What insurance guarantees for my bike in Quebec?

What insurance guarantees for my bike in Quebec?


In Quebec, cycling is booming. In fact, with the Covid pandemic that affected the province from March 2020, the bicycle has established itself as an ideal means of transport compared to public transport.

Are you the proud owner of a bicycle in Quebec, and wondering how to activate insurance protection for your bicycle?

This guide to bike insurance is for you. There you will find all the useful information on bike insurance: the price of bike insurance, guarantees included, electric bike insurance, bike theft insurance and much more.

Summary

    Is there specific bicycle insurance in Quebec?
    Is it compulsory to take out bicycle or electric bicycle insurance in Quebec?
    Bicycle accident, what insurance to activate in Quebec?
    What insurance should you request in the event of a bicycle theft?
    Does my home insurance cover my bicycle liability?
    What bicycle insurance with Desjardins?
    What is the price of bicycle insurance in Quebec?
    How do I take out the right insurance for my electric bicycle?
    Should I pay a deductible if I activate my bike insurance?

Is there specific bicycle insurance in Quebec?

For the time being, there is no specific bicycle insurance for this type of machine in Quebec. In fact, claims involving cyclists are mainly covered in two ways:

    By SAAQ bodily injury insurance when a motor vehicle is involved in the incident
    By home insurance for material damage to the bike (theft, breakage, damage)
    By home insurance also with regard to the liability of the cyclist.

With the coverage of claims involving bicycles by these two insurance products, genuine integrated bicycle insurance is slow to emerge in Quebec. In fact, the best protection to offer for your bike and yourself is home insurance, the prices of which we invite you to shop with our comparator accessible via the button below:

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Is it compulsory to take out bicycle or electric bicycle insurance in Quebec?

No, taking out electric bike insurance is not mandatory in Quebec either. In fact, the use of bicycles is - in theory - not allowed on public roads and highways - although regulations are in the process of evolving on the subject.

Thus, it is not impossible that in the future, electric bike insurance will become compulsory, but this is not the case for the moment.
Bicycle accident, what insurance to activate in Quebec?

In Quebec, any accident resulting from the use of a motor vehicle is covered by personal injury insurance from the SAAQ. Thus, as a cyclist, if you are hit by a motor vehicle registered with the SAAQ, the SAAQ's insurance will apply, whether or not you are responsible for the incident.

The same rule also applies to pedestrians. To find out more about the SAAQ's skills, see our series of guides on the subject.
What insurance should you request in the event of a bicycle theft?

There is no specific bike theft insurance in Quebec. In fact, this is usually a guarantee that applies to a home insurance policy. In general, “all-risk” home insurance plans include a maximum reimbursement amount in the event of bicycle theft, which will also include items used on the bicycle (child seat, luggage rack, helmet, etc.). So be sure to take a good look at your home insurance policy, and see if this coverage applies.

If the maximum reimbursement amount for your home insurance bicycle theft guarantee seems too low - when you own a high-value electric bicycle, for example, your best bet is to contact your insurer to raise this limit.
Does my home insurance cover my bicycle liability?

While riding your bicycle, you may cause bodily injury or property damage to others. In this case, your civil liability may be incurred if the person who suffered the damage seeks compensation. In this case, your home insurance liability will cover you.

Let's take an example: you lose control of your bike, and injure an elderly person who passes by. Or you mow down a florist's stall and make half of their merchandise unsaleable. In both cases, your home insurance liability insurance will cover the damage. This is why it is very important to take out insurance