[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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[snowbird]

I don't have health insurance, I go to the Veterans Administration. I have my business (OK it's just me) insured, the equipment, the truck, have a policy for the car, house etc. Some of them have a piddling amount of medical insurance, but I don't really need that.
I'm pretty well covered except for the one key component, me! If I'm incapacitated by some fool opening a car door in front of my bike, it's going to seriously hamper my ability to earn money.
I'm ignorant when it comes to buying insurance. Just looking for some direction before talking to an agent. Or maybe I should talk to a lawyer. I dunno.
It's help writing about it here, so thanks for indulging me by reading and responding.

 

[Industry_Hack]

As a sole proprietor, you're looking for disability insurance. If you are unable to work for any reason, (car accident or not) you want have some insurance to cover you. Check with several insurance agents to see what's available.

Sounds like you have some coverage for actual injuries you might sustain, but that's not really your big concern, is it?

 

[snowbird]

Yup, that's about it. thanks.

 

[snowbird]

Holy cow! I just read an article in a motorcycle magazine that says in Florida insurers can deny coverage for certain recreational activities that include skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and motorcycle riding. Reguardless of who was at fault! It's just included in the fine print, so people who thought they were covered weren't.

 

[funetical]

Holy cow! I just read an article in a motorcycle magazine that says in Florida insurers can deny coverage for certain recreational activities that include skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and motorcycle riding. Reguardless of who was at fault! It's just included in the fine print, so people who thought they were covered weren't.

If we all stopped paying our bills, I'm sure they would rethink there strategy and coverage policies.

 

[TxCyclist]

Might look into what options the NASA offers (National Association for the Self Employed)

 

[goldentouch]

I have a disibality clause and I also picked up an AFFLAC accident and hospital policy that pays extra if injured.

 

[snowbird]

Thanks Dean, I looked at the NASE website and they offer health insurance.

I think I'll need what goldentouch mentioned. A rider on an existing policy and some supplemental insurance. Thanks goldenrod.

 

[greenhorn]

Medical coverage while riding a bike is a little tricky because every state or country will have it's own laws. Here in PA your auto insurance HAS to include medical coverage for at least $5,000. This can be raised to as high as $100,000 and is not that expensive.
It doesn't matter what company you carry your auto insurance with, they have to include the medical coverage. This coverage covers any medical bills, up to your limit of coverage, in ANY auto related accident. This includes something like getting your hand slammed in a car door, being hit as a pedestrian or riding a bicycle. All these things are always covered by the medical coverage of your auto insurance policy in Pennsylvania. Might want to check to make sure the state you live in doesn't have a similar coverage automatically before you panic.
Call the insurance commission for your state and get the facts.

 

[snowbird]

Thanks greenhorn. I'll check with my Insurance Agent when I get back to Ohio. I think what I really need is some kind of "source of income" insurance if I'm incapacitated. Maybe AFLAC.