My homeowners company (USAA) also told me they wouldn't cover my bikes due to a motor (and being a vehicle). I'm not sure if I trust that to be accurate because on both of the phone calls I made to them they seemed really perplexed when I tried to explain to them what an e-bike is. It might have been the easiest thing for the USAA rep to ultimately just say "we don't cover it" because the rep didn't understand it. They referred me to Progressive (I think) who of course laughed when I called because they provide motorcycle insurance and do not cover bicycles. So USAA said it wasn't a bike and their partner/referral said it was a bike and neither said they would provide coverage. So just to be sure I had coverage, I decided to purchase a policy with Velosurance. Their processes for setting up the policies were efficient and web-based. I can't comment on anything else because I haven't had a claim nor have I needed additional service. I believe they are underwritten by Markel which is a fairly established company in specialty-type insurance policies.
Every bicycle has a number on the frame. Now to decide if it's a serial number or VIN is splitting hairs because it is a unique number to that bicycle. It's very easy to register any bicycle by number with your police department. Will they not insure a moped either? I doubt if they are built to NIHTSA either. Just as states are struggling to adapt to the new ebikes, it appears the same with insurance companies.
