Electric Bikes are getting more popular by the year, with many choosing to switch over for commuting and pleasure. The higher cost and speed of E-Bikes introduces a couple of problems when it comes to accidents and theft. Let us help you out!
Do You Need Insurance For Electric Bikes?
In most places in the USA, you do not need insurance to ride an Electric Bike. We have a few different guides per state but New York, Florida, Colorado, and Texas all don’t legally require you to be insured to ride an E-Bike.
This goes for most states that follow the current recommend Electric Bike law recommendations. There are some areas that are exceptions. For example, in Washington DC if you have a Class 3 Electric Bike, it’s technically a moped – meaning you’d need the appropriate “M” endorsement and insurance.
In the vast majority of areas in the US you can ride an E-Bike of most classes without insurance of any kind. Insurance is actually a great idea for E-Bikes because of the increased risk of larger accidents and higher cost if it gets stolen. So…
Can You Insure An Electric Bike?
Yes, although you don’t need to in many places – you can still insure your Electric Bike. You could get standard insurance against theft, fire, e.t.c. However, you can also get personal insurance for an Electric Bike in the case of an accident – much like you would a car.
Be very careful about the class of your Electric Bike and the motor wattage. Most providers only cover up to 750W motors, and some only cover Class 1 and 2, or E-Bikes only with pedal assist or throttle.
As with all insurance, you really need to check the exact details of what is covered and what isn’t before you buy. Electric Bikes are no exception and because they are so new, can be fairly tricky to insure properly.
Should You Get Electric Bike Insurance?
Yes, absolutely. Bike theft is huge and Electric Bikes are prime targets, even with big locks and being kept indoors it’s still a big issue. Don’t regret not getting it.
What Does Electric Bike Insurance Cover?
Electric Bike insurance can cover a wide range of different things you might need to be paid out for. As well as the standard theft, you can also get personal liability insurance like with cars or motorbikes.
What Electric Bike Insurance Can Cover: –
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Lock replacement
- Helmets, accessories (pannier racks, phone holders e.t.c.), spare parts, and even riding apparel like jerseys and padded shorts
- Accidental damage
- Crashes – Covering you if you are found to have caused an accident aka personal liability insurance
- Collisions and accidents – If you’re bike is damaged, or if you need medical help
- Medical coverage – Paying medical bills and/or compensation for injuries and hospital stays
- Physical therapy, traumatic bike injury, paralysis, loss of limbs
- Death payouts to family
- Loss in transit – When transporting your bike on your car, on a place e.t.c
- Roadside assistance – Quick fix or transport to a bike repair shop or to your home
- Racing – Some reimburse if you can’t enter a competition you’ve paid for, or cover bike hire
- Uninsured motorists – Payouts even when your insurance company can’t get money when someone is uninsured
Should You Wear An Electric Bike On A Helmet?
Yes. We repeat this so often because Electric Bikes are much faster than standard bicycles and much heavier. That means increased acceleration, less stopping time, and more mass and velocity in the case of a crash.
In fact, some E-Bike insurance providers don’t pay out or reduce your payouts when you aren’t wearing a helmet. Do yourself a favor and look at the Best Electric Bike Helmets, all certified to the NTA776 E-Bike standard.
Electric Bike Insurance Providers
Here are some E-Bike and bicycle insurance specialists. You can also check with your current provider for quotes.
- Velosurance covers Electric Bikes for theft, crash, or accidental damage around the world. You can also get personal liability protection and medical coverage if you are in or cause an accident.
- Spoke cover Electric Bikes for theft, crash, or accidental damage. That includes spare parts and accessories and riding apparel. They also offer personal liability protection and medical coverage if you are in or cause an accident, as well as in the case of an uninsured driver. You can also get roadside assistance!
- Simple Bike Insurance covers Electric Bikes for theft, crash, or accidental damage. That includes spare parts and accessories and riding apparel. They also offer personal liability protection and medical coverage if you are in or cause an accident, as well as in the case of an uninsured driver. You can also get racing coverage.
- Ride With Balance cover Electric Bikes for theft, crash, or accidental damage. That includes spare parts and accessories and riding apparel. They also offer personal liability protection and medical coverage if you are in or cause an accident, as well as in the case of an uninsured driver. They also insure for traumatic brain injuries and pay out for hospitalization and ambulances.
How Much Does Electric Bike Insurance Cost?
Some of the providers above can insure your Electric Bike for as little as $5 a month. $10-15 a month is more realistic to cover everything we’ve noted, and will probably give you better peace of mind.
Related articles
– Do You Have To Wear A Helmet On An Electric Bike?
– Can You Get A DUI On An Electric Bike?
– E-Bike Laws By US State
– Best Electric Bike Locks
Does House Insurance Cover Electric Bikes?
Some homeowners insurance or house insurance covers personal possessions, including bicycles and E-Bikes. However, you need to check the small print. Some insurance only covers up to certain values, or only over certain costs.
You might find there are exemptions for bicycles or E-Bikes specifically. You may also need to register the bike with local organizations or police forces that catalog bikes in the case of theft.
For example, in the UK there is an organization called BikeRegister which permanently marks bikes with chemical etching and a unique number. Then the bike is entered into a register and can be recovered if found. There is also a national police database for bikes that is free.
You may also be required to keep the bike in a certain place, used a certain type of lock, and make a note of the details of the bike as well as keep an original receipt of payment. Some insurance even covers possessions and bikes outside of the home!
There may also be an upper limit and a deductible for the first x amount of dollars. That means even if you paid $3,000 for your E-Bike, with a $1,000 deductible and an upper limit of $2,000, you’d only get $1,000 if it was stolen.