Insurance for Electric Bikes

[ebikemom]

It seems to me that since this is all part of the broken leg and treatment plan and that you are under a physician's care, your appeal has merit. (I am not a lawyer). It is ridiculous to exclude PT because of a timetable that isn't related to medical need. It takes time for a leg to heal and PT would happen after that healing has occurred, which can take more than two months. If you don't have other medical insurance to cover these expenses, it could be worth your time to get a statement of medical necessity from your doctor that connects this with the treatment that is ongoing for your injury. I think the point of this "60 day" thing would be to prevent people from just doing PT because they feel like it, or to delay getting medical care after an injury, but you did not delay. You are under a doctor's care, doing what the doctor recommends. I suggest you appeal.

 

[AlanDB]

I agree with ebikemom. Also, open a case with your state's Commissioner of Insurance. The regulations vary from state to state, but in many states, the Insurance Commissioner will assist with claims disputes and most insurance companies like to avoid this scrutiny by the state.

 

[Dewey]

Thanks for the supportive comments, I have PT now scheduled from next week until I leave for an overseas trip in mid-December. I'll keep the co-pay receipts and submit a claim after I return in January and see what happens, then if they turn it down I'll appeal and if that doesn't work contact the Virginia insurance commissioner. At the least it will hopefully encourage them to shut down this pernicious practice.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

As a medical professional, and too well acquainted with the vagaries of insurance payments, let me suggest that there is a good chance that they deny most claims for one reason or another. Some people will appeal, and win, because they shouldn't have been denied in the first place. Many people will feel defeated by yet another faceless bureaucracy and won't appeal, and the company makes money. This scenario is way too common. I hope you will appeal, Dewey. Wouldn't hurt to pay some ambulance-chasing lawyer a few bucks or percentage of the take to handle it for you. They really don't want legal expenses in most cases. But you might make your first appeal on your own, and then get the lawyer. Both are time-proven strategies. Don't give up if they deny the first appeal, and don't just go to the commissioner. Lawyer up.

 

[Dewey]

Some people will appeal, and win, because they shouldn't have been denied in the first place. Don't give up if they deny the first appeal, and don't just go to the commissioner. Lawyer up.

Thanks for the encouragement, I expect they will simply point to the small print of the policy and claim it's not 'unfair' as they were up front about the timeframe clause. There are a few cyclist lawyers in the DC area https://www.waba.org/supporting-attorneys/ though none appear to take my Legal Resources insurance and at least one won't talk to you unless the claim is for >$1,000. I wouldn't want to pay the hourly fees for only a potential $500 payout (10 x $50 co-pay).

 

[pbhutch]

As I posted elsewhere, my Cannondale Contro-e was stolen from a card-access bike corral in a city parking garage, with two locks on it. Before I bought mine, I was warned that homeowners/renters insurance was unlikely to cover a theft that was not from my home. After much research, I found a company, Markel, that offered an ebike policy that is just like an automobile policy. The cost was reasonable. I chose a $200 deductible. After the mandatory 30-day wait (to allow for possible recovery of the bike), the claims adjuster approved every penny of my claim, minus the $200. I did supply extensive documentation of the bike and all accessories, along with police reports, etc. The payout was based on the replacement cost (no depreciation), and the adjuster found lowest price for the bike online. He included the shop's shipping cost, along with the charge by my local shop to receive and prep the bike. I frankly was astonished at how smoothly the whole thing went. I don't make a habit of recommending things online, but I consider it service to this community to spread the word about Markel. ETA: Markel is actually the company that Velosurance, mentioned in a pinned comment ^^, uses. I used Velosurance to buy the policy, but once I filed a claim, I was re-directed to Markel and had to resubmit all the documents, files, etc. Not a major problem, but I am going to deal directly with Markel when I get another policy.

 

[DDBB]

This is interesting.. I also use USAA as my primary insurance on autos and the house. When we bought our ebikes I called them and was immediately told our bikes were covered, no problem!.. Seems as though there could be a problem and I don't think saying "but the girl on the phone said I was covered" would suffice if anything happened. I'm going to have to call them back

 

[Over50]

As I posted elsewhere, my Cannondale Contro-e was stolen from a card-access bike corral in a city parking garage ... I found a company, Markel, that offered an ebike policy that is just like an automobile policy..

This is good to hear. I've been insuring with Velosurance which is underwritten by Markel. I found a lot in these forums about insuring with them but hadn't found any information on how they were at actually paying claims. I can rest a bit easier ....

 

[ebikemom]

When we bought our ebikes I called them and was immediately told our bikes were covered, no problem!..

Mine are "covered" too, by my homeowners policy. But "covered" means $500.00 per bike. So ask for what they mean when they say covered, and what the dollar amounts are for each bicycle.

 

[Over50]

This is interesting.. I also use USAA as my primary insurance on autos and the house. When we bought our ebikes I called them and was immediately told our bikes were covered, no problem!.. Seems as though there could be a problem and I don't think saying "but the girl on the phone said I was covered" would suffice if anything happened. I'm going to have to call them back

I've posted all over the forum. I've been told multiple times by USAA that my bikes may/may not be covered via homeowners. First they stuck to the story that they were not covered because they have motors. Then (a year later) they said perhaps covered for theft but that is all. For other reasons I am now with Farm Bureau. The agent looked at Farm Bureau's contract and compared to my Velosurance. He told me to stick with the Velosurance. Homeowners usually won't pay for damage if you crash the bike. Bust up your frame in a crash and you are likely without insurance. A crash scenario for folks who do not lock their bikes in risky areas is probably a greater risk than theft. There are quite a few risks to think about beyond theft (medical, liability, damage due to crash, car crash when your bike is being transported, roadside assistance ...).

 

[DDBB]

I checked velosurance and it's more expensive to insure my ebikes than my 1100cc suzuki crotch rocket. Granted my mtc. is 26 years old and I've never filed a claim for it but still.......

 

[Dewey]

I don't make a habit of recommending things online, but I consider it service to this community to spread the word about Markel.

Thanks for posting your experience with theft replacement, I too have gone with Markel because I wanted a liability policy, I’m skeptical they would not have covered the collision from the cyclist following me who skidded into me when I fell (thankfully he got up and was fine) because of the Park Service trail prohibition on riding ebikes but really I got a liability policy in case I ever have a run in with a car - I’ve read horror stories of cyclists who were hit and then sued by the driver for the cars bodywork repair bill or issued a traffic ticket by a cop while lying in a hospital bed, I commute using a bike cam just in case, wish I could afford the cycliq fly 6 rear camera/light for 360 degree coverage, but not every PD will look at recordings unless you are lucky for an incident to be captured on a traffic camera and you can foia request the recording before they delete it.

 

[ebikemom]

I have a liability policy (non-bike-related) that covers me and family members whatever we are doing, including riding ebikes. We already had this policy, but with ebiking added to our lives, I upped the coverage a bit.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Thanks for the encouragement, I expect they will simply point to the small print of the policy and claim it's not 'unfair' as they were up front about the timeframe clause. There are a few cyclist lawyers in the DC area https://www.waba.org/supporting-attorneys/ though none appear to take my Legal Resources insurance and at least one won't talk to you unless the claim is for >$1,000. I wouldn't want to pay the hourly fees for only a potential $500 payout (10 x $50 co-pay).

Find a lawyer who gives the first consultation. This isn't uncommon. If you have to get a lawyer, it will magically turn into more than $500 because the attorney is going to make sure he gets paid. Or else, if he's honest, he'll tell you straight up that it's not worth the time and expense for either of you. Whichever, I wouldn't make the decision to throw in the towel without professional advice. I've seen settlements turn out well for people -- not millions, but worth it. Also, don't stick to the cyclist lawyers. Find one who makes money off personal injury suits. It's not a bicycle case, it's a personal injury case. And those guys are predisposed to making the first consultation free.

 

[ebikemom]

The first step is to file an appeal.

 

[Dewey]

The EU will be voting on January 22 whether to make liability insurance mandatory for riders in EU countries source: https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/n...sZU7hj-rGZrV5xr45QNaqX_QpxyA3ygL5g-Uf895-slQ4

Update: Good news for European riders, the EU rejected the move Source: https://www.bike-eu.com/laws-regula...ility-insurance-required-for-e-bikes-10135168

 

[Dewey]

Update: Success! Balance’s underwriters accepted my Ortho’s letter explaining I was under their care and could not commence Physical Therapy until after 60 day’s from the date I broke my leg. Balance are sending me a check for $750 that more than covers my co-pays for ten sessions of Physical Therapy! Thank you for offering your encouragement to pursue my claim. I can confirm Balance for Cyclists do pay out for personal injury claims for eligible ebikes (up to 1,200w & 25mph).

 

[ebikefan83]

So the two main bicycle insurance companies, Velosurance and Markel, both will not cover class 3 electric bikes (28mph speed). They limit e-bike coverage to 20mph top speed and 750 watt motor. Just an FYI for folks who want coverage for class 3 e-bikes.

 

[Over50]

So the two main bicycle insurance companies, Velosurance and Markel, both will not cover class 3 electric bikes (28mph speed). They limit e-bike coverage to 20mph top speed and 750 watt motor. Just an FYI for folks who want coverage for class 3 e-bikes.

Huh? Velosurance is underwritten by Markel. I have my Class 3 insured with Velosurance. Nothing was said and my application wasn't rejected when I submitted it (and I was clear about bike specs).

 

[ebikefan83]

Huh? Velosurance is underwritten by Markel. I have my Class 3 insured with Velosurance. Nothing was said and my application wasn't rejected when I submitted it (and I was clear about bike specs).

I just called Markel ten mins ago and spoke to a lady, i believe Rebecca, she said e-bike coverage only for top speed of 20mph. I would encourage others folks to call to make sure i heard right. I am very dissappointed because my class 3 e-bike is now ineligible.