Question from a reader:
Please tell me about the personal belongings coverage in bicycle insurance. My son, a first-year high school student, fell while riding his bike to school and tore his new summer pants, which he had only purchased a month ago. When I asked the store where I bought them for repairs, they said it would cost 2,200 yen,
but due to the size of the hole, they would have to patch it. The pants returned with a patch, and while they are still wearable, I am concerned about their appearance. I’m contemplating whether to buy a new pair, but they cost 14,000 yen, which makes me hesitate. It’s been about ten days since the accident, and I haven’t had time to take my son back to the store, so he is currently wearing the patched pants to school. I remembered that we have personal belongings coverage in our bicycle insurance, so I contacted the insurance company. They told me that if the repairs have been made, I need to provide an estimate or receipt, and if repairs are impossible, I should get a certificate of irreparability. In this case, since the repairs have been made, can I only receive the repair cost, or is it acceptable to get a certificate of irreparability and submit it as a total loss? Also, I heard that if I obtain a certificate of irreparability, I need to submit photos as proof of total loss, but since the pants have already been repaired, can I submit the pants in their patched state? I have taken photos with my smartphone. If anyone has detailed knowledge, I would appreciate your advice.

Considering Personal Belongings Coverage in Bicycle Insurance

My son, who rides his bike to school, fell one day. Fortunately, he was unharmed, but he ended up with a large hole in his almost new summer pants. Although the repair would only cost 2,200 yen, the patching process has left me concerned about their appearance. This prompted a question about personal belongings coverage in bicycle insurance. In this blog, I would like to explore the basic information about this coverage and specific responses to such situations.

What is Personal Belongings Coverage?

First, let’s explain personal belongings coverage. This coverage provides protection for items that the policyholder was carrying at the time of a specific accident. It applies if items are damaged during an accident while riding a bicycle to school. Typically, it covers clothing, bags, electronic devices, and more. The specifics of the coverage can vary by insurance company, but generally, it compensates for repair or replacement costs. However, certain conditions must be met, so it is important to check the details.

Considering This Case

Now, let’s put ourselves in the questioner’s position. Their son fell while riding his bike and tore his summer pants. Although the repair was possible, the patching has become a source of concern. The most important aspect here is the documentation required by the insurance company. Following the insurance company’s instructions, you need to submit a receipt for the repair or prepare a certificate of irreparability. If repairs were made, the receipt is valid, but if you want to treat it as a total loss, you will need the certificate. However, it is natural to wonder how the fact that repairs were made affects the total loss classification.

Handling Repairs and Total Loss

Considering this situation, since repairs have been made, the principle is that compensation will likely be based on the receipt for the repair costs. Insurance contracts often include a clause stating, “If repairs are possible, the repair costs will be compensated.” Therefore, it is highly likely that the 2,200 yen repair cost will be covered. On the other hand, if you submit a certificate of irreparability, it may be treated as a total loss, but caution is needed. To be classified as a total loss, you must prove that it is irreparable. Whether the patched condition is recognized as “irreparable” depends on the insurance company’s judgment. Even if there is a patch, if the pants are still wearable, they are likely to be treated as repaired.

Submitting Photos

When requesting a certificate of irreparability, insurance companies often require photo submissions. Since repairs have already been made, you can take photos of the patched pants and submit them, but it is unclear how the insurance company will make their judgment. It is crucial to confirm whether you can obtain a new certificate and what conditions may apply to it.

What is the Final Decision?

As such, when actually filing an insurance claim, many factors come into play. Whether to claim the repair costs or treat it as a total loss cannot be determined universally. Personally, I believe the smoothest approach would be to claim the 2,200 yen for repairs while providing a detailed explanation to the insurance company and honestly discussing the condition of the patched pants. Additionally, considering the financial burden of purchasing new pants, it is practical to cover the repair costs with the insurance payout. However, it is understandable to be concerned about their appearance. Balancing such feelings is essential when making the final decision.

Conclusion

Personal belongings coverage in bicycle insurance is surprisingly underappreciated but can be very useful. Through this question, we have had the opportunity to think about how to use this coverage and the differences between repair costs and total loss. Accidents happen unexpectedly, often leading to unforeseen expenses. Having solid information during such times will be key to minimizing losses. Finally, while dealing with insurance companies can sometimes feel cumbersome, it is most important to communicate your situation honestly. I encourage you to remain flexible as circumstances change and continue striving for the best possible outcome.