types as there are cyclists. The market is broad and many companies compete to offer competitive prices for the largest possible number of coverages.
Evaluate your profile as a cyclist and the level of protection you require depending on how often you use your bicycle, the places where you ride and their difficulty, whether you usually leave it parked in areas with a high risk of theft, etc. There are insurance policies that cover assistance and hospitalization for several days if needed, as well as comprehensive coverage. Most companies distinguish between insurance for amateurs and insurance for participants in professional and/or extreme competitions. The basic coverage offered by insurance companies for cyclists includes:
- Civil liability.
- Damage coverage.
- Legal defense and claim for damages.
- Travel assistance and remote medical guidance.
Other coverages you can purchase include:
- Accidental damage to the bicycle.
- Theft.
- Disability or death of the cyclist.
- Compensation for hospitalization and surgery