How does Bike Insurance vs On-the-Bike Injury Coverage differ?

USA Cycling Member Spotlight

BUZZY COHN, FOUNDER AND CEO OF BIKEINSURE

Hello USA Cycling members. I'm Buzzy Cohn, a busy father, avid cyclist, and USA Cycling RIDE+ member like many of you. While I always believed that cycling was safe, I never expected to experience a bicycle crash myself. One day, while riding with a group of friends, I accidentally ran over part of a hubcap on the roadside.

The accident destroyed my road bike, making it difficult to believe that one incident could be so costly that it might prevent me from continuing to ride. This experience taught me that homeowner's insurance, even with a 'Scheduled Insurance Rider,' is NOT an appropriate way to insure a bike.

Additionally, even though I had health insurance, I was still financially responsible for the out-of-pocket expenses related to the riding injury that my insurance did not cover.

My experience led me to create BikeInsure, which offers comprehensive protection for bicycles and e-bike equipment through a separate bike insurance policy. With BikeInsure, you can ride with peace of mind, knowing that your bicycle, which you have an emotional connection to, is only a $100 deductible away from being repaired or replaced after an unexpected accident loss. BikeInsure is the trusted official bike insurance provider for USA Cycling.

After a costly bike accident, I realized that I would never feel comfortable owning a bicycle or e-bike in the United States without optimal coverage for both my bike and body. BikeInsure fully protects the investment I made in my beloved bike. At the same time, I select the USA Cycling RIDE+ membership, which covers the gap in out-of-pocket expenses for injuries sustained while cycling, currently underwritten by Berkley Insurance.

How does Bike Insurance and On-the-Bike Injury Coverage differ?

Bike Insurance

Opt-In Sign-Up: Bike insurance provides protection for your bicycle, e-bike, tricycle, or adaptive cycle and all listed non-stock attached accessories and components against financial risks associated with riding, transit, and theft. While it is true that I have homeowner's insurance, experts advise homeowners to view a home insurance policy as catastrophic home loss protection rather than for personal items like bicycles. Even with a 'Scheduled Insurance Rider' for your bikes, making claims on your homeowner's insurance can lead to significantly higher premiums and increase the risk of your policy not being renewed.

The best way to insure a bike is to enroll in specialized bike insurance, such as BikeInsure, which has been the official bike insurance of USA Cycling since 2023. One of its best features is that filing a claim with BikeInsure will not affect your other insurance policies. This means you can fully protect your bike while also safeguarding your homeowner's insurance — a true win-win!

USAC members can opt-in for discounted bike and e-bike insurance at USACinsure.com.

Body Coverage

On-the-Bike Injury | Plus Member Benefit: Out-of-pocket medical expenses resulting from a cycling accident are often beyond the scope of healthcare insurance because deductibles and out-of-pocket limits that the insured is responsible for are often quite high.

In 2025, the maximum out-of-pocket limit for Marketplace Plans is $9,200 for individuals and $18,400 for families. Both the USA Cycling RIDE+ and RACE+ membership levels offer a benefit of $50,000 coverage for out-of-pocket expenses related to bike injuries incurred while riding.

Blue Cross Blue Shield, my healthcare provider, processed my claim for the cycling accident injury. They covered $9,185.80 of my total charges, which amounted to $12,525.69. I received an invoice indicating that my total patient responsibility is $3,128.47. This amount would be eligible for reimbursement under the "On-the-Bike Injury Insurance" benefit, which is underwritten by Berkley Insurance when a RIDE+ or RACE+ USA Cycling membership is active at the time of a cycling accident occurrence.

I am not affiliated with Berkley Insurance, but it's important to mention that the carrier has an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior). If you value the out-of-pocket accidental riding medical expense benefit, you might find a suitable USA Cycling membership labeled RIDE+ or RACE+ at Memberships.USAcycling.org

As a bike owner with expertise in bicycle insurance, it is crucial for every USA Cycling member to understand the importance of clarifying what happens to their insurance policy after a claim is filed.

I had been with my homeowner's insurance for over twenty years and had never submitted a claim until my bike accident. I was horrified to discover that the money my homeowner's insurance had advised me to spend on an optional add-on, known as a 'Scheduled Insurance Rider' for my bike, could not be used responsibly, as it could jeopardize my homeowner's insurance policy in the event of a claim. The solution is to have a separate bike insurance policy, which is essential for every bicycle and e-bike owner nationwide.

I am the proud CEO of BikeInsure, a licensed insurance provider that offers affordable coverage for bicycles and eBikes nationwide in the United States. As the official bike insurance partner of USA Cycling, IMBA, and USA Triathlon, BikeInsure collaborates with and is underwritten by Great American Insurance Company, which has an 'A+' (Superior) rating from AM Best. BikeInsure's authorized insurers operate in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. For over 150 years, Americans have trusted Great American Insurance Company to protect them and deliver best-in-class service.

I invite each USA Cycling member to sign up for BikeInsure. It's easy to get BikeInsure and enjoy your ride. Signing up takes just two minutes at USACinsure.com.