Key Takeaways
- You don’t have to own a car to need auto insurance.
- If walking or cycling is your main mode of transportation and you don’t own a car, a non-owner auto insurance policy can be one of the most effective and overlooked ways to safeguard your health and financial stability.
- Non-owner policies cover people, not vehicles. Coverage can include PIP, MedPay, and UM/UIM, all designed to protect you if you’re injured by a motor vehicle.
- Without adequate insurance, pedestrians and cyclists may be left holding the bill for medical costs and other expenses related to an accident with a motor vehicle.
- E-bike and e-scooter accidents remain a legal gray area. Because they are not always classified as motor vehicles, coverage is often limited and policy-dependent.
- Review your coverage regularly. Understanding your policy now can prevent devastating financial consequences later.
If you live, work, or play in Boston or any other busy metropolitan area, you already know that navigating city streets can be risky. Whether you’re walking to work or running a few errands, or cycling along Mass Ave or Comm Ave, cars, trucks, and buses are right there beside you, often uncomfortably close. Even the most cautious pedestrian or cyclist can be seriously hurt in the blink of an eye.
Every year, tens of thousands of pedestrians and cyclists in the United States are injured or killed in collisions with motor vehicles. And while many of those victims and their families can turn to their own auto insurance policies to help offset the financial burden associated with their injuries, those who don’t own their own vehicle often remain financially unprotected after an accident. Who knew that you could purchase car insurance even if you don’t own a car?
In fact, a little known insurance policy called Non-Owner Automobile Insurance is available to protect you even if you don’t own your own vehicle. If you are a frequent cyclist or pedestrian this type of insurance can be life-altering. While many people think about insurance as protecting themselves in the event they hurt somebody else, non-owner car insurance is a smart way to protect yourself if you are the one who’s been injured by a motor vehicle.
What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner auto insurance is typically marketed to individuals who drive regularly, but do not own a vehicle, for example, those who frequently rent or borrow cars. However, this type of policy also benefits non-owner pedestrians and cyclists who want additional protection in the event they are struck by a motor vehicle.
Unlike a standard auto policy, which is tied to a specific vehicle, a non-owner policy covers you personally. While most policies include coverage for bodily injury to others, and property damage liability, we strongly recommend purchasing additional coverage for Medical Payments and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. These coverages can help pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from a serious accident, regardless of whether you were driving, cycling, or walking at the time. And with the soaring costs of health care and medical treatments, it can be comforting to know that there is financial help available in case of serious injury.
The Most Important Coverage for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Medical Payments (MedPay)
MedPay can cover out-of-pocket medical expenses after an accident. It can help with deductibles, co-pays, and other costs that Personal Injury Protection coverage or health insurance won’t cover. We generally recommend a minimum of $25,000 in MedPay coverage, and many insurers offer higher limits for a modest increase in premium. This added protection ensures that if you are injured while walking or cycling, you have immediate access to funds for medical treatment without having to rely solely on your health insurance. This is especially important if certain types of health insurers place a health insurance lien on potential compensation you may receive for your injuries.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
Among the most critical components of any auto policy, including non-owner coverage, is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This protection applies if you are injured by a driver who either has no insurance or carries only the state-mandated minimum limits. In Massachusetts, that minimum is just $25,000 per person, an amount that rarely covers the medical costs and lost income associated with a serious injury. Unfortunately, Boston has plenty of drivers, including students and part-time residents, who only purchase the legal minimum.
By purchasing UIM coverage through a non-owner policy, you’re effectively setting your own minimum protection level. If you choose $100,000 or $250,000 in coverage, that’s the amount of available coverage, regardless of what the driver carries.
At Parker Scheer, we’ve seen too many cases where an injured party discovers that the person who hit them is un- or underinsured and has no significant assets to draw on to provide compensation. When that occurs, there is no meaningful recovery, which can be devastating for accident victims and their families. Having adequate UM/UIM protection through a non-owner policy ensures you are not left without options.
E-Bikes and E-Scooters: An Evolving Gray Area
As electric bicycles and motorized scooters become more common in Massachusetts, questions about insurance coverage have become increasingly complex. Serious accidents involving e-bikes and pedestrians continue to be reported and victims may look to their auto insurance for coverage. Under current law, however, both regular and non-owner auto insurance policies only apply when a “motor vehicle” causes the injury. At this time, typical pedal-assist e-bikes are not legally defined as a motor vehicle, and neither e-bikes nor scooters are required to carry insurance.
This means that if you are struck by an e-bike or motorized scooter, your auto-related coverage may not apply. Depending on the circumstances, the rider’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy could provide coverage, but this is highly dependent on each policy’s definitions and exclusions, and of course, whether they carry such insurance in the first place. As e-bikes and scooters continue to grow in popularity, insurance law will undoubtedly evolve accordingly. Until then, it is essential to review your own coverage carefully and understand where potential gaps may exist.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself
A non-owner auto insurance policy with as much MedPay and UM/UIM coverage as you can afford offers meaningful financial protection if you are injured by a motor vehicle while walking or cycling. The coverage can provide critical security when you need it most.
At Parker Scheer, we have seen the emotional and financial toll on victims who discover that they have no insurance coverage after a serious accident. We believe that the more individuals who carry auto insurance, whether through a traditional or non-owner policy, the better off everyone is. If you spend time walking or biking in Boston (or any busy city) and don’t own a car, a non-owner policy can be one of the most effective and overlooked ways to safeguard your health and financial stability.
Call an Experienced Pedestrian Accident and Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured by a motor vehicle while walking or cycling, call the experienced personal injury team at Parker Scheer. We have extensive expertise in both pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. We regularly work with every major insurance provider in Massachusetts and know how to secure significant financial compensation for you and your family.
Call the Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys at Parker Scheer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, call the experienced personal injury team at Parker Scheer. We regularly work with every major insurance provider in Massachusetts and know how to secure significant financial compensation for you and your family.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
