How To Get Your Electric Bike Covered With Insurance

Electric bikes, or eBikes, can be an eco-friendly alternative for transportation but can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to replace if it is damaged in an accident or stolen. Having the right insurance can help you circumvent this financial burden, especially if your homeowners or renters insurance offers zero or limited coverage for your eBike.

Keep reading to learn how eBike insurance insurance works, what options are available and how much it can cost.

What Is eBike Insurance?

eBike insurance covers an electric bicycle with an electric motor of up to 750 watts that can travel at a maximum speed of 28 mph.^[1] Each policy will vary in what it covers, with some including either liability coverage, physical damage and theft coverage or both. Some policies may include additional perks such as coverage for eBike accessories and gear and roadside assistance. Keep in mind that there are different classes of eBikes and some insurers may agree to insure only certain classes:^[2]

• Class 1: Motor assistance is activated when the rider is pedaling, up to 20 mph.
• Class 2: Motor propels bicycle without pedaling by the rider, up to 20 mph.
• Class 3: Motor assistance is activated when the rider is pedaling, up to 28 mph.

While coverage may extend to eBikes in a standard renters or homeowners policy, some carriers may deny coverage if they classify the electric bike as a motorized vehicle like a motorcycle or car. If this is the case for you, you will need to buy an eBike insurance policy if you want coverage.

Keep in mind that, unlike insuring a motorcycle, there is generally no law requiring you to insure your electric bike. However, without insurance, you will be left liable for any damages or injuries you’re at fault for causing with your eBike, as well as covering all the costs of replacement or repair if it is stolen or vandalized.

What Does eBike Insurance Cover?

Depending on your insurance policy, standalone insurance for electric bikes may offer the following coverages:

• Personal liability for injury, death or damages to others involving your eBike
• Theft
• Damage from fire, windstorms, vandalism, falling objects
• Vehicle contact protection (accident with car when sharing the road)
• Damages while in transit on an airplane, truck or car
• Uninsured motorist protection if you’re the victim in a hit-and-run or the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
• eBike rental reimbursement if your insured eBike is unusable due to a covered loss or breakdown
• Taxi fare reimbursement if you are unable to ride your eBike home due to an accident
• Permissive use (losses incurred when someone else is riding your eBike with your permission)
• Apparel and spare parts
• Global coverage
• Emergency medical payments (e.g., ambulance fees, x-rays, stitches)
• Roadside assistance

What Isn’t Covered?

Your eBike generally won’t be covered for the following damages or losses:

• Cosmetic damage such as light scratches or chipped paint
• Losses incurred during commercial use of your eBike (e.g., delivery or messenger services)
• Nuclear hazards, insects, war and other excluded perils
• Wear and tear
• Lack of maintenance

Types of eBike Insurance

Coverage for your eBike is generally available either as a standalone insurance policy or an add-on to your homeowners or renters insurance policy.

Electric Bike Insurance Policy

Some insurance carriers that cover traditional bicycles, like Velosurance and Markel Insurance Services, have expanded their coverage to electric bicycles with motors up to 750 watts and speeds up to 28 mph.^[3][4] These policies typically include comprehensive coverage, offering liability protection if you get into an accident, as well as coverage for your bike if it’s stolen or damaged by certain perils like fire or vandalism.

eBike policies can also carry perks attractive to electric bike riders, such as:

• Worldwide coverage: Your electric bike is covered while in transit in another state or a different country.
• Taxi fare reimbursement: If you lost your ride because your eBike was damaged or stolen, your policy may reimburse you for taxi fare to the nearest transport station, repair shop or home.
• Uninsured motorist contact protection: If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident or the at-fault driver does not have insurance or minimal coverage limits, uninsured motorist contact protection can cover your medical expenses and damages.

Scheduled Property Coverage

If your renters or homeowners insurance covers your eBike, it may be subject to a sublimit, which can be remedied by buying scheduled property coverage. A sublimit means your eBike will only be insured up to a certain amount — your insurer may only cover up to $1,500 if your eBike is stolen despite it being worth $2,500, for instance. Scheduling your eBike on your home insurance policy will allow you to insure your eBike for its full replacement value.

However, keep in mind that insurers may only insure specific types of eBikes. For example, Lemonade will only insure eBikes that require at least some manual pedaling and will exclude coverage for Class 2 eBikes equipped with a throttle that can self-propel the eBike.^[5]

If your eBike is not covered by your home insurance policy, then you will not be covered for liability expenses if you’re responsible for causing an accident either. In this case, it is recommended that you buy a standalone eBike insurance policy.

How Much Is eBike Insurance?

The average standalone electric bike insurance policy can cost as little as $100 to $500 annually.^[6] If you’re seeking only personal liability coverage, you may be able to get your annual costs as low as $75 but could lose out on the benefits of coverage for damages to your eBike.^[6] Actual costs can vary based on multiple factors, including:

• Company
• Electric bike value
• Deductible amount
• Selected coverages
• Location
• Age
• Driving history
• Deductible

Which Companies Offer eBike Insurance?

An electric bicycle insurance policy is typically offered as a standalone option by insurance companies, some of which include:^{[3][4][7][8][9]}

How To Get eBike Insurance

You should start by checking if your eBike is already insured under your homeowners or renters insurance policy. If it is, then you should check if there is any sublimit and depending on the value of your eBike, you may want to consider buying a rider to insure it for its full value.

However, if your homeowners or renters insurance company does not extend coverage to your eBike or if you want more robust coverage, you should compare quotes and benefits from eBike insurance companies that serve your area. Be sure to also factors in reviews from other customers and each company’s financial stability rating into your decision.