[snowbird]

Here's the thing....A man I met in the campground was struck by a car while walking. He said the person who hit him barely had enough insurance to cover the medical bills. As far as any "pain & suffering" or "loss of quality of life" he was just screwed. He walks with the aid of a walker now.

Here's my situation. I have to work. Even a broken bone would be a disaster for my 'lil business.
A couple of days ago I came upon a bicyclist who had been hit by a car in a crosswalk. It gave him an extra "joint" between his knee and ankle. If it'd been me, I'd be a member of the "screwed" group.

What's the best way to protect myself? Insure myself? What kind of policy? What company?
I know there are advocacy groups motorcyclist can join. Are there similar groups for bicyclists?
Are there ways to protect myself for "all perils" like biking, motorcycling, kayaking, or even crossing the street?

I'm really in the dark about this. So far I've been just risking it, but after seeing that guy's leg, I'm nervous.

[Industry_Hack]

Do you own a car?

[funetical]

I'm in the same boat you are and it sucks. I think Brian is referencing how your auto insurance policy might cover personnel injury claim but I'm not sure. Mine does not. Are you self employed?

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by funetical

I'm in the same boat you are and it sucks. I think Brian is referencing how your auto insurance policy might cover personnel injury claim but I'm not sure. Mine does not. Are you self employed?

Your auto policy doesn't cover you if you're injured? That doesn't make sense.

[snowbird]

My car plilcy has a little bit of medical coverage if I'm injured in my own car and there is no coverage from another party. It sucks.

I'm thinking I need some sort of umbrella policy. I'm self employed, but don't really have any kind of insurance if something happens to me and my business suffers because of it.

[Industry_Hack]

Your auto policy should cover you whether you are in your car or on a bike.

[funetical]

Originally Posted by Industry_Hack

Your auto policy doesn't cover you if you're injured? That doesn't make sense.

Welcome to Texas Liability insurance. I pay $600 a year to cover only what damages I cause, not what is done to me, or any sort of injury. After that the premiums jump substantially. I didn't carry theft insurance so I didn't report a theft a few years back but like an idiot I called the cops to file a report. When I went to have my rates adjusted as I am now 26 they told me no due to my lack of reporting something they don't cover. A year later I was side swiped by a dude in a truck making an illegal u turn and did my policy cover it? Hell no it didn't. What's the point you ask? If you don't maintain base liability insurance the state of Texas fines you 4 separate times for three years. Once at the local level then you have to pay $248 a year for three years which you do not have an option of paying all at once. If you fail to make this payment they issue a warrant for your arrest. 14% of Texas adults with a warrant issued for there arrest are due to missing there second payment. It's extortion. I was going to sue the state but every one who has tried has failed.

[Industry_Hack]

Ouch. And in California, your UMBI coverage is considered a secondary form of the lottery.

[hophead]

Originally Posted by snowbird

What's the best way to protect myself? Insure myself? What kind of policy? What company?
I know there are advocacy groups motorcyclist can join. Are there similar groups for bicyclists?
Are there ways to protect myself for "all perils" like biking, motorcycling, kayaking, or even crossing the street?

I'm really in the dark about this. So far I've been just risking it, but after seeing that guy's leg, I'm nervous.

Do you have health insurance? If so, it should cover you if you are injured by a motorist or in any other way.

[funetical]

Originally Posted by hophead

Do you have health insurance? If so, it should cover you if you are injured by a motorist or in any other way.

Unless getting hit by a car is a preexisting condition then your S.O.L.