Electric Bicycle Insurance California

According to the california bicycle coalition governor jerry brown has signed one of the united states most progressive electric bicycle laws which allows 28mph capable electric bikes in bike lanes and allows low power pedal assist electric bikes to use bike paths except when prohibited by local law.

Electric bicycle insurance california. Velosurance is a national bicycle insurance agency founded by two cyclists in response to the insurance needs of bicycle riders nationwide. E bikes can be expensive. Plus if you re injured on your bike in a collision with a vehicle your auto insurance may even cover your medical bills. Electric bikes and home insurance before you take out a specialist electric bike insurance policy check your home insurance to see what cover you have for pedal cycles.

While this is true for human powered bicycles the addition of a motor to a bike makes it a motorized vehicle which excludes it from coverage on standard. Motorized bikes also called electric bicycles are similar to mopeds but california law treats them differently. In many situations bicycles are covered by your standard homeowners renters or condo insurance policy. We partnered with an a m best a rated us insurance company to provide a multi risk policy offering protection to all types of cyclists.

A motorized bicycle is defined by having pedals and an electric motor with fewer than 750 watts. Electric bicycles in california. Most people assume their homeowners or umbrella insurance policies extend to their e bikes. California electric motorized bicycle laws.

Let s take a closer look at why e bike insurance is a good move. In 2015 california updated its bicycle laws to accommodate electric bicycles. Spending this amount for electric bike insurance is worth it especially in long run if unluckily there is an accident takes place. Most contents insurance policies that include bikes have a low cover limit which is likely to be below the value of your electric bike and unlikely to cover bicycle theft away from the home.

Class 1 ebikes are low speed pedal assisted. You don t need a driver s license or an endorsement to operate an electric bike in ca. Assembly bill 1096 defines an electric bicycle as a bike with fully operable pedals and an electric motor up to 750 watts. However it s important to understand the state s regulations when it comes to operating these types of bikes.

A good quality entry level e bike costs upwards of 1 000 an average value e bike runs around 3 000 and a high end e bike costs as much as. Cyclists may be unaware they don t need specialty insurance to protect their bicycles. If you own an electric bicycle or are planning on buying one then you know it s a significant investment. Electric motors of fewer than 750 watts.

Three classes of electric bikes now exist in the state with laws as to where each type may operate. From an insurance standpoint electric assist bicycles pose a special challenge.