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Q & A - Know Your Rights

Q:
As a cyclist, is there anything I can do to protect myself financially in case I am in an accident while on my bike?

A:
It is not clear to me whether you are talking about circumstances where an accident would be your fault or the fault of another party. I will attempt to briefly address both issues.

Homeowner or Renter Insurance
If you cause an accident while on your bicycle that results in bodily injury or property damage to another party, your homeowner or renter insurance likely will have a liability coverage that provides you with a defense and indemnify you up to the policy limit for those damages. Most people think o fthis coverage for fire loss or theft. However, it is important to know that the liability coverage that typically is part of these policies will protect you in the event that you negligently cause injury or damages to another while on your bicycle.

Health Insurance
Because Colorado's auto insurance is now a "tort-based" system rather than a "no fault" system, it is important for you to carry health insurance for medical and rehabilitation expenses associated with any injury you sustain in a bike accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Many motorists carry no liability insurance. There also are significant numbers of motorists who carry only the $25,000 minimum required in Colorado. To protect yourself, carrry high limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage on you own car insurance. I also encourage you increasing your UM limits to at least $100,000 and possibly even higher, depending on your personal and financial circumstances. Generally, the costs to increase UM insurance coverage are not very expensive.

With UM coverage, you can be sure of having a source of recovery for any medical expenses, loss of income, disability, or other injuries and damages sustained in a bike accident caused by a motorist who carries little or no liability insurance.   

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