By Taisuke Takeda / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff WriterSome of you might have began using bicycles to commute to work or school this spring. However, if you cause an accident while riding a bicycle, you might be held liable for a considerable amount of damages. Bicycle insurance is one option. You may want to study whether it is worth taking out.
Accidents on the rise
Accidents caused by bicycles have increased recently. According to the National Police Agency, there were 2,551 traffic accidents nationwide in 2014 between bicycles and pedestrians that caused death or injuries. The number was up 40 percent from 2000.
If a bicycle rider collides with a pedestrian and causes major injuries, there is a risk of becoming liable for a large amount of damages.
In 2008, a 62-year-old Kobe woman was hit and rendered bedridden by a bicycle whose rider was an 11-year-old primary school boy. A court ordered the boy’s mother to pay the victim about ¥95 million in damages.
Subsequently, bicycle insurance has attracted a lot of attention around the country. For instance, Hyogo Prefecture in March made an ordinance obliging bicycle riders to purchase an insurance policy.
Bicycle insurance largely comes in two types: an insurance policy marketed by private property-casualty insurance companies and an insurance policy symbolized by the “TS mark” seal stuck to bicycles at bicycle shops.
Insurance policies by damage insurance firms can be inexpensive, starting at several hundred yen per month, and many such products can be bought via the Internet or at convenience stores.
For example, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co.’s bicycle insurance policy can be purchased at multifunction copy machines at Seven-Eleven convenience stores. After choosing to buy a policy as an individual, husband and wife or family, one only needs to follow displayed instructions to enter the required information. And with liability protection up to ¥100 million, the coverage is generous. The insurance premium is paid at the cash register of the convenience store.
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- The Yomiuri Shimbun
Recommended by shops
On the other hand, accident insurance with the TS mark is facilitated by Japan Traffic Management Technology Association and operated by private property-casualty insurance companies.
When purchasing a bicycle or when receiving repair or inspection work at a shop serviced by a mechanics certified by the association, the TS mark is applied, and one is automatically covered by the insurance.
As the insurance applies to the bicycle itself, it covers not only its owner but also family members and friends who ride the bicycle.
Depending on the conditions of the liability coverage, the marks are divided into two kinds: “blue” and “red.” The red-mark liability coverage limit for accidents causing death or severe physical impediment was raised from ¥20 million to ¥50 million in October 2014.
And bicycle shops are now also encouraging people to take out bicycle insurance.
Industry leader Asahi Co., with about 400 shops nationwide, conducted a campaign from late February to early April for new bicycle purchasers, giving them free bicycle insurance coverage for three months provided by au Insurance Co. Bicycle riders are also recommended to acquire the red TS mark for ¥2,160 a year, including inspection fees and consumption tax.
Automobile insurance, fire insurance, incidental insurance for credit cards, etc., may have special provisions that provide coverage for personal liability insurance in the event another person is injured in daily life, including bicycle accidents. In principle, one contract will apply to all family members.
If you are already covered for bicycle accidents in your enrolled policy, the need to enroll in any new insurance policy is reduced. Prospective subscribers are recommended to carefully check contract information
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