Whether it's fun or going to work without sweating too much, you need to ask yourself a basic question before getting on your ultra-fast bike or scooter: who pays the bill in the event of an accident or theft?
Am I covered by car or motorcycle insurance?
No. Your automobile or motorcycle insurance will not help you in the event of an accident riding an eBike. These are insurance policies for machines classified in the category of "motor land vehicles".
However, for insurers, electric-assisted bicycles are above all bicycles, that is to say that it is necessary to pedal so that they can move forward, therefore, as it is assimilated to a classic bicycle, the cyclist is also not required to have insurance, even if it is strongly recommended!
Can home insurance be used in the event of an accident?
Yes. It includes a civil liability guarantee which will cover you if you are responsible for damage caused to others, whether it is simple material damage or bodily injury (overturned pedestrians, etc.).
But, if you are the cause of an accident or fall on your own, chances are you will suffer physical damage as well. In this case, simple civil liability will do nothing for you.
This time it is on the side of individual accident insurance (school insurance, "life accident guarantees", etc.) that it will be necessary to look. They supplement the compensation of health insurance in the event of a major problem, preventing, for example, from going to work for many days.
What if you are the victim of theft?
Electrically assisted bicycles are expensive (on average 1,500 euros to buy, 2,500 or even 3,000 euros), so they are of interest to thieves. The comprehensive home insurance can only cover you against theft if the bike is stored at your place.
On the other hand, in the street, you must subscribe to an additional option with your insurer.
In the event of theft, the insurer will ask you to provide proof that you actually have an eBike (invoice, etc.), that it was secure (anti-theft purchase receipt, etc.) and that you are stolen (filing a complaint at the police station).