PORTLAND, Ore., Jul 05, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The nation's bicycle community is growing rapidly, and as more cyclists share the road with cars, trucks and other cyclists, there is greater likelihood of an accident. As a result, the demand for bicycle insurance has never been higher. Today Better World Club (BWC), America's only environmentally friendly auto club, announces that it has partnered with Gales Creek Insurance Services (GCIS) of Portland, Oregon, a division of JD Fulwiler, so that its members can receive GCIS's BIKEon, the first nationwide, comprehensive, and affordable accident and liability insurance for bicyclists.
Offered exclusively to members enrolled in Better World Club's industry-leading bicycle roadside assistance program, BIKEon provides accident insurance for the cyclist providing up to $100,000 to reimburse him for his bills, and liability payment of up to $1 million for each occurrence in the event of an accident that is caused by the bicyclist and results in injuries to other people or damage to property. Cyclists who ride standard road bikes, mountain bikes or electric bikes will be covered under this new policy.
Because comprehensive BIKEon Accident and Liability Insurance policy is included in its $39.95 bicycle roadside assistance program at no additional charge for the primary member, it is available with or without Better World Club's auto club memberships. Bicycle Associates can be added for $17.00 each which includes both roadside assistance and the insurance.
"Because there's been such an increase in the number of cyclists on the roads, there's also a higher chance that they'll get into an accident and incur huge medical bills or be sued. As a result, we keep getting more and more calls asking for insurance coverage to cover cyclists comparable to the benefits drivers enjoy," said Mitch Rofsky, President of Better World Club. "GCIS's accident and liability insurance coverage gives riders peace of mind in knowing that their expenses will be taken care of in the event of an accident, and that they are not taking a financial risk by getting out of their cars and onto their bikes."
"Cyclists are an integral part of the larger American movement to wean our society off polluting fossil fuels, and deserve adequate protection while on the roadways," said Jeffrey M. Lang, head of research and New Product Development at Gales Creek Insurance Services. "BIKEon fills the crucial need for Accident and Liability Insurance protection, and is an aid to achieving our sustainability goals. We are proud to launch this highly affordable program with America's only eco-friendly roadside assistance organization, The Better World Club."
Over 10 years of research went into the new BIKEon product developed by Gales Creek Insurance Services who listened to individuals, leading organizations in the cycling community and public policy experts focused on the promotion of alternative transportation in America. Gales Creek also studied similar cycling programs available to consumer groups and clubs in other nations including Australia, Holland and Great Britain, so that American's who bike to work or for recreation could get affordably priced cycle insurance. BIKEon was designed to deliver on this promise of a low coast but comprehensive people's bike insurance program.
BIKEon insurance does not cover riders of BMX bikes or bikes used for commercial purposes.
Very cool. I disagree with their assertion that with more cyclers there is "greater likelihood of an accident" but I'm glad there is now such a thing as bicycling insurance. I just updated our "Protect yourself" resource with this info http://bike-pgh.org/blog/2011/03/14/protect-yourself/
I think they're trying to say the chance of some bike accident somewhere at any given instant increases with more cyclists (even though the chance decreases for a given individual).
That change is what got an insurance company interested, though it's dumb for them to present it as a reason for cyclists to sign up.
"Cyclists who ride standard road bikes, mountain bikes or electric bikes will be covered under this new policy." also makes me wonder if they cover all the other types of bikes. But despite unfortunate wording in the press release, this sounds pretty awesome.
I'm with Scott on this one, I believe there have been studies in a few metro areas which find that the number of accidents don't change much as the number of cyclists on the road increase. In effect, the % of crashes go down. However, the number crashes is very nearly the same as the period before the increase in riders.
I suspect the insurance company knows this. Whereas, they have calculated the minimum number of policies to sell in order to cover the expected losses - which would be a very small number.
So what I'm saying is, give me half of what they're charging and I'll honor their policy. It's my "I-gotchu" policy.
