Understanding Bicycle Insurance Coverage in Colorado

Every year, hundreds of bicyclists get sent to emergency rooms in Colorado for serious accident-related injuries. While cyclists are not required to have insurance in Colorado, purchasing coverage can give you peace of mind and important financial support in the event of a bicycle accident. If you are injured in a crash, a Fort Collins bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process and pursue compensation for your injuries.

Is Insurance Required for Bicyclists in Colorado?

No, insurance is not mandatory for bicycle riders in the State of Colorado. Colorado only requires insurance for motor vehicle drivers. The minimum amounts are $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident and $15,000 in property damage insurance. 

Colorado is a fault-based state, meaning the individual at fault for causing a collision must pay for the victim’s injuries and damages. In a bicycle accident case, an injured cyclist can file a claim to recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy.

However, the cyclist must prove fault to access this third-party insurance. In addition, coverage may not be available if the cyclist is at fault, the driver was uninsured or underinsured, or it was a hit-and-run bicycle accident. In these cases, having your own insurance as a cyclist can be invaluable.

The Benefits of Buying Insurance as a Cyclist

Purchasing your own insurance before you set out on your bicycle in Colorado can ensure that you are covered no matter what. It can prepare you for the possibility of getting into an accident with a negligent driver, due to an unsafe road condition or even from a mistake of your own. 

With first-party coverage, you can rest assured that your hospital bills, future necessary medical care, bicycle repairs or replacement, lost wages, and other losses will be covered after a bicycle accident, even if the other party does not have insurance that pays for the accident.

Types of Bicycle Insurance

If you wish to protect yourself by purchasing insurance as a bicyclist, multiple options are available. Possibilities include:

• Auto insurance: some automobile insurance policies provide coverage to cyclists after car accidents, including their medical expenses. First-party auto insurance can compensate you regardless of who is at fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance: can pay for your losses after an accident with a motorist who does not have enough insurance.

• Health insurance: covers medical care from injuries sustained while cycling, including injuries from car accidents. You may have deductibles or copays, depending on your policy.

• Homeowners or renters insurance: most of these policies cover bicycles as personal property. Though this will not pay for accidents, it can pay if your bicycle is damaged or stolen.

Don’t wait to purchase insurance as a bicyclist. Once an accident occurs, it will be too late to purchase coverage. Protect yourself by opting for insurance early on.

What to Do if You Get Into a Bicycle Accident in Colorado

In 2023, 2,941 bicycle accidents were reported, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. If you get injured in a bicycle accident in Colorado, stay calm and report the accident by calling 911. Remain at the scene until you have exchanged information with the motor vehicle driver and any eyewitnesses. Take photographs of the scene of the bicycle accident. Get medical care immediately for any injuries and follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. 

Call the driver’s car insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim. If this type of coverage is not available, explore your other options with assistance from a bicycle accident attorney. A Colorado bicycle accident attorney at Cannon Law can represent you during the claims process to seek financial coverage through all available sources. Contact us at (970) 471-7170.

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