Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

By now, you’ve probably seen a few people cruise by on an E-Bike. They may have been a few teenagers on their way to a friend’s house, somebody using the vehicle as a new way to commute to work, or maybe it was even yourself doing the riding. E-bikes have become common in many cities across the United States. But, while E-Bikes might be revving up in terms of popularity, new technology brings new complications and new concerns.
WHAT ARE E-BIKES?
E-Bikes are not to be confused with mopeds or Vespa-like scooters, which allow users to sit, and travel at relatively high speeds. Rather, E-Bikes are operated like a normal bike, but with an attached battery pack and motor used to help assist the rider. E-Bikes often do not require the operator to have a driver’s license. But it is important to know that the US government also classifies these bikes in the following way (click here for full government documentation):
  • Class 1 – Motorized bicycle that provides pedal assist up to 20 MPH
  • Class 2 – Motorized bicycle that provides both throttle & pedal assist up to 20 MPH
  • Class 3 – Motorized bicycle that provides pedal assist up to 28 MPH
KNOW THE RISKS AND RULES
While operating an E-Bike, users are required to obey state and local traffic laws, but these can vary greatly depending on where you live or where you’re riding.
Even if you are certain that you’re not breaking any laws, operating any type of motor vehicle, even an E-Bike, brings a certain amount of risk. E-Bikes might not travel as fast as cars, but even at speeds as low as 20 mph, an accident involving a rider, pedestrians or other motor vehicles can lead to serious injuries including broken bones, head injuries and soft-tissue injuries.
WHERE DOES THE FINGER POINT?
With E-Bikes still being a relatively new form of transportation, many insurance companies are still inconclusive on how coverage and liability applies to accidents and injuries caused or suffered by riders. Some bikes can be covered under a homeowners insurance policy, while others need additional coverage to be covered.
You may be riding at your own risk when you step onto an E-Bike, so it’s important to know whether you’re covered under your own insurance policies. Your homeowners and auto insurance policies may have been created before the rise of E-Bike, so there may be no mention of the devices.
A standard homeowner policy does not cover motor vehicles, and standard personal auto policies exclude liability coverage for vehicles with less than four wheels—E-Bikes generally have two. Motorcycle insurance also might not cover E-Bikes. Here at Lawley, we would highly encourage anyone riding or owning E-Bikes to take a look at their current home policies and consider a personal umbrella policy if one is not already in place. 
It is important to know the specific details of your homeowners and auto policies before you can count on coverage for theft, destruction, injury, or accident involving an E-Bike.
Contact Lawley today for more information.