Whether you’re installing a roof box for a family vacation or modifying the design of your car, you must notify your insurance of any changes that could affect your coverage. If you proceed without first consulting your insurance company, your coverage may be voided.
Does car insurance cover a bike rack?
Having a bike rack on your vehicle might open up a lot of possibilities. You can now go on your next journey with your bike. But what if the rack is damaged as a result of an accident? What about the damage to your bike that occurred as a result of the accident? If you have auto insurance, the chances are that it will cover your losses in these situations. However, there are a few considerations to make in this area.
What You Need to Know About Your Car Insurance
Bike racks are frequently mounted to the rear of a vehicle or to the vehicle’s roof. They transport bicycles to and from sites, but they are usually fastened in some way to the truck. If you are involved in an accident and your bike rack is destroyed or stolen, your automobile insurance would most likely cover the claim. In these cases, you can file a claim under your personal property auto insurance policy for the bike that was stolen or the bike rack that was damaged. You will most likely receive replacement cost value for the lost item, allowing you to replace the bike or rack. If you have a real cash value insurance, on the other hand, the policy will only pay for the bike’s current worth at the time of loss, which could be much less.
If you are in an accident and your motorcycle is damaged, the type of auto insurance you have will affect your coverage.
- If you caused the accident and collided with something or someone, your collision insurance will cover you.
- If your bike was damaged by someone else, their liability insurance will pay your damages.
- If the damage is to the bike rack rather than the bike, it’s possible that your property insurance will cover the loss under comprehensive coverage.
As a first step, talk to your car insurance company about adding a bike rack to your vehicle. This will give you an idea of what to expect if you do decide to file a claim under this policy.
Is it OK to leave a roof rack on a car?
Unless you live in a snowy climate, there isn’t much to be concerned about if you have a good rack. If you don’t wash it often, the road salt and trash can cause problems. When I take it off for whatever reason, I hardly never store it inside and leave it on all year.
Do roof racks damage cars?
When it comes to traveling with a roof rack, the men at Mick’s Garage are experts. For almost a decade, they’ve been selling and installing roof racks on clients’ vehicles. During that period, they’ve amassed a plethora of expertise and information in relation to the most typical problems you may encounter. When it comes to installing and operating a roof rack, there are some frequent challenges and blunders that individuals make.
MicksGarage has compiled a list of the Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts to ensure that this does not happen to you.
- “We chaps, on the whole, don’t read directions, and to be honest, most of us get away with it 95% of the time!” Before you take a single bolt out of the box to install a roof rack on your car, make sure you read all of the directions thoroughly. In the long term, they will assist you in doing the task more quickly, easily, and safely. A second pair of hands is a huge help, even if it isn’t absolutely necessary. Remember that your car is worth a lot more than the roof racks you just bought, so don’t ruin it by failing to follow the directions!”
2. “Pay attention to the torque settings in particular” (if mentioned). A properly installed and used roof rack will provide years of trouble-free service while also preventing damage to your vehicle. A roof rack that is overtorqued, undertorqued, poorly fitted, or overloaded can cause harm to your vehicle. If you’re not sure how to properly install a roof rack, watch this MicksGarage video for some pointers.”
3. “If your roof rack is left on your car, it will be exposed to the elements, and the fittings may rust over time.” To combat this, a dab of copper lubricant on the threads of the mounting bolts will help prevent corrosion and make subsequent removal much easier.”
4. “The maximum weight that can be carried on the top of your automobile will be listed in the owner’s manual.” We frequently find that the car’s weight limit is lower than the roof bars’, so double-check and never exceed the lesser of the two.”
“Loading a roof rack with large, bulky objects can be challenging.” Things tend to get damaged when you’re struggling and straining, so rather than damaging your lovely paintwork with that 12-foot canoe you’re attempting to manhandle on your own, find someone to help you.”
6. “You’d be shocked at how many calls we get from customers who’ve simply driven their car into a multi-story car park (or their own garage), forgotten they had the roof rack, roof box, or bike racks installed, and ripped everything off!” It’s more of a problem with larger MPVs and 4x4s, but it’s still conceivable in family saloons, so keep that extra height in mind!”
7. “At MicksGarage, we only sell roof racks with security locks – make sure to use them at all times, especially if you’re transporting expensive bikes or kayaks.” Keeping your roof rack keys on your car key ring is also a good idea. Every year, we receive hundreds of calls from people looking for replacement keys!”
8. “Canoes, kayaks, and surfboards must be secured to the front and back of the vehicle, not simply the roof rack.” If your vehicle has towing eyes or a tow bar, you can use them. When traveling at high speeds, these products can generate massive amounts of aerodynamic lift, and if not correctly secured, they can rip any brand of roof rack right off your car. Strong gusts (and it’s typically very windy when surfers/wind surfers are heading out) can apply forces greater than the roof rack is certified for and cause damage, even if you’re not traveling swiftly, so this is a critical issue.”
9. “Some roof rack accessories, such roof boxes, include a maximum speed warning that should not be exceeded. Aerodynamic drag increases with speed, thus going faster than the speed limit could put too much force on the accessory or roof rack.” Despite the use of lightweight materials and aerodynamic shapes, a roof rack will still add weight and drag to your vehicle. Even though it is a small amount, it will have a detrimental impact on your fuel economy. Take it off if you’re not using it!
“Finally, keep clear from the baboons if you’re planning a vacation to the safari park with a roof box attached to your rack!” Alternatively, just make sure it’s locked.”
Does a roof rack count as a modification?
A roof rack is considered a vehicle modification, and installing one, like any other modification, may influence your eligibility for auto insurance coverage or change the type of coverage you require. Always notify your insurance broker before making any changes to your car, no matter how modest they appear to be.
Does a bike rack damage your car?
Because this form of rack is always in contact with your vehicle, it can scratch it.
Foam pads are commonly used to sit on top of trunk-mounted bike racks. Over time, these foam pads rub against the paint, causing scratches, especially if the bike rack is not properly attached.
If the foam pads are placed on a dirty surface, they will damage your car more quickly than if they are placed on a clean surface.
Furthermore, the straps that are linked to the car can scratch the paint. If the straps are not entirely fastened or if there is excess strap flying around in the wind, this is more likely to happen.
If the bikes are not properly secured, a trunk-mounted bike rack can cause damage to your vehicle. If your bike’s front wheel moves, it can easily scrape against the paint while you’re driving. Over time, this will almost certainly result in scratches and paint fading.
To avoid scratching and denting your car, use caution when installing a trunk-mounted bike rack. During installation, if a hook is pulled against the paint, it may leave an unsightly scratch.
Hitch Racks
Although hitch-mounted bike racks are safer than trunk-mounted racks, they do have some drawbacks.
Although the rack is not in direct touch with the vehicle, if the bike is not properly secured, it may collide with it. If the bike sways or the wheel twists, it could collide with the car, resulting in damage.
When reversing or driving in general, you should exercise caution. If you hit something while driving in reverse with a hitch-mounted bike rack attached, the rack may be pushed into the back of your car or your hitch may be damaged, depending on the severity of the impact.
Roof Racks
Roof-mounted bike racks provide similar risks to hitch-mounted bike racks, with a few exceptions.
Instead of causing damage to the rear of your automobile, you could cause harm to the roof. It’s crucial to know how much clearance your car has with bikes connected. The bikes can be wrenched off the rack or slammed against your car if you fail to pass a low bridge, drive through, or garage.
How many bikes can be on a roof rack?
The first, and perhaps most popular, alternative is to use a roof-mounted bike carrier. To safely transport four bicycles on the roof of your vehicle, you’ll first need a good roof rack system. Simply put, a roof rack is a crossbar that fits across your vehicle’s roof. Roof bars aren’t just for bike carriers; they can also accommodate a Roof Box, Ski Carriers, Water Sports Carrier, or Roof Basket.
Almost all modern vehicles can hold up to four bikes on top of the roof (sometimes more); if you want to double-check, visit our Roof Mounted Bike Carrier Guide to see how many Thule Bike Carriers can be installed on your vehicle.
Can you go through a carwash with a roof rack on?
No! When you wash your automobile, remove the rack since it may snag on some of the car wash’s gear, causing damage to your car or, worse, the car wash. Cleaning your car with a wand may blow dirt below the pads of your rack system, causing damage to the vehicle’s finish.