Bikes and insurance: for your ride to go smoothly!
More and more people are biking in Quebec, whether to get some fresh air out in the country or just to get around town. Either way, you need to have some basic knowledge to make sure you’re protected if you end up in an accident. Here’s what you need to know.
Just like pedestrians and motorists, cyclists are required to follow the Highway Safety Code when they’re on the road in Quebec. Riding where you’re supposed to, following signs and signals, and yielding as needed can make all the difference. When you’re riding your bike, don’t take any chances: keep your full attention on the road and wear a helmet.
Baby on board? Make sure you’ve taken the appropriate safety measures.
What if you get hurt in a cycling accident?
The rules are the same for regular or electric bike accidents everywhere in Quebec: bodily injuries will be covered by the SAAQ only if a motorist is involved. You’ll usually receive compensation from the SAAQ, regardless of whether you are responsible for the accident.
If you are able to do so, ask the police officers to write up an accident report or fill out a joint report with the driver involved. Write down the driver’s name, phone number, email address, licence number, and licence plate number, as well as contact information for any witnesses. You must have all the information required to identify the other party when you file your claim(s).
Make sure you see a doctor immediately, ideally within the next few hours. You will need to provide a proof of accident when you file your claim with the SAAQ.
However, if you hit a parked vehicle (without a driver in it), you cannot be compensated by the SAAQ since it won’t be considered a traffic accident. The same goes if you hit another cyclist or an electric scooter, or if you lose control of your bike (regular or electric) due to road debris. In those instances, your personal accident insurance will cover your injuries, if you have it, and the cost of an ambulance, for example.
Taking your bike on vacation?
Travel insurance with emergency medical coverage is the best option for bodily injuries sustained in a bike accident outside Quebec or in another country.
Is my bike covered if it gets damaged in an accident?
You’re in a bike accident. You’re not hurt, but your bike frame is damaged. Who pays for the repairs? Most of the time you’ll have to pay, because damage caused to a bike through use is excluded from home insurance policies. But collision with another vehicle would be covered by an all-risk home insurance policy. You’ll probably have to pay a deductible. Insurers may also limit the amount you can claim for your bike. Find out what that limit is. Often it’s around $3,000, which can be way short of the mark for repairing or replacing an electric bike.
What if your bike is damaged in an accident while you’re carrying it in your vehicle or on a bike rack? The damage caused to your bike in this type of accident, as in a collision with a car or another bike, is generally covered by your home insurance.
The other person is injured in the accident—can they claim money from you?
You’re involved in a bike accident with a pedestrian or another cyclist. That person could demand compensation for bodily or material injury, but only if they can prove you were at fault. If that happens, you’ll be covered by the civil liability portion of your home insurance policy. The same goes if you damage a parked car when you’re out riding.
What if I use an e-bike but I don’t have home insurance so I’m not covered for liability? That’s a big risk, and unfortunately 37% of renters are in that situation.
How about insurance for bikes that are stolen or damaged by fire?
Bike theft is not uncommon, so the right insurance is a must! If your bike is nabbed the theft will be covered by your home insurance.
Items used with your bike, such as child seats and trailers, will also be covered by your home insurance, no matter where you are in the world. However, your policy does have a coverage limit that varies by insurer, and that limit might not be enough for a high-end or electric bike.
To ensure you have coverage that corresponds to the value of your bike, contact your insurer to make any necessary adjustments or switch to a special policy for your bike (often required for e-bikes). Once you’re properly insured, you can ride worry-free!
Worth knowing: Before submitting a claim for damage to your electric or regular bike (or a total loss), consider how much the bike and its accessories (or the repairs it needs) are worth compared with the deductible you need to pay and how the claim will affect your premium. Your insurance agent can help!
Are you a CAA-Quebec member? If you run into an issue when out on a ride, make it easy on yourself and call Bike Assist. A tow truck will carry you—and your bike—to safety.