What to do if you’re a cyclist hit by an uninsured driver

On Behalf of | Apr 11, 2018 | bicycle accidents

Many people do not realize their auto insurance typically extends to any incidents that occur on a bike, too. For example, you may prefer riding your bike to work every day, and you should rest easy by acquiring a comprehensive auto insurance policy that covers any accidents on your bike. This way if you ever end up in an incident where you are hit by a vehicle on your bike, the claims process becomes much simpler. 

Car-bicycle collisions are extremely common in Colorado, and if you end up being a victim of such a crash, then you want to make sure any injuries have coverage. This is especially true if the motorist lacks any insurance whatsoever. Your own policy should help, but you want to follow these steps in the immediate aftermath. 

Talk with your insurance agent and be ready to fight

Most insurance companies are there to help you get through a difficult time. However, you still need to be aware that these are for-profit organizations. An agency may use any excuse available to get out of paying, and if your accident occurred while you were on a bike, then the company may use that to not pay out as much. 

Always push back in these instances. Let the agent know what kind of coverage you have. If you know for a fact you have comprehensive coverage that includes accidents on bicycles, then bring that to the agent’s attention. 

Max out the policy before an accident occurs

Cyclists are much more likely to experience significant injuries than motorists inside a car. Therefore, you want to max out the policy so that you could potentially receive tens of thousands of dollars in compensation from a bicycle accident. Speak with your insurance agent now about doing this. You may have to pay more on a monthly basis, but it will pay off if you have extensive medical bills following a collision.