Bike accident

[TokyoBoglehead]

Still waiting on the insurance company and their chosen agent/3rd party company to come take photos of the bike damage and interview me. Arranged for Monday 8th as they won’t do any earlier. So can’t even get the bike fixed before then.
Thankfully my friend called the bike shop and asked them if I was able to get a temp bike as being without a bike for that length of time is ridiculous as use it everyday to get to and from work. Luckily they gave me one without question, or even paperwork to my absolute shock (and delight!).

On the topic of bike insurance, I don’t really understand insurance anyway, so I hope someone can help me, a simple working class pleb.
Does bike insurance usually just cover the health costs? Or does it usually include bike damages too? Cause I’d kind of like one that covers both given the situation.
Or is it not worth it?
Is Rakuten bike insurance good enough for my needs (minus the bike damage from what I understand)?
Their couple plan would be nice for me and my wife.
I just honestly find insurance stuff absolutely impenetrable. Sorry.

So bicycle insurance is indeed a bit of a misnomer, it's basically personal liability insurance. It can also cover unrelated incidents, for instance if you have a family cycle insurance policy, and your son breaks a window with a baseball, most policies would cover this. As, again, it is really general liability insurance.

It covers you against incurring costs due to to injuring another party or yourself, property damage and personal damages.

Some plans also offer representation if a case goes to court.

Basically, you're probably legally required to have it, just signup for something like Rakuten, put it on auto renewal (3000 yen per year), and forget about it. Also be sure to check on that Fire/renters insurance, it's about the same cost yearly.

[KCLenny]

Still waiting on the insurance company and their chosen agent/3rd party company to come take photos of the bike damage ...

Sure, but I think I'd have taken it into your bike shop--have them do their own assessment of what it would take to make your bike "whole".

Tho it may look to you like 'just the front wheel', a bike mechanic should be able to look thoroughly for frame misalignment (something bent) and any cracks (especially if it's aluminum, which cracks, and not steel, which instead bends). Steel can be bent back, it's forgiving that way. Aluminum, OTOH, if it does bend and is not cracked, should not be bent back, and if it's bent/cracked, it should be replaced.

Given that you have a good bike shop, they are the experts, they likely have seen and handled damaged bikes before (experience), and they can credibly assess any problems.

If possible, have their assessment at hand when someone comes to take pictures. You then may be able to point at places they may gloss over--an area around the head tube, the top or down tubes, and so on.

Or, leave the bike at your shop, and have them go there to look it over in the presence of a mechanic.

Once your bike shop does their assessment, the insurance company may go with that instead of paying for their own agent/3rd party to do it.

I think maybe there’s been a misunderstanding. The bike shop has had my bike since the accident. I am meeting the insurance company (3rd party I believe) today for both an interview and so they can take a photo of the damage. I had a call from the shop yesterday to say the mitsumori/quote is ready.

[quote=KCLenny post_id=30070 time=<a href="tel:1682929296">1682929296</a> user_id=2479]
Still waiting on the insurance company and their chosen agent/3rd party company to come take photos of the bike damage and interview me. Arranged for Monday 8th as they won’t do any earlier. So can’t even get the bike fixed before then.
Thankfully my friend called the bike shop and asked them if I was able to get a temp bike as being without a bike for that length of time is ridiculous as use it everyday to get to and from work. Luckily they gave me one without question, or even paperwork to my absolute shock (and delight!).

On the topic of bike insurance, I don’t really understand insurance anyway, so I hope someone can help me, a simple working class pleb.
Does bike insurance usually just cover the health costs? Or does it usually include bike damages too? Cause I’d kind of like one that covers both given the situation.
Or is it not worth it?
Is Rakuten bike insurance good enough for my needs (minus the bike damage from what I understand)?
Their couple plan would be nice for me and my wife.
I just honestly find insurance stuff absolutely impenetrable. Sorry.

So bicycle insurance is indeed a bit of a misnomer, it's basically personal liability insurance. It can also cover unrelated incidents, for instance if you have a family cycle insurance policy, and your son breaks a window with a baseball, most policies would cover this. As, again, it is really general liability insurance.

It covers you against incurring costs due to to injuring another party or yourself, property damage and personal damages.

Some plans also offer representation if a case goes to court.

Basically, you're probably legally required to have it, just signup for something like Rakuten, put it on auto renewal (3000 yen per year), and forget about it. Also be sure to check on that Fire/renters insurance, it's about the same cost yearly.
[/quote]
Thanks for that. I’ll probably just go for Rakuten then. Stupid name though (same as residence tax!). I honestly have no idea about fire insurance or renters insurance. I live in a UR danchi and don’t remember having to pay any fire insurance.

[TokyoBoglehead]

. I live in a UR danchi and don’t remember having to pay any fire insurance.

Just like with cycle insurance it's your responsibility to get it sorted.

[KCLenny]

. I live in a UR danchi and don’t remember having to pay any fire insurance.

Just like with cycle insurance it's your responsibility to get it sorted.

Is that a legal requirement too?
I just assumed that if you had to have it they’d have made you at the time. They did in my old apartment.
Plus this danchi is solid concrete so figured it’d be less of a fire risk. I can’t afford a million different insurances. That’s why I’m in a danchi and cycle to work every day.

[TokyoBoglehead]

. I live in a UR danchi and don’t remember having to pay any fire insurance.

Just like with cycle insurance it's your responsibility to get it sorted.

Is that a legal requirement too?
I just assumed that if you had to have it they’d have made you at the time. They did in my old apartment.
Plus this danchi is solid concrete so figured it’d be less of a fire risk. I can’t afford a million different insurances. That’s why I’m in a danchi and cycle to work every day.

Helmet - Legally mandatory
Bicycle insurance - Legally mandatory in most prefectures
Fire Insurance - Mandated in most rental contracts, guarenteer contracts and mortgage agreements. Not strictly mandatory but considered essential.

Both policies can be found for 3000 yen yearly or less, so call it 500 yen a month, or 16 yen a day for the pair.

You make your own judgement.

[ClearAsMud]

Just to add, UR explains on this page that it doesn't mandate fire insurance for its rentals, although it recommends obtaining it and insurance companies are eager to point out that renters might be held liable for damage caused by fires originating in their apartments. It's the renter's decision to make.

[TJKansai]

We pay ¥300/month to cover family for bicycle accidents (Saison credit card plan).

I have had three accidents, all involving kids ages 10-17 going around a corner on the wrong side of the road. Twice I bit the dust to avoid them. Once we had a head-on. The 17yr old's house was nearby, and his mother suggested we just pay for our own damage (front wheel for both bikes). I think she knew her son was more likely than not at fault.

A turning truck hit my son (who was on a bicycle), and almost two years later it is still under negotiation. Should be 90-10 but they are really dragging their feet.

[Deep Blue]

Sounds like I should set up insurance. We have five bicycle users and I’m confident my wife and I won’t get into accidents but our children are a different matter, especially as they become more independent.

Can anyone recommend a family plan that’s easy to sign up for online?

[TokyoBoglehead]

I’m confident my wife and I won’t get into accidents ....

How? You cannot predict the irrational actions of others.

Can anyone recommend a family plan that’s easy to sign up for online?

Easy and cheap, Rakuten 6000 yen for the whole family. There may be better option though, check kakaku.

[captainspoke]

Sounds like I should set up insurance. We have five bicycle users and I’m confident my wife and I won’t get into accidents but our children are a different matter, especially as they become more independent.

Can anyone recommend a family plan that’s easy to sign up for online?

I got specific cycle insurance yesterday ... https://www.hokencontract.jp/jtsa-bicycle/
...

Plan C or Plan F (scroll down) for family cover.