Road biking is a hobby that for many escalates to the edge of obsession, for all the right reasons. Some are attracted to the accessibility of the sport: as long as there's a road to ride on, there's an adventure to be had. For many it’s the energy of fellow cyclists, a camaraderie that research suggests has a profoundly positive effect on stress levels and overall mental health. Whether riding alone or with a group, competitively or not, there's something liberating about hopping on a bike and pedaling away. Despite the majority of rides being uneventful, every roadie will eventually experience a crash resulting in at least some road rash. If the accident causes damage to the bike or injury to oneself or others, things can quickly become complicated.

Cycling which has been steadily growing in popularity during the last decade has received an unprecedented surge during the pandemic. This jump in popularity compounded with bike and parts shortages has resulted in skyrocketing bike theft.

Having dedicated bike insurance coverage for unexpected situations such as a crash or theft can soften the financial blow and allow you to return to your hobby almost immediately. For those for whom cycling is a lifestyle may find it advantageous to obtain additional coverage to cover their specific risks.

If you ride long enough, you will eventually crash, it’s simply the nature of the sport. While bike handling skills develop with experience, even the most seasoned riders are prone to crash once in a while. Whether it’s sliding out in a loose corner, crossing wheels on a group ride or failing to unclip when coming to a stop. Fortunately, the majority of crashes are minor, resulting in nothing more than a bruised ego and some scratches on the bicycle. However, there are occasions when a crash can cause you to second-guess your choice of hobby, and make you wish you had insurance.

Although road bikes are built to endure the rigors of long days in the saddle, they are considerably less durable in the event of a side impact, particularly when the frame or protruding components such as the derailleur collide with pavement. Despite its remarkable specific strength, carbon fiber is not as impact-resistant as steel and aluminum, despite being stronger than both materials.

In the event of an accident that results in damage to your bicycle, a policy from Velosurance has you covered. The standard policy not only covers the cost of repairing the bike but also compensates for any damaged riding gear and apparel (up to $500). Additionally, it provides an extra $500 per loss, with a maximum of $1,000 for the policy term, to help cover the cost of spare parts, such as a racing wheel set.

The recent surge in bicycle popularity, coupled with logistical challenges and parts deficit has disrupted the bicycle market, creating a surge in demand amidst limited supply. This perfect storm has resulted in a spike of 24% in bike theft since 2019. To exacerbate the situation, bike theft is the least reported and solved crime. The harsh reality is that if your bike is stolen, you probably won’t see it again.

The widespread availability of battery-powered cutting tools has made bike theft exceedingly effortless: even the sturdiest U-locks, chains, and cable locks offer less than a minute of protection against an electric angle grinder equipped with a diamond disc. Thieves are now scouring public garages, shopping mall parking lots, and even residential neighborhoods in search of easy targets.

Our standard bicycle insurance policy provides coverage against theft at home and away. When left unattended in public, the bike must be secured to an immovable object such as a bike rack for the coverage to be in effect.

Cycling, like any physical activity, carries a certain degree of risk. However, whether or not cycling is a dangerous sport largely depends on the individual's level of experience, skill, and the conditions in which they ride. Every rider is bound to experience a few crashes as they start out in the sport. Crashes are opportunities to learn and progress, hopefully with minimal injuries.

While most injuries are not severe, the longer one rides, the greater the chances of eventually experiencing a more serious injury that requires significant medical attention.

Riding a bike without sufficient health coverage is generally unwise. A serious accident resulting in a broken collarbone or severe road rash will lead to an emergency room visit, surgery, and an extended recovery period. The final medical bill can be substantial enough to cause financial strain or even bankruptcy.

Medical payments are an optional coverage offered by a policy from Velosurance to address remaining medical expenses once your primary health insurance covers their portion. Typically, this includes the out-of-pocket deductible and copays for emergency room visits and medical facilities. Consider your primary medical insurance deductibles when selecting the appropriate coverage limit.

Getting hit by a car is the worst fear of all cyclists since the potential for serious injury or death is high. Unlike a car driver who has the protection of a vehicle around them, a cyclist is exposed and vulnerable. Even a minor collision can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries.

Even if a cyclist is fortunate enough to survive a collision with a car, the long-term consequences can be significant. In addition to physical injuries, a cyclist may experience emotional trauma and financial burden from medical bills, prolonged physical therapy and other recovery costs, as well as lost wages.

The optional Vehicle contact protection coverage on a policy from Velosurance provides coverage for medical and related expenses incurred as a result of a car-bicycle accident. This coverage is highly recommended for anyone who rides on public roads, including roadies and bike commuters.

While some road cyclists prefer sticking to familiar routes, many others enjoy the thrill of exploring new locations on their bikes. Whether it's a weekend trip to a neighboring town, a road trip with multiple scenic stops, or a winter getaway to a sunny destination, cycling enthusiasts are always looking for their next adventure.

Thankfully, airlines have recognized the growing demand for air travel with bicycles and have made it easier than ever before. However, despite the improvements, airlines still have a reputation for being uncooperative or difficult to deal with when it comes to making claims for damages.

Unfortunately, bikes are frequently damaged during transportation, whether it's due to a mistake like driving into a low garage with a bike on the roof rack, or due to negligence of airport personnel or postal couriers. With a policy from Velosurance, your bike is covered for all types of damage during transit, giving you peace of mind when venturing away from home. For those traveling abroad, it's recommended to select the optional worldwide coverage, which extends your policy to any country in the world.

While personal opinions are highly subjective, it’s difficult to argue with the fact that e-bikes are changing cycling, making it more accessible for beginners, the aging population and those with special needs. In fact, for every type of bicycle that’s on the market, there’s an e-bike version that’s just as capable and probably more fun to ride. E-bikes can go faster with less effort, making the steepest climbs more feasible and training with a stronger partner less demoralizing. Road e-bikes are no exception: every major brand now offers at least one e-road bike in its lineup, most of them are difficult to distinguish from their “acoustic” counterparts.

The extreme popularity of e-bikes is backed up by a scary statistic: electric bikes are three times more likely to be stolen than non-electric. This staggering difference is explained by the high value of the bikes and the demand that they command. High-quality e-bikes are on average 30% more expensive than their non-electric equivalents, and while e-road bike sales haven’t caught up with the rest of the bike categories, there’s an undeniably significant increase in interest.

A bicycle insurance policy from Velosurance covers Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bikes and offers all the coverages that would apply to a regular bike.

Members of USA Cycling, USA Triathlon, and International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA) receive discounts on Velosurance bicycle insurance products.

Velosurance provides bicycle insurance policies in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.