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E-Bike Delivery Driver Insurance: Is it Worth it?
E-bikes have changed transportation and the way that deliveries are made. Courier businesses and other delivery services have increasingly turned to e-bikes to help riders navigate busy city streets. These vehicles are street-legal, but they operate differently than standard bicycles. A business could have legal risk and exposure if an e-bike driver is involved in an accident. The same holds true if you are an individual rider who owns an E-bike for recreational or transportation purposes. Thus, it would be worthwhile to consider e-bike insurance.
E-bikes have become wildly popular. Sales more than doubled from 2017 to 2021. Cities are attempting to minimize traffic by incentivizing delivery services to use E-bikes. However, state laws have not yet caught up to provide for effective regulation of how E-bikes can ride.
E-Bikes Have a Higher Severe Accident Risk
An E-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor to make it easier to pedal. Most of these bikes can reach 20 miles per hour, while one class of E-bike can reach speeds approaching 30 miles per hour. E-bikes can weave in and out of traffic, as the rider does their best to make deliveries on time. E-bikes are in traffic just like any other vehicle. Just because an E-Bike is not a car does not mean there is less risk of an accident. When an accident does occur, it is often severe or fatal.
Liability Insurance for an E-Bike Accident
It is essential to have liability insurance in case the E-bike rider causes an accident. If another driver is involved, your business could be responsible for their cost without an insurance policy. In addition, your business could also suffer a loss when the products you were delivering are damaged in an accident. You should have insurance to cover the damage to the bike itself because E-bikes can range up to $10,000 and are expensive to repair.
E-bike insurance coverage may not come cheap because some companies consider these vehicles high-risk. However, coverage is a must because of the possibility of an accident.
You Can Suffer Other Damages in an E-Bike Accident
In addition to insurance to cover accidents, you may also need insurance for the bike. There have been numerous safety concerns related to the lithium-ion battery itself. These batteries have been known to catch fire, potentially injuring the rider.
Finally, you would need coverage to pay costs related to your injuries. E-bike accident injuries can be even more severe than those you may suffer in a bicycle accident. First, the bicycle is traveling at a higher speed. Second, the E-bike is heavier than a standard bike, meaning you could suffer more severe injuries in a fall.
An E-Bike Accident Case Can Be Difficult
E-bike accidents can be complicated when assigning liability. Given the complexity of the bike, there is a chance that the e-bike manufacturer could be at fault for the accident. However, even if the E-bike malfunctioned, you could be partly liable. You could also be liable if an automobile driver was injured in an E-bike accident.
You should speak with a lawyer after any E-Bike accident to help resolve legal issues.
Contact our New Jersey Insurance Lawyers at Herold Law, P.A. Today
Our New Jersey insurance lawyers at Herold Law, P.A. can help you with complex E-bike insurance coverage issues. To schedule a consultation, call us at 908-679-5011 or contact us online. With offices in the Plainfield area, including Warren, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients across New Jersey.
