[SDCBC] Bicycles and insurance

[gcarman at san.rr.com]

Perhaps the other important message here however is "check your policy..."  This is obviously a cycling group...  how many of us have some form of insurance that specifically excludes cyclists?  

I think I would have been quite stunned to find a cyclist exclusion on any policy.  

---- John Eldon <j.eldon at sbcglobal.net> wrote: 
> First, a disclosure -- I have happily had ACSC (AAA) auto insurance since 1976, when I bought my first car, and I have had their homeowner's insurance and umbrella liability coverage for the past 20 years. 
> 
> Second, you should go after the motorist's liability insurance, not your own carrier, for reimbursement of your medical expenses, plus a reasonable pain-and-suffering multiplier. This is precisely what I did in 1976, in a remarkably similar incident. 
> 
> Third, most experts advise that medical payments insurance is a rip-off for anyone who has health insurance, unless you need it to drive for school field trips, etc. The premium is high and the coverage is a mere pittance.
> 
> Fourth, and most importantly, get well soon!
> 
> John E.
> 
> 
> --- On Thu, 7/24/08, gary.kent at cox.net <gary.kent at cox.net> wrote:
> From: gary.kent at cox.net <gary.kent at cox.net>
> Subject: [SDCBC] Bicycles and insurance
> To: sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
> Date: Thursday, July 24, 2008, 8:04 AM
> 
> I was involved in a car/bike accident two weeks ago ( driver made a left turn in
> front of me- didn't see me) and made a trip to Pomerado hospital in an
> ambulance. fortunately the driver has insurance, but when contacting my own
> insurance company about the accident, I was informed that my medical payments
> coverage specifically excludes bicylists. 
> 
> The company - Wawanesa- sent me a copy of the declarations and they provide med
> pay if you are in a car or a pedestrian, but they specifically define a
> pedestrian as someone under human power excluding bicycles. If I had been on a
> skateboard, I would be covered, but not on a bike.
> 
> This fact has resulted in my changing my auto insurance to AAA, which does
> cover bicycles under medical payments.
> 
> Just a heads up- you may want to check your policy.
> 
> Gary Kent
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