Does Home Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents in Florida?

Bicycling is a great way to get exercise, save money on gas, and help the environment. However, cyclists need to be aware of the risks involved in riding a bike. What happens if you’re involved in a bicycle accident? Do cyclists need insurance? Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents in Florida?

Simply put, standard homeowner’s insurance plans won’t cover a bicycle accident. But there are other types of coverage as well as add-ons that can cover a bike accident. In this article, we will discuss what homeowner’s insurance covers and what type of policies cyclists should consider getting.

Aside from having an insurance policy, Florida bicyclists should also seek a free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney from Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney and his associates when they get into an accident. It is best to cover all bases to ensure your protection and help you recover losses after an accident.

What does homeowner’s insurance cover?

Homeowner’s insurance covers the home and its contents. A standard policy usually has property damage coverage to the home and other structures such as fences. However, damage caused by Acts of God like floods and earthquakes may not be included in the coverage but can be covered as an optional add-on.

These policies also cover theft or damage to personal belongings or the contents of the home and personal liability for accidents that happen on the property. A standard policy will cover the following:

• Property damage from fire or smoke
• Damage to objects outside of the house but within the property, such as fences, sheds, garages, and similar structures
• Damage caused by extreme weather conditions such as hail, winds, typhoons, and lightning
• Vandalism
• Theft of items, the value of which will depend on the policy limits
• Personal liability for injuries that occur on your property

These are the things that a standard homeowner’s insurance plan will cover. You can purchase a rider or an umbrella insurance policy to get higher coverage. As you can see, bicycle accidents are not part of the standard coverage of a homeowner’s insurance. To answer the question, “Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents in Florida?” – a standard policy will not cover it.

What type of insurance should cyclists get?

The majority of homeowners have insurance to cover repairs or replacement of the home in case of property damage. For cyclists, this type of policy can offer coverage for the theft of the bike if it is listed as an item of value and if is within the coverage amount when purchasing the said policy. However, bicycle accidents are a different story.

Is bicycle insurance necessary? Yes, it is. The high number of bicycle accident cases in Florida continues to make a case in support of bicycle insurance. It is similar to homeowner’s insurance, except that it is specifically purchased for bicycles.

It is recommended to get bike insurance as this will protect you and your bike in case of an accident. Below are the different types of coverage that can be included in a bicycle insurance plan for stackable coverage. These types of coverage can also be purchased as add-ons or riders to an existing home or auto insurance policy – but this will depend on the company. Make sure to ask your insurance agent about these types of plans.

Keep in mind that purchasing an insurance policy is just one step in ensuring your protection when you get into an accident. Bicycle accidents happen frequently in Florida and can result in serious injuries to the bicycle rider. Experienced personal injury attorneys from Jared Spingarn, P.A. Accident Attorneys can help you recover compensation after an accident.

Different Types of Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accidents

Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents in Florida? As mentioned, standard policies aren’t enough to protect you and your bicycle in case of an accident. So, do cyclists need to get additional insurance to cover them in case a crash occurred?

The simple answer is yes, cyclists do need additional insurance policies. Just like any other mode of transportation, there is always the risk of a bicycle accident occurring. Cyclists can collide with a motor vehicle or get injured in a crash. If a cyclist is involved in an accident, they could be held liable for damages.

Personal Injury Protection Insurance

PIP insurance policies cover medical bills, lost wages, and injuries caused by a bicycle accident. In Florida, all motor vehicle drivers are required to carry PIP insurance at all times. This means that if you have PIP coverage, you are covered even while riding your bike.

However, PIP coverage may not be enough to cover the whole extent of your medical bills and lost wages. Thus, combining PIP with private health insurance is a great way to ensure maximum coverage.

PIP is also known as no-fault insurance. No-fault benefits mean you can enjoy medical coverage regardless of who caused the accident. A no-fault benefit will cover your medical expenses due to personal injury.

Collision and Liability Insurance

Collision and liability insurance is important if you find yourself in a bike crash. Collision insurance will help you pay for damages to your car or bicycle. You can easily file a claim as long as you can prove that a collision occurred when you were out for a bike ride.

Liability insurance covers damages that you caused. A claim usually involves property damage – in simple terms, you caused the damage when you were out for a ride. The main difference is that the injured party’s insurance company usually covers their own collision insurance; while the other party’s insurance company will cover the damage in liability coverage.

Health Insurance

Health insurance covers medical costs and is a necessity for anyone, whether you are driving a car or riding a bicycle. It will cover the costs of hospitalization, surgery, and other medical treatment due to injuries sustained in an accident.

There are different types of healthcare plans available. You can get coverage from your employer or purchase your own policy. You can also get a policy through the government’s marketplace. In most cases, you will be required to pay a deductible before the policy covers your medical bills.

The best way to ensure that you are covered in case of an accident is to have a combination of different types of insurance. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you and your belongings are protected.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage or UM insurance is also important to have. It will cover you in case you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. UM coverage will also cover you if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver. This type of insurance is not required in Florida, but it is a good idea to have this type of coverage to protect yourself.

When can I use my insurance?

The different types of insurance offer distinct types of coverage. The best way to ensure that you have enough coverage in case of a bicycle crash is to get a comprehensive plan that will cover all the bases.

It is also advised to seek legal assistance from a bike accident lawyer from the law firm of Jared Spingarn, P.A. who can help you when you get into an accident. Often, insurance adjusters will try to lowball you when filing an insurance claim. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney from the firm can help you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit if necessary. Here are some situations that you may find yourself in.

Situation A: I was rear-ended by a car and the driver refuses to take responsibility for the crash.

If you find yourself at a traffic stop and are suddenly hit by a car, the driver of the motor vehicle is at fault. In most cases, your PIP coverage is a saving grace for the medical bills that will surely pile up. If the driver’s insurance does not cover bodily injury or the driver refuses to pay, get in touch with Jared Spingarn, a reputable Florida bicycle accident attorney who can advise you on the best course of action to take if you find yourself in this situation.

Situation B: While out riding my bike, I accidentally bumped and damaged the neighbor’s fence.

If you are the one who caused the damage, your liability and collision policies can save you all the financial and mental anguish of paying for the property you damaged. Make sure to get the contact details of the property owner and file a claim immediately.

Situation C: I was riding in the bike lane when a motorcycle cut me off, causing personal injury and bike damage. The car had no insurance.

In this case, a UM policy can help you get the needed medical attention. Many cyclists encounter this type of vehicle crash, and UM coverage has helped pay for medical expenses when the motor vehicle’s driver does not have their own policy.

I’ve been in a bicycle accident, can the law offices of Jared Spingarn, P.A. assist me?

In all of the situations mentioned, you have the option to take legal action even if you already filed a claim. Before riding, make sure that you are covered by personal injury protection, even if you don’t have a motor vehicle. In case of a crash, you may need to pay a minimal amount depending on the policy that you have. Some policies require you to pay a deductible amount upfront.

Florida’s PIP law requires motor vehicle owners to have a policy that will cover a minimum of $10,000 in medical costs. But what if you don’t have PIP coverage and the costs exceed the amount of coverage?

In these cases, you can seek compensation from the party at-fault through legal action. Get in touch with the law offices of Jared Spingarn, P.A. immediately to get a free consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer who is an expert in injury law. The lawyer who will be assigned to your case can give you the best advice on the fair compensation you deserve. You also have the option to sue the other party for the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Conclusion

Going on a bike ride can improve physical and mental health, but one ride can also cause accidents with motor vehicles that lead to severe injuries. As a cyclist, you should be sure to protect yourself in case of an accident.

Does home insurance cover bicycle accidents in Florida? While this type of insurance may include bike theft, it will not cover a bike accident. It is still best to get a policy with PIP and UM coverage. It is also recommended to immediately consult with a bicycle accident attorney from the law firm of Jared Spingarn to help you file an insurance claim and/or a lawsuit against the other party.

Bicycle insurance can help you easily recover from an accident. Keep in mind that although insurance will help you recover, you can take several steps to avoid getting into an accident such as obeying road rules, wearing the correct protective gear, and staying alert while riding.

>> If you’re involved in a bike accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a free Case Review or drop a message on our Contact Us page.