Scooters and e-bikes are excellent means of transport for those who wish to get to places a little faster while saving money. E-bikes are particularly fun, and if you’d like to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, riding these gets you closer to your fitness goals. However, electric bike insurance isn’t something that many people worry about every day.
Most e-bike and scooter owners purchase home insurance or auto insurance without considering whether the motorized properties are included in their loss or liability coverages. So how will you know if you really need insurance for your electric bike and scooter?
Are E-Bikes and Scooters Covered by Insurance?
Since an e-bike is a motorized vehicle, it doesn’t get much liability, theft, or damage coverage, if any, under most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Even if the e-bike is covered under your personal property protection, the coverage will be very limited.
Your auto insurance policy may not offer any protection for e-bike accident liability or loss either. That’s because of the high risk associated with the lack of rider training and e-bike registration requirements.
In short, neither home insurance nor auto insurance policies automatically offer adequate e-bike liability and loss coverage. You’d need specialized electric bike insurance to enjoy full protection in most scenarios.
Why Do E-Bikes and Scooters Need to Be Insured?
If you’re interested in owning an e-bike or scooter, you might need to purchase special coverage for the following reasons:
- To protect your investment
E-bikes are quite an investment, with some high-end options costing more than $10,000. Even if you buy a high-quality bike for only $1,000, you’d still need to protect it just like any other personal property. Your asset faces multiple risks, including damage and vandalism. Keep in mind that e-bikes can go greater distances than traditional bicycles. The risk of loss is higher as a result.
- For your personal injury protection
An e-bike riding accident will likely result in more severe injuries to the rider because of the higher speed. Your e-bike insurance can pay for your medical bills after a cycling accident. It may also cover your medical costs if another motorist is at fault.
- For liability protection
Liability coverage for e-bike riders is important because of the high probability of causing severe third-party injuries in a crash. The high speed of an e-bike exposes the rider to the risk of causing significant damage to property belonging to other persons. If the victim sues you for medical costs or property damage after a cycling accident, your e-bike insurance policy will help you cover the claim.
- To close coverage gaps
Special coverage for your e-bike can get you liability or loss protections not available under your home, personal property, or automobile liability insurance.
- To take advantage of available specialized coverage
E-bike policies aren’t necessarily expensive, as you might get basic coverage for about $100 a year, which can be customized based on your personal needs. Some of the available customization options are as follows:
- Personal accident insurance- to cover medical costs if you sustain injuries in an accident involving your e-bike
- E-bike theft insurance- to replace your e-bike if it is stolen
- Third-party liability- if you’re at fault for e-bike crash injuries to another person or cause damage to another person’s property
- Vandalism or accidental damage- to cover repairs or replacements if somebody else deliberately or accidentally damages your e-bike
It’s vital to carry scooter or electric bike insurance if you own either of them due to the additional risks that are not usually covered under homeowners insurance or auto insurance policies. At Hoffman Brown Company, we are always on the lookout for more information on how to keep you safe. We are ready to help you find reliable and responsible insurance for your personal needs. To get started, contact us today!
