Bicyclists aren’t obliged to have insurance, unlike drivers, but policies that riders may already have can help them recover after a collision.
Should cyclists have to have insurance?
There have been requests in the past for cyclists to get insurance, as well as number plates, but these have failed.
Cyclenation, a federation of local cycling organizations, explains why riders are not required to carry insurance: “In most crashes involving a cyclist and another vehicle, the cyclist is the one who suffers the most damage. It is thus up to people, not the state, to decide whether or not to get insurance.”
Are cyclists liable for damage?
In previous postings, we discussed what drivers should do if they are engaged in a traffic collision with another car. But what are your options if a bike causes damage to your vehicle? It’s a question that’s been asked on a number of online forums by drivers.
Because cyclists are not required to be insured in order to use the road, they are unlikely to be covered for damage to their bicycles, other vehicles, or personal injury. Cyclists, on the other hand, may be insured by another policy, such as their home contents policy. If the accident occurred on their route to or from work, or while they were at work, it’s possible they’ll be covered by their employer’s insurance.
If the cyclist does not have appropriate insurance, it will most likely be easier to file a claim on your own insurance and allow the insurance company to pursue any responsible parties.
Because bikers lack number plates, it may be difficult to identify the rider and bike if they leave after clipping your wing mirror or scraping your paintwork, for example. If the biker does stop, get their contact information or try if you can work out an informal agreement for them to pay for the damage.
If this does not occur, you may have to pay to have your car fixed or file a claim under your own auto insurance policy.
If none of these options for compensation are available, the biker could suit in small claims court, but personal injury experts say that in the vast majority of contested cases, judges favor pedestrians and cyclists, owing to the fact that they are unprotected from injuries in car accidents.
Amateur cyclists are likely to be insured by their home insurance, according to the Guardian, but only if they are cycling enthusiasts rather than professional competitors. More cycling riders are out and about preparing for their next time trial or road race as a result of the success of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy. These persons are urged to seek a racing extension on their insurance or they will not be insured.
Do UK cyclists need insurance?
In the United Kingdom, cyclists are not required to have insurance in order to ride on the roads, but the latest case serves as a timely reminder of what can happen if you cause an accident.
Third-party cycling insurance is relatively inexpensive, costing roughly £30 per year, and is offered from organizations such as Cycling UK, British Cycling, and Wiggle. Membership usually includes coverage for third-party claims as well as other perks.
It’s also worth checking your homeowner’s insurance to see if you have public liability coverage, which pays for legal fees and damages awarded by a court if you’re sued in the event of an accident.
Do cycling clubs need insurance?
Liability insurance protects clubs and club executives against third-party claims in the event of an incident occurring during a club activity.
Do cyclists pay road tax?
Because cyclists emit emissions, they are exempt from paying the Vehicle Excise Duty Tax. Vehicles with ultra-low emissions are exempt from the tax. Bikes that emit no emissions at all are as low as it goes, and hence are exempt from paying VED.
Because the amount people pay is based on vehicle size and emissions, VED might potentially be classified as a “pollution” tax. Despite the occasional irate motorist’s insistence, bicycles should not be required to pay under these conditions.
Despite many initiatives, including one from one of the UK’s leading newspaper groups in 2020, bikers are unlikely to ever have to pay VED. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this specific campaign was run with a shocking lack of fact-checking. The data, without a doubt, favor riders.
What happens if a cyclist hits you?
Both the driver and the rider will be traumatized if they accidentally hit a cyclist.
It makes no difference how it occurred, when it occurred, or where it occurred. After any accident involving a cyclist, all drivers should take a few simple procedures.
- You must come to a safe halt and check on the cyclist. UK drivers are expected to have a basic understanding of first aid because it is a large part of the Theory Test. The next steps you take will be determined by a number of factors, including whether or not the cyclist is still aware. An vital guide on first aid for car accidents can be found here.
- As soon as it is safe to do so, call the cops and an ambulance for the cyclist. The rider may argue that they are completely well, but they could have hit their head or be in shock. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, therefore they should get checked out.
- Maintain control of the situation If the rider is awake, they will most likely be unhappy, if not enraged. You may be annoyed and angry as well. However, losing your cool will help no one and may even make things worse. So keep your cool and attempt to deal with things in a controlled and calm manner.
- Swap details, exactly as you would if you collided with another vehicle. Although cyclists are not required to have insurance, you should obtain their name, address, and phone number.
- Collect evidence. Take photos of any damage to your vehicle and your motorcycle. Take images of any evident injuries the biker has incurred if feasible. Check to see if anyone in the region is willing to act as a witness. Make a note of the date and time of the incident, as well as any weather conditions or other elements that may have played a role.
- Police should be notified of the event. You have a legal obligation to report any road collision to the police. You may have phoned the cops, but you must still file a report if they were unable to attend the scene. Failure to report an accident can result in a penalty of up to 6 points on your license, which could result in your license being revoked if you’ve just passed your test.
Even if you don’t plan to file a claim, you must notify your insurer as quickly as possible. Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurers whenever you are involved in an accident of any kind. If you neglect to notify your insurer, your coverage may be voided.
Your insurer’s response may differ, but the most likely answer is yes. If the collision is determined to be the cyclist’s fault, the premium increase may not be as significant, or you may see no increase at all; nevertheless, if the claim is settled in the cyclist’s favor, premiums will almost surely rise.
If you cause an accident, it means you aren’t the safest driver. Your insurers will perceive you as a higher-risk customer, and your premiums will reflect this.
You must, however, inform your insurance. Don’t be tempted to withhold any information from your insurance company.
Will the cyclist’s insurance cover the damage to your automobile if the impact caused it?
It’s quite improbable that the biker will have an insurance coverage in place to cover any damage he or she may cause. A cyclist’s personal liability coverage may be included in certain home insurance policies, although it is not required by law.
It’s possible the cyclist will file a lawsuit against you. This is why having comprehensive automobile insurance with legal coverage is so important. This will pay legal fees and expenditures incurred as a result of claims and disputes. For more information, go here.
Who is at fault when a cyclist hits a car?
Riding on the road may be dangerous, and we’ve all had our share of close calls with other motorists. However, we, the cyclists, might occasionally be held responsible and even sued as a result of an accident.
Negligence
Accidents and property damage are frequently caused by human error. It could be due to the driver’s, rider’s, local council’s and road maintenance office’s negligence, or even the automobile or bike manufacturers’ negligence. Here, we’ll concentrate on cyclist-on-car collisions.
Finally, make sure that you were not cycling in a way that could be considered irresponsible in the event of an accident. Skipping a red light, riding against traffic, failing to yield, or even cycling in the dark without lights are all examples of this. Refamiliarize yourself with the Highway Code, including our list of the 10 rules of the Highway Code you should be aware of, for a refresher on what’s legal and what’s not as a cyclist traveling on the road.
The event
Even if the cyclist is at fault, a car is a large metal box, and the rider will almost always be the loser in any collision or accident involving a motorist and a cyclist. As a result, medical help should always be sought first. Crashes are terrifying events that cause a great deal of shock for everyone involved. This might lead to a variety of behavioral changes, such as anger or quiet, so it’s crucial to stay cool and avoid getting sucked into any potential confrontations.
If you are involved in a car accident that results in injury or property damage, you should pull over to the side of the road and exchange insurance information. Stay cool, talk through what you’re doing, and make sure to get critical information like the location of the event, names, and email addresses, before exchanging stuff like the car’s license plate, your bike’s serial number, and the names and email addresses of any other witnesses to the collision. In the event of an accident report, these information are crucial proof for both the insurance company and the police. You should not discuss who is at fault or who is liable with the other party.
Third-party liability insurance
Before you buy your policy, you can add our third-party liability coverage. It protects you from damage to people or property if you are the one who caused the damage. We provide our customers with the option of up to one million pounds in liability coverage as part of our plans. It’s a common misconception that simply belonging to British Cycling or CyclingUK entitles you to third-party liability insurance. This is not the case. The debate over whether cyclists require third-party liability insurance is an age-old one, but we’ve simplified it for you in our article Do Cyclists Need Third-Party Liability Insurance?
Cyclist’s Legal Protection
The legal protection of cyclists is another vital aspect to include in our plans. If you commute or compete on your bike, where the danger factor is slightly larger than everyday cycling, we strongly advise you to read this section. Its purpose is to protect you and your motorcycle in the event of an accident. We’ll cover the fees and costs that we agreed to under the policy, as well as any penalties related to the claimant’s costs and expenses. However, any compensation or penalties that are granted to you will not be covered.
Share the road
Drivers and bikers must share the road in order to avoid collisions. It’s inconvenient to be stopped behind a cyclist, but keep in mind that cyclists have the same rights as vehicles. Pass only when it is safe to do so, slow down, and provide plenty of room for bikers.
Look twice before opening your door
You could accidentally strike a cyclist traveling in the bike lane if you fling your door open without looking. Because cyclists have no way of knowing when a car door may open in front of them, it’s very vital to look around before exiting your vehicle.
Know what to do if you hit a cyclist with your car
If you strike a bicycle by mistake, come to a complete stop and check for injuries. Call an ambulance if required. If the collision was small, move your car out of the way of oncoming traffic and notify the cops. Take notes and photos of any damage, as well as the names and contact information of anybody who was involved in or observed the accident. You should also contact your insurance provider right away. And, no matter how tempting it is to apologize at the scene, never acknowledge fault.
Make sure you have the right coverage for bicycle accidents
Your auto insurance policy includes a variety of coverages, including bodily injury liability, which covers damage caused by you, the driver, to others. This will shield you from having to pay someone’s medical bills out of pocket if you’re found at fault in an accident in which they were hurt.
While bodily injury liability coverage is included in most basic motor plans, the Insurance Information Institute advises purchasing more than the state’s minimal requirement. You could be sued for a big sum of money if you’re involved in a bad accident.
It’s also a good idea to consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy, which gives additional liability coverage beyond what your auto, homes, and watercraft policies cover. It kicks in once your policy’s limitations have been exceeded, saving you from losing everything in a lawsuit.
Is cycling UK membership worth it?
Yes, it’s worth it for the part you’ll never use. You can also earn discounts at a variety of stores, so the membership can pay for itself even if you never use the insurance.