gon2fast Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 I have had something on the back of my mind for some time concerning our vehicles/hobby. We own a tremendous amount of liability when operating, charging and storing our wheels no matter how safe we assume they are. The concern that haunts me is the lack of vehicle insurance and what the outcome from a collision or combustion will be to an uninsured rider. There was recently a story about a EUC rider who had his wheel catch fire in NY. I don't want to get into the specifics of that story, but I do feel empathy for the rider as he can potentially be taken to court by a number of people now. The harsh reality is that this situation could happen to any of us. I have been denied entrance to mass transit via fears of lipo battery fire. At the time I was offended at the idea of a battery fire, "not a hoverboard", was my first thought/response. In reality, the responsibility for all liability fell on me and that was very sobering. I felt that if we were speeding down the highway on the bus and my wheel decided to explode it would be me trying to move a burning/explosive unit from the bus. That would not go over very well and financial/mental/physical repercussions are guaranteed... I want to get a discussion going around what can we do to protect ourselves. What are we currently doing to address this issue? And if you do not like what I am saying, tell me why - maybe it will enlighten me. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kens Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 EUC is still quite rare. I cannot think any way an insurance company could calculate how much risk should it takes from insuring our EUC to become profitable. There's just not enough data for EUC risk, at least for now. Everything is not guarantee. A really bad day could happen to anyone even the fully insured one. But then again a really good day can happen to anyone too I just appreciate that I'm happy while riding my wheel and try not to bother others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Wesh Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 2 hours ago, gon2fast said: I have had something on the back of my mind for some time concerning our vehicles/hobby. We own a tremendous amount of liability when operating, charging and storing our wheels no matter how safe we assume they are. The concern that haunts me is the lack of vehicle insurance and what the outcome from a collision or combustion will be to an uninsured rider. There was recently a story about a EUC rider who had his wheel catch fire in NY. I don't want to get into the specifics of that story, but I do feel empathy for the rider as he can potentially be taken to court by a number of people now. The harsh reality is that this situation could happen to any of us. I have been denied entrance to mass transit via fears of lipo battery fire. At the time I was offended at the idea of a battery fire, "not a hoverboard", was my first thought/response. In reality, the responsibility for all liability fell on me and that was very sobering. I felt that if we were speeding down the highway on the bus and my wheel decided to explode it would be me trying to move a burning/explosive unit from the bus. That would not go over very well and financial/mental/physical repercussions are guaranteed... I want to get a discussion going around what can we do to protect ourselves. What are we currently doing to address this issue? And if you do not like what I am saying, tell me why - maybe it will enlighten me. Thank you. Anything with a lithium ion battery can overheat and catch fire. Your laptop, your phone, your smart watch. It’s extremely unlikely but you shouldn’t worry it’ll happen to your EUC the same as you don’t worry it’ll happen to those devices. I imagine a recall would happen if enough devices caught fire, plus compensation. But not from one lone case of a model. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/possible-laptop-explode-66852.html i guess I fall into the “I don’t like what you’re saying” group because like it or not, everything around us with batteries could be a ticking time bomb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gon2fast Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 20 hours ago, Darrell Wesh said: Anything with a lithium ion battery can overheat and catch fire. Your laptop, your phone, your smart watch. It’s extremely unlikely but you shouldn’t worry it’ll happen to your EUC the same as you don’t worry it’ll happen to those devices. I am not speaking specifically to fire via battery malfunction (I just noted that a fire had been recently reported and I felt bad for the owner). I am speaking to any mishap such as hitting a pedestrian/pet/vehicle/structure, having your wheel turn on expectantly and cause damage, fall and have your wheel cause damage, etc... Be careful friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Wesh Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 44 minutes ago, gon2fast said: I am not speaking specifically to fire via battery malfunction (I just noted that a fire had been recently reported and I felt bad for the owner). I am speaking to any mishap such as hitting a pedestrian/pet/vehicle/structure, having your wheel turn on expectantly and cause damage, fall and have your wheel cause damage, etc... Be careful friend. ??? Same liability as if you were riding a bike. Bikes don’t have liability insurance. If you hit someone with your bike whatever happens is the same as if you hit them with your EUC. What exactly are you concerned about if not fires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hsiang Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 9 hours ago, Darrell Wesh said: ??? Same liability as if you were riding a bike. Bikes don’t have liability insurance. If you hit someone with your bike whatever happens is the same as if you hit them with your EUC. What exactly are you concerned about if not fires? I haven't looked into it more but I had seen ads for bike insurance, might make sense since some of us are now traveling at speed of cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NylahTay Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 I've actually thought of that myself. I think I'll wait until I'm required to get insurance (to ride on the street). The 49cc moped scooters don't need insurance here in Missouri, and I would think they would cause more damage during an accident than my wheel would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gon2fast Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 12 hours ago, Darrell Wesh said: ??? Same liability as if you were riding a bike. Bikes don’t have liability insurance. If you hit someone with your bike whatever happens is the same as if you hit them with your EUC. Bicycles are covered under homeowner's/renter's insurance (not just theft, liability issues as well). Insurance companies are starting to offer policies for MOTORIZED bicycles based on the additional risk of operating these vehicles. The "same as a bike" argument would only apply to a conventional unicycle. 13 hours ago, Darrell Wesh said: What exactly are you concerned about if not fires? I am concerned about getting sued for a minor, or major, mishap with no financial protection (insurance). If I could pay $5-$20 per month to get a liability policy I would be all for it. The other important component with having a insurance policy is the fact that the insurance company handles all of dirty work when a claim is filed. DW - Even though I do not agree with your stance, I do appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Wesh Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 14 minutes ago, gon2fast said: Bicycles are covered under homeowner's/renter's insurance (not just theft, liability issues as well). Insurance companies are starting to offer policies for MOTORIZED bicycles based on the additional risk of operating these vehicles. The "same as a bike" argument would only apply to a conventional unicycle. I am concerned about getting sued for a minor, or major, mishap with no financial protection (insurance). If I could pay $5-$20 per month to get a liability policy I would be all for it. The other important component with having a insurance policy is the fact that the insurance company handles all of dirty work when a claim is filed. DW - Even though I do not agree with your stance, I do appreciate it. Well well, did some digging through my own homeowners insurance policy and I am covered from theft anywhere, and have liability insurance up to 100k if I injure someone or cause property damage on my bike. Didn’t know that. Nice! I wonder if it extends to my e bikes or if my auto insurance covers that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gon2fast Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 That sounds better than what I have for my homeowner's insurance, congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Wesh Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 11 minutes ago, gon2fast said: That sounds better than what I have for my homeowner's insurance, congrats. Sucks that I hardly ride my manual bicycles anymore though 😄 I doubt it covers my electric bikes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.