Insurance Recommendations for Cyclists in the USA

[pharding]

Based upon my recent horrific experience of being hit from behind by a car going 55 mph, I recommend this level of insurance. Under one's automobile insurance policy get $1,000,000 uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage. Under your home owner's policy get a $1 million umbrella policy that specifically covers both the house AND lists uninsured and under-insured motorists so that it goes on top of the uninsured and under-insured auto insurance coverage. If one gets hit, is seriously injured and cannot work, $2,000,000 before attorneys fees are deducted from that sum, is not too much money. Medical care is expensive. My medical bills were $100,000 for the three weeks that I was hospitalized. This included a $22,000 full CAT Scan. Add to that the cost of my Cervelo P3, time off from work, pain and suffering, medical expenses beyond the first three weeks, future medical care and expenses, my spouse's time, going a long time being celibate, future activities that I will never be able to do, legal fees, etc and it all adds up.

[morephyous]

It amazes me how expensive medical costs are in the States. You guys should come to Australia

[nitropowered]

It amazes me how expensive medical costs are in the States. You guys should come to Australia

Its because its a Health Care "Industry". Insurance companies and health care companies don't care about health care, they care about dollars in the bank.

[vfr700]

Based upon my recent horrific experience of being hit from behind by a car going 55 mph, I recommend this level of insurance. Under one's automobile insurance policy get $1,000,000 uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage. Under your home owner's policy get a $1 million umbrella policy that specifically covers both the house AND lists uninsured and under-insured motorists so that it goes on top of the uninsured and under-insured auto insurance coverage. If one gets hit, is seriously injured and cannot work, $2,000,000 before attorneys fees are deducted from that sum, is not too much money. Medical care is expensive. My medical bills were $100,000 for the three weeks that I was hospitalized. This included a $22,000 full CAT Scan. Add to that the cost of my Cervelo P3, time off from work, pain and suffering, medical expenses beyond the first three weeks, future medical care and expenses, my spouse's time, going a long time being celibate, future activities that I will never be able to do, legal fees, etc and it all adds up.

I couldn't agree more. My wife and I were hit by an unlicensed, uninsured drunk woman (.266BAC Sunday at 9am), while we were on our motorcycles. The uninsured coveraged saved the day. My wife was in the hospital for a week, and in a wheelchair for four months.

[rruff]

Curious... are cyclists generally covered by their uninsured motorist policies? That is good news if it's true... at least I'd get something if I was hit.

What if it's a hit and run?

[pharding]

Yes. If it is a motor vehicle you are covered, even if it is hit and run. Hit and run is most typical, unfortunately. The insurance that I recommended above is relatively inexpensive.

It is disappointing to me that the moderators apathetically moved this thread. It is a lot more important to this cycling community than many of the threads posted here.

[vfr700]

Curious... are cyclists generally covered by their uninsured motorist policies? That is good news if it's true... at least I'd get something if I was hit.

What if it's a hit and run?

It's true, and will cover you if you're run over while walking the dog; or on the bike.

[SL58]

It amazes me how expensive medical costs are in the States. You guys should come to Australia

If we come to Australia you guys will have the same cost as we do.

[kytyree]

I'm dealing with trying to recoup my losses from a hit and run last week. Thankfully, physically I am doing fine but I need to replace my bike. Should hear from my insurance company Monday and I'm hoping the police will track down the other driver as I got the tag and make for them.

[pharding]

Around here typically you would get a new bike plus expenses very easily. Carbon frame-sets that have been crashed can carry unseen damage. Generally it is an easy sell to get a new bike plus expenses after a crash with a motor vehicle. For an insurance company it is much more palatable to do that and have you sign a release than have you get a lawyer and sue to collect damages which will be much, much more.

[stella-azzurra]

What does a policy such as you describe go for? Just ball park figure.

[Geoff]

Holy smokes. Thank goodness for the Canadian Universal Health Care System and the S.E.F. 44!

[pharding]

What does a policy such as you describe go for? Just ball park figure.

$300 +/- for both policies. If you are seriously disabled or paralyzed $2,000,000 minus attorneys fees is not too much money.

[allezdude]

I had my wife look into an umbrella policy but the agent told her it would not cover under/uninsured drivers who might run me over on the road. This is in Illinois- what state are you in and who (ins. co.) issued your policy? Would like to look into this more. Thanks

[pharding]

I am in Illinois. Our insurance is with Chubb. You are not obligated to tell the home owner's insurance agent why you want it. If you are struck by a car and it is the other party's fault, in most states, and certainly Illinois, it is a vehicular accident and the auto driver is at fault. His auto insurance covers you period. Unfortunately in Illinois one is required to carry auto liability insurance with a minimum of $25,000, which is grossly insufficient for many personal injury auto accidents. Most people have under-insured or un-insured motorist coverage on their auto policy. I assume that you do. What I am suggesting it to bump that up to the max, with some auto insurance companies, it is $1,000,000. One can purchase umbrella insurance on all homeowners policies. A variant of this that you have to specifically ask for, is an umbrella policy which covers un-insured and under-insured motorist coverage above what you carry on your auto insurance policy. Chubb offers $1,000,000 coverage.

It is has been almost 8 weeks since I was hit. I still really hurt. I cannot sleep through the night without getting up two to three times for pain medication. The medical bills have hit $100,000. I have multiple injuries which require multiple specialist doctors. I am up to 8 doctors now, without counting assistant doctors or interns. I go to physical therapy twice a week. I have PT exercises that I do twice a day. I also go to a water exercise therapy pool at a local hospital. All this takes an enormous amount of my time. And then there is the time that my wonderful wife has in this. My wife helped 30 hours per week while I was in the hospital plus a lot of time with doctor's visits and helping me exercise after that. And I am now celibate for the time being. My business lost $20,000+ the first month that I was out. I cannot draw a salary. In short with my injuries it is incredibly expensive, a bonfire for money. Imagine what the expenses would be if you had brain damage or were paralyzed to some degree.

Insurance is a critical consideration for cyclists. I am amazed insurance has not generated more interest on the part of cyclists.