I was in the bike lane. A sedan swerved, clipped my handlebars, sent me flying, and sped off. I had a broken wrist and a taco’d wheel. Since I couldn’t get the driver’s insurance, I thought I was on my own for the $5,000 medical bill. Then my lawyer asked, “Do you have car insurance?”
Key Takeaways
- The UM/UIM Secret: Your Auto Insurance “Uninsured Motorist” (UM) bodily injury coverage often follows you, not just your car. It covers you as a pedestrian or cyclist if hit by a car.
- The Bike is Property: UM coverage usually pays for your injuries (medical, lost wages). It rarely pays for the damage to the bike (Property Damage UM is rarer/specific).
- Hit and Run = Uninsured: If the driver flees and isn’t caught, they are treated as an “uninsured motorist” by your policy.
- Police Report Mandatory: You cannot claim Hit and Run without a police report filed within 24 hours.
The “Why” (Person vs. Vehicle)
Auto insurance protects you from bad drivers. It doesn’t matter if you were walking, biking, or driving when the bad driver hit you.
“We will pay damages… that an insured is legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle.”
The Investigation: Cross-Policy Coverage
I verified this with auto carriers.
1. State Farm Auto
- Scenario: Hit on a bike.
- Coverage: Yes. Medical bills paid up to policy limits (
100k/100k/300k). - Bike Damage: No. (Unless you have specific UMPD – Uninsured Motorist Property Damage, and the state allows it for bikes).
2. Health Insurance
- Scenario: Broken wrist.
- Coverage: Yes, but you pay deductibles/copays. Auto UM coverage can reimburse you for those copays + pain and suffering.
3. Standalone Bike Policy
- Scenario: Hit and run.
- Coverage: Pays for the bike replacement. Usually has “Medical Payments” to help with the immediate deductible.
Comparison Table
| Expense | Health Insurance | Auto Insurance (UM) | Bike Insurance |
| ER Bill | Yes | Yes (Primary or Excess) | Limited (MedPay) |
| Lost Wages | No | Yes | No |
| Pain & Suffering | No | Yes | No |
| Bike Replacement | No | No (Usually) | Yes |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Call Police Immediately: Even if you think you are “fine.” Adrenaline hides injuries. You need the report for the UM claim.
- Call Your Auto Agent: Open a claim. Tell them “I was a pedestrian/cyclist hit by a vehicle.” Do not be afraid your rates will go up; usually, they don’t for non-at-fault UM claims.
- Preserve Evidence: Photos of the scene, your injuries, and the bike.
FAQ
What if I don’t own a car?
Then you don’t have Auto UM coverage. You are reliant on Health Insurance and Standalone Bike Insurance (MedPay).
What if the driver stayed but has low insurance?
“Underinsured Motorist” (UIM) kicks in. If they have $25k limits and your bills are $100k, your UIM pays the rest.
[IMAGE: Graphic showing the flow of coverage: Hit by Car -> Auto UM Policy -> Medical Bills Paid]