My Bike Was Damaged and I Wasn’t Riding It: What Can I Do?

Discovering that your bike is damaged is never a pleasant experience, especially if the damage happened while you weren’t even riding. Whether your bicycle was hit by a car outside of work or crunched by a garbage truck on the side of the road, knowing what to do next is very important!

All cyclists, bicycles, and insurance companies are different. Some cyclists ride a lot, others don’t. Some bicycles are expensive, others aren’t. Some insurance companies will handle your bike damages well, others won’t. You need to do all you can to get the most compensation possible for your losses.

What To Do If Your Bike was Damaged

Is there insurance that protects you if you cycle on Utah roads? There is: car insurance! Only a few companies specifically offer bike insurance, so most people take advantage of the bike option on their car insurance.

If you are insured and discover that your bike was damaged, you’re in luck! You may be able to recover your losses. Here are some types of insurance that could help if your bike was damaged:

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage
  • This type of coverage helps you pay for damages when the person at fault doesn’t have insurance. Depending on the insurance company, this can even cover damages caused by an unknown person.
• Bicycle Theft Insurance
  • Most homeowner’s insurance should cover the cost of bike theft in the case of a break-in. But if your bicycle is stolen elsewhere or is too expensive for your policy, you need additional coverage. You could also communicate with your insurance company and arrange for them to cover a more expensive bike.

What to Do if Your Bike was Damaged in an Accident

• Remain calm
  • Whether or not you witnessed the damage happen, stay calm so that you can think clearly.
• Don’t admit fault
  • In any accident situation, don’t admit fault immediately. If your bike is damaged while you aren’t riding it, you are unlikely to be at fault unless you are parked illegally.
• Find eyewitnesses
  • If there are people nearby who may have seen what happened, get their contact information.
• Take pictures
  • Documenting the scene of an accident is important. It allows you to show details of the situation to insurance adjusters or lawyers.
• Gather any information you can
  • If you witnessed the damage being done or saw the person doing it, record any information — including their personal information if possible. Note their appearance and physical and personality characteristics. Do your best to remember everyone involved.
• Record all the details
  • Take detailed notes on the situation. Photos, descriptions, locations, and diagrams can all be helpful in remembering what really happened.

If you aren’t insured, there isn’t much you can do. If you are, follow these steps and file a claim with your insurance company.

If you have trouble with an insurance company, contact us and we can help you through the often-frustrating claims process. We understand how you feel and handle cycling claims and accidents often.