Cycling 2 work = self inflicted injury?

[mr_dombat]

I've found out my employer offers no sickness cover except legal minimum. As the breadwinner I feel I should get some accident and sickness insurance.

I read the small print on some of them and they state you're not covered if it is self inflicted.

I rang the helpline and said I rode to work and what would 'self inflicted' mean (e.g cycle into a tree or cycle in the snow and crash).

They couldn't answer, but insurance companies always get out of paying. Has anyone had to claim on this kind of policy after an incident on a bike and did you have any problems?

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

But how about if you crashed your car on the way to work? the same?

 

[Norm]

Self-inflicted generally requires a level of intention. I would be very surprised if an insurance company even tried to get out of a claim on accident insurance because they claim that the incident was an accident.

 

[ianrauk]

Sign up to the CTC or LCC or BC for insurance.

 

[Norm]

That's a good point. £39 for annual CTC membership including 3rd party and legal cover.

 

[ufkacbln]

As above, it is worthwhile covering yourself.

Also look at the definition of what the work insurance covers, as it may actually be a requirement that you are being remunerated for the time.

In the simplest terms if you are cycling or driving between two sites for Company Purposes and in Company time, then you are being paid and covered by H&S, and insurance. You may for instance have to obey the Company "Driving at Work Policy". The Company must ensure that your driving license is valid and the vehicle has valid MOT and Insurance for instance

Commuting is normally an exception with no obligation to carry out such checks

YOu may find that for this reason you re not covered anyway.

 

[srw]

Sign up to the CTC or LCC or BC for insurance.

Not much help to the OP, I'm afraid - he wants sickness cover.

 

[Norm]

Not much help to the OP, I'm afraid - he wants sickness cover.

Partly correct.

...I feel I should get some accident and sickness insurance.

 

[srw]

Partly correct.

Pedant. It's the sickness cover that's more important - and more expensive. In any case, third party liability cover (which is what BC, CTC et al offer) is not accident or sickness cover.

 

[Norm]

Pedant.

Indeed, and pedants (who tell others that their posts are "not much help") never do like being proved wrong. In other words "Pedant, yes, but you started it"

As an aside, I'd already said ...

... CTC membership including 3rd party and legal cover.

... and legal cover certainly could help if Mr Dombat's insurers claimed a cycling accident was self-inflicted.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

The cover offered by his employer would be Statutory Sick Pay; there is no legal requirement to offer employees "sickness cover" as such.

The cover offered by CTC etc is for the OP liability to other people for any injury or damage he might cause and for legal services to recover damages from someone for any injury or damage they have caused to the OP.

The OP requires either Personal Accident and/or Income Protection insurance. The former pays a fixed benefit in the event of a defined injury, ie broken arm - £250; the latter pays a benefit for the duration that the OP is unable to work through injury or illness.

Commonly, such insurances exclude, for obvious reasons, self-inflicted injuries (and pregnancy). Intention or reckless negligence would determine whether or not it was considered self-inflicted.

Insurance companies do not "...always get out of paying"; too often insurance is bought on the basis of cost with little consideration as to exactly what is required, on the assumption that the insurance covers everything. A cheap policy will have more narrow cover and more exclusions.

I suggest that an insurance broker, rather than a cycling forum, is the best place to get advice on a complicated, legally binding contract.

 

[mr_dombat]

Yeah I'm already in the CTC but their insurance is only liability.

I also asked the insurance company if I jumped a red light in a car and crashed, would that be self inflicted. They said that if my car insurnace deemed it my fault then it would be self inflicted!

Jimmy the Whiskers- I don't like brokers of any kind, all they want is their commission and not good advice. I worked in a large mortage & insurance network and could see the FSA failing, the brokers ripping everyone off and the banking crisis comming years in advance. The whole industry stinks, which is why a cycling forum is probably the best place for advice!

 

[fossyant]

There is no reason why you can't cycle to work, and get sickness/injury cover. Try one of the better insurance companies (or indeed that via retail outlets - M&S etc.)

 

[Flying Dodo]

Yeah I'm already in the CTC but their insurance is only liability.

Jimmy the Whiskers- I don't like brokers of any kind, all they want is their commission and not good advice. I worked in a large mortage & insurance network and could see the FSA failing, the brokers ripping everyone off and the banking crisis comming years in advance. The whole industry stinks, which is why a cycling forum is probably the best place for advice!

Find a fee charging firm, rather than one that relies on commission.

 

[mcshroom]

... and while we are on it, why would you ever go through a red light?