Bicycles and UIM Coverage...Why do I Need Auto Insurance if I Ride a Bike?

Michael Myers

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 580

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I recently read about a hit and run accident at another blogger's site:

A bicyclist was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries Tuesday after a hit-and-run collision on Beacon Hill.

The collision happened about 1:50 p.m. near 21st Avenue South and South College Street.

The preliminary investigation determined a person driving a navy-blue 1980s-model Oldsmobile Cutlass or Chevrolet with a white top drove into the oncoming traffic lane to pass another vehicle at a stop sign.

Police said the person ran the stop sign going northbound on 21st Avenue South and hit the 20-year-old cyclist, sending him into the air.

We've had a spate of hit and run incidents in Seattle recently. (One of the comments at the original post makes the good point that a hit and run incident is not an accident: the collision may have been an accident but the decision to drive off was a purposeful choice.) It highlights the importance of purchasing UIM coverage when renew your auto insurance even if you spend most of your time riding a bike.

When there is a hit and run incident and its timely reported to the police, a cyclist's UIM coverage will provide the same benefits as the driver's insurance (had the driver done the honorable thing and stayed at the scene to assist the injured cyclist).

UIM coverage is only available as part of auto insurance. Do you think that bicyclists should be able to purchase UIM coverage without having an auto policy?