Best insurance for your road bike
Whether the accident is a simple mishap or a someone's negligence, and if it happens on a ride, at home, or in transit, it's covered.
Crash Damage
Your bike is covered if it’s damaged in a crash. On a road or trail, a group ride or a race, if it’s damaged in an accident, it’s covered.
Theft Coverage
If your bike is stolen from your home, car, workplace or any other secure location, such as a triathlon transition area, it’s covered.
Medical Coverage
If you’re hurt, we'll cover some of your medical bills, up to the policy limit. This coverage pays to supplement the deductible of your personal health insurance policy.
Why Velosurance for roadies
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.
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.
Road bike crash damage coverage
On a road or trail, a group ride or a race, if it’s damaged in an accident, it’s covered.
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. 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.
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.
Road bike theft coverage
If your bike is stolen from your home, car, workplace or any other secure location, it’s covered.
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.
Velosurance covers all types of road bikes
This sport, which reaches far and wide, has attracted a diverse and passionate community of riders. Whether you speed down a singletrack, explore the backcountry, or get gnarly at a bike park, you’re a mountain biker. So no matter how big your tires are or how much travel is in your fork, it’s covered.
Medical coverage
This optional coverage will pay the leftover bills once your primary health insurance has paid its share.
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 gap insurance is 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.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you're hit by a car, this coverage will pay the expenses associated with getting hit by a car, regardless of fault.
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 Uninsured motorist 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.
Damage in transit
Your bike is covered for damage whether it's on your car or in possessoin of an airline or a postal courier.
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.
Velosurance, protecting you and your road bike
Those who consider cycling a part of their lives inadvertently expose themselves to certain niche risks, such as racing accidents and liability claims, that could result in financial strain. Our policy offers a wide range of optional coverages that can be used to eliminate or minimize risks associated with the cycling lifestyle.
Race Coverage
Damage due to a crash while racing is covered with an optional coverage.
Liability Coverage
We will protect you from personal liability (injury, sickness, death, or damage to property) you cause while riding your bike.
Worldwide Coverage
If your travels take you outside of the USA and Canada we can extend the policy's physical damage and theft coverage worldwide for a reasonable additional premium. This also covers the bike while in transit by the airline.
E-road bike coverage
E-bike owners can also have the peace of mind that their bike is covered, just like a conventional bike.
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. 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.
Coverages and Features
Velosurance offers must-have protection such as accidental damage, theft, or loss in transit. Each policy can be customized by adding additional coverages such as liability protection, uninsured motorist, and medical payments. Select any coverage to see the details.
Bicycles are very easy to steal and equally difficult to recover, and even a hefty U-lock doesn’t guarantee your bike is still there when you return. Velosurance provides peace of mind if it is stolen or damaged in the process.
Our policy will pay to replace your ride if it is accidentally damaged and beyond repair, including damage that occurs while being carried on or in your vehicle. If it can be repaired, we will pay all the costs associated with the bike's repair, including tax, labor, and shipping, minus the deductible. Cosmetic damage that does not affect safety is excluded.
Our policy optional coverage purchase will protect and defend you from your personal liability (injury, sickness, death, or damage to property, including fire damage) that you are found legally liable for. Coverage limits offered: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000 per occurrence.
E-bike liability insurance →If you’re hurt and require medical attention, our optional medical gap will take care of your medical bills, up to the selected limit. The payments are paid directly to you to supplement the deductible of your personal health insurance policy.
Medical gap insurance →Depreciation is a hidden deductible that increases every year and is applied if the bicycle is stolen or totaled. No one is ever happy with an Actual Cash Value insurance settlement: the bike is first devalued, and then a deductible is applied, resulting in a reimbursement that is far less than the cost of a replacement. We reimburse without depreciation, for the cost of a replacement that is of like, kind, and quality similar to your totaled bike.
One of the scariest things that can happen to a cyclist is getting hit by a car. This coverage will pay for medical expenses, physical therapy, mental health services, lost wages, and other expenses that arise from a bicycle-car accident.
Uninsured motorist insurance →We cover all electrically assisted Class 1, 2, and 3 bikes with a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. All protections available for conventional bicycles also apply to electric ones.
E-bike insurance →Bikes often get damaged in transit by personal vehicles, airlines, or courier services. Filing a claim with the airlines and courier services is a notoriously difficult process with a questionable outcome. We cover the insured bicycle for loss or damage while it's on its way to or from your destination by air or road. Even if it falls off a vehicle rack or is hit in a rear-end accident, it is covered, no arguments.
Bicycle travel coverage →If you go down in a crash, we cover your ride as well as your apparel, such as helmet, shoes, glasses, or riding kit that are torn up, and pay up to $500 per accident and $1,000 per term. Spare parts that are not installed, such as a spare wheelset, are also covered up to $500 per loss and $1,000 per year.
Our policy does not piggypack on any coverage you may already have, such as homeowners policies. Filing a claim won’t impact your rates with other carriers. With home insurance premiums rising each year in the U.S., it’s wise to reserve that policy for major incidents, because no matter how valuable your bike is, it’s still a lot cheaper than a kitchen fire or a flooded basement.
We cover the insured bike at all times, anywhere in the USA and Canada, and can be extended worldwide on request. There are no exclusions on the time of day or limitations on how long it can be stored away from home. 24/7/365 means every minute of every day, no matter where or when.
In the heat of a race, the focus on speed often outweighs concerns for safety, leaving little margin for error. If you go down in a crash, this optional coverage takes care of repairs or replacement. If you use your bike in a competitive environment, this is a no-brainer because it offers protection in the highest-risk category.
Bicycle racing insurance →If your travels take you beyond the USA and Canada, for a small additional premium, this option extends the physical loss and damage protection, including loss or damage caused by an airline, to any country in the world.
International coverage →You can lend it to anyone you choose, and it will be covered. The bike and the person riding it are covered as if it were you riding it‚ this includes theft and crash damage as well as any purchased optional coverages.
We do not dictate what type or brand of lock must be used to protect your ride from theft – you are welcome to use any lock that you trust. The best security is provided by metal locks combined with a high-quality chain. Securing your ride to a solid and immovable object, such as a bike rack, with a high-quality lock will send the thief onto the one secured with a more vulnerable lock.
Why Velosurance is best for your road bike
Not all types of insurance are created equal. Velosurance levels the playing field by offering stand-alone bicycle coverage, where claims won’t affect your homeowner's or renter’s policy premiums.
| Policy Coverage |  | Homeowner/Renters Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Insured at Full Value | Yes | Possibly |
| Crash Damage | Yes | No |
| Theft Coverage | Yes | Limited |
| Theft by Force | Yes | No |
| Theft of Accessories | Yes | Limited |
| Theft Away From Home | Yes | Possibly |
| Vehicle Contact | Yes | No |
| Personal Liability | Yes | Possibly |
| Permissive Use Policy | Yes | No |
| Replacement Rental | Yes | No |
| Event Fee Return | Yes | No |
| Cycling Apparel Coverage | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments | Yes | Possibly |
| Racing Coverage | Yes | No |
| E-bikes | Yes | No |
| Coverage in-transit | Yes | No |
| USAC, USAT and IMBA Member Discount | Yes | No |
| FREE INSTANT QUOTE |
Not all insurance policies provide the same level of protection, and many people only discover gaps in their coverage after filing a claim. We’ve done the hard work of reviewing the fine print. To see how plans compare, check out our insurance comparison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does road bike insurance cover?
- The core policy is all-risk: crash and accidental damage on a road or trail or in a group ride; theft from your home, car, workplace, or any other secure location; and damage or loss in transit, whether the bike is on your car rack or in the possession of an airline or a postal courier. Damaged riding gear and apparel are covered up to $500, and spare parts such as a racing wheelset up to $500 per loss with a maximum of $1,000 for the policy term. Optional coverages add medical gap, uninsured motorist, personal liability, race, and worldwide protection.
- How much does road bike insurance cost?
- A Velosurance policy starts at $100 per year, roughly $9 a month, and the insured value of your bike drives the premium more than any other factor. Frame material, your location, how you ride, the deductible you choose, and the coverages you select set the exact number. Discounts bring it down further: insuring two bikes on one policy takes 10% off the bicycle coverage premium, three or more takes 15%, and active USA Cycling, USA Triathlon, and IMBA members earn another 10%.
- Is my carbon road bike covered if I crash?
- Yes. Crash damage is covered no matter the frame material, and carbon riders benefit most: carbon fiber is stronger than steel and aluminum yet less impact-resistant, so a side impact that lands the frame or a protruding component like the derailleur on pavement can total an otherwise healthy bike. The policy pays to repair the bike or replace it with one of like kind and quality if it is beyond repair. One thing to watch: cosmetic scratches that do not affect function are not covered.
- Is my road bike covered against theft away from home?
- Yes. Theft is covered at home and away: when left unattended in public, the bike must be locked to an immovable object such as a bike rack for coverage to be in effect. You can use any lock you trust, since the policy sets no lock brand or type requirement. Every theft claim requires a police report, so report the theft the same day.
- What happens if I am hit by a car?
- Damage to your bike is covered by the standard policy, so repair or replacement after a collision is taken care of from day one. Your own expenses are a different matter: medical gap coverage, which picks up the out-of-pocket deductible and copays left after your primary health insurance pays its share, and uninsured motorist coverage, which pays the medical and related expenses of a car-bicycle accident regardless of fault, are both optional coverages. They respond only if they were elected before the accident, so add them when you buy the policy if you ride on public roads.
- Does coverage extend to group rides and races?
- Yes. Group rides are covered under the standard policy, and adding optional race coverage insures crash damage while racing. Race coverage also brings entry fee reimbursement up to $500 and a $250 rental bike allowance for covered losses more than 50 miles from home. Theft from secure event areas such as a triathlon or race transition area is covered as well.
- Is my bike covered when I fly with it?
- Yes. Transit coverage is part of the standard policy: your bike is covered on your car rack, in the possession of an airline, or with a postal courier, including mistakes like driving into a low garage with the bike on the roof rack. Airlines have a reputation for being difficult with damage claims, so the policy pays instead of leaving you to argue with the carrier. For trips outside the US and Canada, optional worldwide coverage extends physical damage and theft protection to any country in the world, including while the bike is in transit with the airline.
- Does the policy cover Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric road bikes?
- Yes, all three classes are covered: Class 1 e-road bikes are pedal-assist only with a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph, Class 2 are throttle-assisted up to 20 mph, and Class 3 reach assisted speeds up to 28 mph. Every coverage available for a conventional road bike also applies to an electric road bike. That matters because electric bikes are three times more likely to be stolen than non-electric ones, so theft coverage does the heaviest lifting on an e-road policy.
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America's best road bike insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your road bike and yourself from the unexpected with America's best road bicycle insurance.