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Car insurance claims for injuries involving cyclists and pedestrians has increased from around one in 10 to one in five in recent months. The sudden increase has seen insurance company More Than urge drivers to take extra care on the roads to avoid being caught out.
It said the increase is largely due to an increase in cyclists on the road since lockdown restrictions were put into place.
It reveals that 1.3million Brits purchased a bike during lockdown to keep fit and avoid public transport, which has equated to a greater road risk.
And in a shocking revelation, More Than warned the number of accidents could continue to rise.
The government’s new ”Fix Your Bike” voucher scheme aimed at tackling obesity could encourage other drivers to use their bikes.
The first batch of £50 vouchers were so popular it crashed the Energy Saving Trust website in a stark warning to motorists,
Gareth Davies, Head of Car insurance at More Than warned drivers to take “extra precautions” to avoid cyclists on the roads.
He warned road users should give bikes “plenty of space” to ensure there is a larger “margin for error” to avoid accidents.
He also urged cyclists to ensure they were wearing a helmet or reflective clothing and to be extra cautious of cars trying to get past.
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Mr Davies said: “Bike sales have boomed during lockdown as Britons are looking to stay active and avoid public transport. But unfortunately, our data shows this has prompted an increase in car insurance claims for injured cyclists.
“As drivers, it’s really important to take extra precautions now that there are more cyclists on the road.
“Indicate clearly and give yourself and cyclists plenty of space to manoeuvre so that, if anything unexpected occurs, there is more margin for error.
“Junctions and blind corners are also hot spots when it comes to accidents with cyclists, so be extra careful and slow down when navigating these tricky turns.
“For cyclists, please wear a helmet and bright or reflective clothing – it could save your life. It is also important to use cycle lanes where possible and be extra wary of the cars around you, giving them plenty of space for overtaking where it is safe to do so.
“Cyclists undertaking or passing motorists on the left-hand side can also cause accidents, so try to avoid that as much as possible.”
Experts at Bartletts Law says cyclists can usually claim against car insurance policies for any injuries, mental trauma, damage to property, loss of earnings through time off work and the cost of medical treatment.
They reveal many claims from cyclists are successful due to how these claims are analysed.
They say the burden of proof will be on the motorist rather than the cyclist to prove they were not to blame for an accident.
This can be difficult in areas where there were no witnesses such as down country lanes or housing estates.
Without dash cam footage, it is simply a motorists word against a cyclist which is unlikely to be accepted.
This will see motorists car insurance policies affected and any no claims discount will come to an end, leading to a rise in premiums.
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