{"id":5075,"date":"2018-06-08T14:29:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T20:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/?p=5075"},"modified":"2021-08-18T11:29:39","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T17:29:39","slug":"the-most-important-insurance-for-maine-cyclists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/the-most-important-insurance-for-maine-cyclists\/","title":{"rendered":"Insurance for Cyclists in Maine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you know me, you know that I like to bike year-round. Not every day, but most. I&#8217;m not alone. Two of our current staff of 10 regularly bikes to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bike-commuters-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"bike commuter insurance guys\" class=\"wp-image-5077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bike-commuters-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bike-commuters-768x561.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bike-commuters-1024x748.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/bike-commuters.jpg 1336w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re lucky to live and work in the Portland area. Maine is <a href=\"https:\/\/bikeleague.org\/bfa\/awards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ranked #20 most bike-friendly state by the League of American Bicyclists<\/a>. The Portland Maine Bicycle Commuting Facebook group has more than 650 members (including me).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bike commuting insurance agent, it&#8217;s about time I wrote to explain how common insurance policies can protect cyclists, and suggest the best insurance coverage for Maine cyclists. The good news: many cyclists already have the basic coverage; they may just need to adjust their policies to get the best protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Car Insurance for Bicycles?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most cyclists are also drivers, so they have car insurance. They&#8217;re probably unaware that their auto policy protects them when they&#8217;re cycling.&nbsp; One part, <strong>Uninsured Motorist Coverage<\/strong>, is especially critical when you&#8217;re riding your bike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you against injury<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>caused by an accident that\u2019s someone else\u2019s fault<\/li><li>if that person had no insurance or insufficient insurance<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>UM coverage can pay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>hospital and medical care<\/li><li>prescriptions and therapy<\/li><li>lost wages<\/li><li>pain &amp; suffering<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>UM covers the difference between the limit you purchased and what the responsible party bought. An example: someone with Maine state minimum limits ($50,000 per person) hits you. Your medical bills, lost wages and pain &amp; suffering total $100,000. Your UM policy will pay $50,000 <strong>if you purchased at least $100,000 of coverage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Buy as much UM coverage as you can<\/strong>. For most Maine auto policies that\u2019s $500,000.<\/li><li>Some <strong>umbrella policies<\/strong> allow you to include UM up to an additional $1 million.<\/li><li>Even if you don\u2019t own a car, you can buy a <strong>\u201cnamed non-owner\u201d<\/strong> policy, including UM coverage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Home, Condo or Renters Insurance for Bicycles?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common Maine property insurance policies cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Your bike and accessories against 16 \u201cnamed perils\u201d, including theft and vehicle damage.<\/li><li>Injuries or Property damage you cause to others while cycling<\/li><li>Legal defense against lawsuits for injuries or property damage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They do NOT cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Collisions or dumping<\/li><li>Road damage such as potholes<\/li><li>Falling off a vehicle rack, driving into the garage with the bike on the roof rack, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Buy \u201creplacement cost\u201d<\/strong> coverage to avoid depreciation.<\/li><li><strong>Buy &#8220;open perils&#8221;<\/strong> (sometimes called HO-5) homeowners coverage. This greatly expands the 16 named perils described above.<\/li><li><strong>Your deductible will apply.<\/strong> Keep the value of your bike in mind when you choose deductibles.<\/li><li>Some insurance companies allow you to <strong>\u201cschedule\u201d your bike<\/strong>, which provides better (&#8220;open perils&#8221;) coverage, often at no deductible.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Related Post: <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/ho-5-vs-ho-3-homeowners-policies-whats-the-difference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HO-5 vs. HO-3 Homeowners Policies. What&#8217;s the Difference?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BEWARE: <\/strong><strong style=\"color: revert; font-size: revert;\">E-Bike, <\/strong><strong style=\"color: revert; font-size: revert;\">Scooter, Moped Insurance is Tricky!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scooters, mopeds and similar self-propelled vehicles are considered &#8220;motor vehicles&#8221; by insurance policies. They should be insured on an auto or motorcycle policy. Maine State Law requires proof of auto insurance to register them. The insurance isn&#8217;t very expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E-bikes are unique. They\u2019re not considered to be \u201cmotor vehicles\u201d by most auto insurance. But they ARE defined as motor vehicles on most homeowners policies, and thus <strong>EXCLUDED<\/strong>. <strong>That means no property OR liability coverage for e-bikes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few specialty e-bike insurance programs exist. For now, we recommend that you buy coverage from them to protect yourself against liability, theft and more. If you do purchase special insurance for your e-bike, pay particular attention to your Uninsured Motorist coverage. As of 2019, Noyes Hall &amp; Allen sells a product that can provide up to $500,000 liability and UM coverage for e-bike owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">FMI: <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bikelaw.com\/2019\/07\/electric-bikes-and-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Electric Bikes and Insurance<\/a> &#8211; from Bike Law Maine<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re a cyclist in Maine, and have questions about insuring yourself or your bike, call Noyes Hall &amp; Allen at 207-799-5541. We understand cyclists and insurance. We&#8217;d be happy to help you protect yourself better. We offer a choice of Maine&#8217;s top insurance companies, and know how to advocate for our clients. We&#8217;re independent and committed to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bikeleague.org\/sites\/default\/files\/BFS2017_ReportCard_Maine.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maine&#8217;s data card<\/a> from League of American Cyclists (.pdf)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bikemaine.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bicycle Coalition of Maine website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/PortlandBikeCommuting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Portland Maine Bicycle Commuting Facebook Group<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cyclists: If you&#8217;re injured while riding, or found liable for an accident while cycling, you&#8217;ll be glad you made these insurance 7 policy adjustments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5,12,3,13,15],"tags":[67,82,51,50,7,70],"class_list":["post-5075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-auto-insurance","category-car-insurance","category-condo-insurance","category-home-insurance","category-homeowners-insurance","category-renters-insurance","tag-auto-insurance","tag-bikes","tag-condos","tag-home-insurance","tag-living-in-maine","tag-renters-insurance"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5075"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6207,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5075\/revisions\/6207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}