I was listening to a radio talk show and a question came up regarding insurance for bicycle riders. Is there any requirement for bicycle riders to have insurance? What would happen if I hit a car while riding my bike?
We are not aware of any statute or rule that requires someone riding a bicycle to have insurance. If you were responsible for damaging someone's car while riding your bike and you're looking for insurance coverage to pay for the damage, you would have to have personal liability insurance. Personal liability insurance is included with homeowners and renters policies.
Most people think of their homeowners or renters policy in terms of the property coverage. If you have fire damage to your house or your property is stolen, for example, your homeowners policy will pay to repair or replace the damaged property. But what happens if someone gets hurt on your property, or your dog bites someone, or you hit a car while riding a bike? That's when personal liability coverage comes into play. Your insurance company will investigate the circumstances, determine responsibility, and provide a defense in the event of a lawsuit.
There are differences in policy language from company to company, and there are some situations that are not covered, so we suggest reviewing your policy with your agent or customer service representative.
