Insuring your kids

Last updated July 29, 2026

General

Is my child covered when riding a bike insured under my policy?

Yes. The policy is written on a permissive use basis: anyone riding the insured bike with the policyholder's permission is an insured, and the policy sets no age requirement. Physical damage coverage and any coverages you've elected, such as liability and medical payments, apply to your child just as they do to you.

Do I need to add my child to my policy for them to be covered?

No. Coverage follows the bike, so your child is covered automatically whenever they ride it with your permission, at no extra premium. If you'd like, we can also note your child on the policy as a covered rider.

Can I list my child as a covered rider on my policy?

Yes. The policy doesn't require it, but we're happy to specify your child as a covered rider for peace of mind and legal clarity: it removes any question at claim time about whether permission existed. Contact us and we'll add the notation at no charge.

Can I insure my child's bike on my policy?

Yes. Any bike listed on your Declarations Page is insured, whoever its primary rider is. Since a minor can't hold a policy, a parent's policy is the way to insure a child's bike until age 18. If you buy your child a new bike mid-term, notify us within 30 days to add it.

Can I buy a separate policy for my child?

Yes, but if your child is under 18 the policy must be in a parent's name, since a minor can't be a party to an insurance contract. The child's bike then carries its own limits and deductible, and your child rides as a permissive-use insured. At 18 they can hold a policy in their own name.

Does one policy cover all of my family's bikes?

Yes. You can schedule every family bike on one policy, each at its own insured value. The liability limit applies per occurrence regardless of how many bikes or riders are on the policy.

Younger children

Is there a minimum age for a child to be covered while riding an insured bike?

No. The policy sets no minimum or maximum age; coverage depends only on the child riding the insured bike with your permission.

If my child crashes the bike, will the damage be covered?

Yes. Physical damage coverage applies no matter who is riding, so a crash by your child is treated like a crash by you, subject to your deductible. Wear and tear and cosmetic scratches that don't affect function aren't covered.

Is my child's bike covered against theft from our garage or the schoolyard?

Yes, when the theft conditions are met. At home, there must be signs of forcible entry. Away from home, the bike must be locked to an immovable object with a key or combination lock. Every theft claim requires a police report.

My child is injured in a bike accident. Does the medical coverage apply to them?

Yes, provided medical payments coverage was elected before the accident. It pays medical, dental, ambulance, and hospital charges incurred within one year, up to the per-person limit, for any insured, including a child riding with your permission. It pays in excess of your health insurance, helping with deductibles and copays.

If my child accidentally injures someone or damages property while riding, does liability coverage apply?

Yes, if liability coverage was elected on your policy. It covers the legal liability of any insured: your child as the permissive rider and you as the bike's owner. Liability pays third parties; injuries to your own child fall under medical payments coverage.

Teenagers

My teenager rides to school every day. Are they and the bike covered?

Yes. Commuting to school is private pleasure use, covered anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. One caveat: coverage is suspended during commercial use, so delivery or courier gigs on the insured bike aren't covered.

Is my teen's bike covered if it's stolen from the school bike rack?

Yes, if it was locked to the rack with a key or combination lock. You'll also need a police report describing the theft and the lock used, so make sure your teen reports a theft the same day.

My teenager rides an e-bike. Are they covered?

Yes, insured e-bikes are covered on the same permissive-use basis. Just make sure your teen meets your state's rules: most states require Class 3 e-bike riders to be at least 16, and some require helmets under 18.

My teenager rides a high-power electric dirt bike. Is he covered?

No. The policy insures bicycles and Class 1-3 e-bikes. A high-power electric dirt bike is neither; it belongs on a motorcycle or powersports policy.

My teenager races or rides with a club or team. Does racing coverage extend to them?

Yes, provided competitive use is elected on the bike. Racing is then covered like any other ride, with extras: entry fee reimbursement up to $500 and a $250 rental bike allowance for covered losses more than 50 miles from home. Theft coverage in an event's staging or transition area is limited to 24 hours before and after the event.

Does liability coverage apply if my teenager causes an accident?

Yes, as long as liability coverage was elected before the accident. It covers your teen's and your legal liability and includes the cost of defending a covered lawsuit. Your teen's own injuries fall under medical payments and Uninsured Motorist Coverage, not liability.

My teen lets a friend ride the insured bike. Is the friend covered?

Only with your permission: the policy requires the policyholder's permission, and your teenager's isn't enough. Set the house rule explicitly so it's never in doubt. Note that theft by someone the bike was entrusted to isn't covered.

At what point should my teenager get their own policy?

There's no cutoff; permissive use keeps your child covered at any age, even away at college, since coverage travels with the bike anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. The natural time for their own policy is at 18 or later, when they buy their own bike or move out for good.