Electric Bicycle Insurance California

Assembly bill 1096 defines an electric bicycle as a bike with fully operable pedals and an electric motor up to 750 watts.

Electric bicycle insurance california.

California electric motorized bicycle laws. 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. Cyclists may be unaware they don t need specialty insurance to protect their bicycles. A motorized bicycle is defined by having pedals and an electric motor with fewer than 750 watts.

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. In many situations bicycles are covered by your standard homeowners renters or condo insurance policy. Velosurance is a national bicycle insurance agency founded by two cyclists in response to the insurance needs of bicycle riders nationwide. From an insurance standpoint electric assist bicycles pose a special challenge.

Motorized bikes also called electric bicycles are similar to mopeds but california law treats them differently. If you own an electric bicycle or are planning on buying one then you know it s a significant investment. Three classes of electric bikes now exist in the state with laws as to where each type may operate. You don t need a driver s license or an endorsement to operate an electric bike in ca.

Class 1 ebikes are low speed pedal assisted. 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. 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. There are three different classes of electric bikes.

In 2015 california updated its bicycle laws to accommodate electric bicycles. Electric motors of fewer than 750 watts. E bikes can be expensive. The good news is that most forms of insurance for electronic bicycles is relatively inexpensive and often costs on average 200 or less per year depending on a number of factors.

Electric bicycles in california. 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. However it s important to understand the state s regulations when it comes to operating these types of bikes.

Spending this amount for electric bike insurance is worth it especially in long run if unluckily there is an accident takes place. 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.