What it covers and how to buy it

Electric bike insurance probably isn’t top of mind when you hit the road on a new set of wheels. You’re probably more focused on exploring new terrain, reducing your carbon footprint, or getting exercise while you commute.

Generally, e-bike insurance isn’t required by law, but going without e-bike insurance could leave you with several coverage gaps. Fortunately, e-bike policies are affordable, and you can usually buy coverage online. Read on to learn how e-bike insurance works, what’s typically covered, and how to buy it.

Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained

There’s no uniform definition of e-bikes, but an e-bike is typically defined as an electric bicycle with a battery and an electric motor to help with pedaling that doesn’t exceed 750 watts.

Most states treat e-bikes as regular bicycles. Regulations surrounding e-bikes are still evolving, but the majority of states currently use the following three-category classification system:

• Class I: Can reach speeds of 20 mph, but the battery and motor only kick in when the rider is pedaling. Also known as pedal-assist bikes, this is the most common type of e-bike.

• Class II: Also reaches speeds of up to 20 mph. Though Class II bikes offer pedal assistance, they also have a throttle that you can use without pedaling.

• Class III: Can reach speeds of up to 28 mph with assistance from the battery and motor when the rider is pedaling. Some state and local governments place additional restrictions on Class III bikes, like requiring helmets or a minimum age for operators.

Registration and licensing usually aren’t required in states that use this classification system. However, a handful of states have their own definitions of e-bikes and sometimes have additional regulations.

E-bike insurance is a specialty type of insurance that provides financial protection against the risks associated with owning or operating an electronic bicycle.

Policies may include coverage for:

• Theft or damage to your bike

• Physical injuries you incur

• Liability claims if you hurt someone else or damage their property

• Damages if you’re struck by an uninsured/underinsured motorist

It’s usually sold as a stand-alone policy, meaning it’s not tied to another policy. However, you may have the option to add extra coverage for your e-bike through a homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy.

Most stand-alone policies cover physical damage and theft of your bike. Depending on the insurer, you may be able to add other coverages, like medical payments and liability insurance protection.

Because most states regulate electric bikes in the same way they do traditional bicycles, you aren’t typically required to register your e-bike or carry insurance. However, the specifications of your e-bike are important. If your ride falls outside your state’s definition of an e-bike — for example, if it has more than 750 watts of power — your state may treat your bike as a moped, which could trigger registration and insurance requirements. Some states that don’t use the three-class system have narrower definitions of e-bikes.

Your e-bike may already be partially covered against some damages and theft by homeowners insurance or renters insurance under the personal belongings section. For example, if your e-bike was damaged by a fire or an act of vandalism or if someone breaks into your home and steals it, your home insurance may kick in after you’ve paid your deductible.

However, some home and renters policies exclude bikes with an electric motor from coverage. Those that do cover damage or theft often have sublimits for specific types of property that may be too low to cover the full cost of replacing your e-bike. Moreover, homeowners and renters policies are unlikely to cover damage that occurs while you’re out riding.

Coverage options vary by carrier, but e-bike insurance often provides protections similar to auto insurance. Here are some common types of coverage:

Learn more: Best car insurance companies

Comprehensive and collision insurance

Comprehensive insurance kicks in if your electronic bike is damaged from something other than a crash (though collisions with animals are covered), like a weather event. It also helps with repair or replacement costs if your e-bike is stolen or vandalized.

Collision insurance covers your e-bike if it’s damaged in a crash, regardless of fault. Both types of coverage require an insurance deductible before the policy pays out.

While auto insurance typically reimburses you according to your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) if it’s totaled, insurance companies often base e-bike reimbursement on the price you paid for the bicycle without factoring in depreciation. You can often include some accessories and custom parts in this calculation.

Learn more: What happens when your car is totaled?

Like auto liability insurance, e-bike liability insurance covers you if you’re at fault in an accident. This coverage could help you with legal claims if you injure someone else or damage their property while riding.

Learn more: Liability-only vs. full coverage car insurance: Which is better for you?

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage helps with medical bills if you or someone else is injured in an accident. Although most health insurance will cover e-bike injuries, medical payments coverage can help with out-of-pocket costs, like copays and deductibles.

Learn more: Does car insurance cover car accidents?

Vehicle contact protection is basically uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. It kicks in if you’re in a crash with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient liability insurance.

If your e-bike breaks down or is damaged while you’re riding it, roadside assistance transports your bike to a nearby repair shop.

The following companies offer e-bike insurance, but this list isn’t all-inclusive. Check with an insurance agent for more options in your location.

BikeInsure offers policies that cover damages to e-bikes incurred from accidents or in transit. As of late October 2025, policies were $16.99 per month, and theft protection is an additional $8 monthly. Medical payments and liability coverages aren’t available.

Lemonade doesn’t offer stand-alone e-bike policies, but it offers a scheduled property endorsement for Class I and III e-bikes as an add-on to its home and renters policies.

The company’s standard homeowners and renters policies already provide limited coverage for many e-bikes if they’re damaged by a covered peril or stolen. However, the add-on gives you coverage for scenarios like accidental damage to the e-bike. You can’t add other types of e-bike insurance, like medical payments coverage, to a Lemonade policy.

Learn more: Lemonade pet insurance review 2025

Markel offers e-bike insurance policies starting at $100 annually. Policies include coverage for e-bike damage resulting from accidents or transit (including coverage for spare parts and riding apparel) and theft protection. You can buy liability protection, vehicle contact protection, medical payments coverage, and roadside assistance as add-ons.

Markel is also the underwriter for several insurance companies’ e-bike policies, including GEICO, USAA, and bicycle specialty insurer Velosurance.

Learn more: GEICO auto insurance review

Progressive provides e-bike insurance, though insurance for Class III e-bikes may not be available in all states. Liability-only coverage starts at $75 annually, but you can buy various add-ons, including comprehensive and collision insurance, medical payments coverage, carried contents coverage, and roadside assistance.

Learn more: Progressive car insurance review

Sundays’ e-bike insurance starts at $8 per month, though your actual premium depends on the value of your bike. Policies cover accidental and transit-related damage, theft, vandalism, and reimbursement for taxi fares. You can purchase additional coverage designed for racers as well as coverage for accessories, custom parts, and wheel sets. Standard coverage includes $1,000 in medical payments insurance, but additional coverage for injuries and liability coverage isn’t available.

The process of buying e-bike insurance is pretty similar to purchasing car insurance. Many insurers let you buy e-bike insurance online and also give you the option to speak to a representative by phone.

You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself, such as your name, date of birth, address, and how you typically use your e-bike. Applications also ask for your bike’s make, model, year, and purchase price.

To file an e-bike insurance claim, you’ll follow the same basic steps you’d take to file an auto insurance claim. You can usually file a claim online or by phone.

You’ll need to provide your name, contact information, policy number, and a detailed description of what happened. You may be asked to provide supporting documentation, including photographs, as well as witness statements. You might also need to provide evidence that you followed required protocols, like securing your e-bike with an insurer-approved lock, as well as receipts to show how much you originally paid for the bicycle.

If your claim is approved, your deductible will be subtracted from your payout. You can then use the insurance payment to repair or replace your e-bike.

To find out whether your e-bike insurance will cover damages if a friend or family member is operating your bike with your permission, check your insurance documents to see if it’s a permissive use policy. If you’re not clear on the rules, check with your insurer before you let someone borrow your e-bike.

E-bike insurance policies typically start at around $100 per year, but the exact cost depends on several factors, including your bike’s value and any add-ons you choose.

Your homeowners insurance dwelling coverage may pay out if your e-bike’s battery causes fire damage; however, your claim could be denied if your insurer believes the fire resulted from negligence. For example, if you used a charger that wasn’t approved by the manufacturer and the battery overheated and caught fire, your insurer could say you were negligent and deny the claim. Your liability coverage could help cover the costs if your e-bike causes a fire that damages a neighboring home or unit. Be sure to check your policy documents for any exclusions that pertain to e-bikes.

Tim Manni edited this article