It is a beautiful summer day. Humidity is low, the birds are chirping and your family sets out to hike on your local park trails. As you round a corner of the trail, your ten year old races ahead and doesn’t see the mountain biker coming the opposite direction on the path. They collide and from the looks of it, she is going to need medical attention. What do you do? Did you know that your daughter’s medical costs are covered under the biker’s homeowner insurance? Would you have thought to exchange insurance information?
Summertime brings many exciting opportunities for bikers, hikers and runners. We are here to help you understand how to plan your excursions and handle situations should they arise. Here are some familiar scenarios and what policy has you covered in each situation.
Scenario 1- You are riding your bike along a curvy back road and are struck by an automobile. What is covered and by who?
Answer– The automobile driver’s auto policy will cover both bodily injury and property damage as well. This includes the bike, helmet and clothing of the biker. What if the driver is uninsured? The bodily injury of the biker is covered under his own medical insurance and the biker’s homeowner insurance will cover the damage to the property damage subject to his deductible. True biking enthusiasts may want to cover their bikes for the full value with a lower deductible than is available under the homeowner’s policy through an inland marine policy. Talk you your agent for more details.
Scenario 2– What if the bicyclist is at fault in an accident between a bicycle and an automobile?
Answer– The bicyclist’s homeowner’s policy will respond to the bodily injury and property damage caused by the cyclist. His own major medical will cover his medical
expenses. The coverage form of the home or inland marine policy will determine what kind of coverage will be paid.
Scenario 3– What about situations where the fault is shared?
Answer– Decisions will be made as to how much the auto policy and how much the homeowner’s policy will pay.
*These situations can also be applied to walkers or runners who are struck by automobiles.
