Liability for offering bicycles for use?

Question

Does anyone offer bicycles for use with there STR property?  I have had comments that it would be nice to include and it is something we do ourselves when we stay.   Any good way to do this?  Anyway to limit liability or have guests sign a digital waiver?  Anyway to automate that process?

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Having them sign a waiver is useless. If they get hit by a truck they will sue the pants off you. It's called an 'attractive nuisance',

Not that I wouldn't do it, just make sure that you are insured out the wazoo.

I don't personally need any more issues than life already throws at us, so I would just refer them to a rental store.

Dan Slaughter · Answer

I have a partnership with a bike rental company to offer a discount to my house guests.  I don’t want the overhead or liability of providing bikes.

Kerry Baird · Answer

My insurance company requires a "ride at your own risk" sign, helmets and my confirmation that the bikes are checked at each turnover for safety issues.  I'm beach side in Florida and I do provide bikes and helmets (and tick those safety boxes).

Luke Carl · Answer

I rent mine. Liability is on the rental company unless something happens in my driveway then it’s homeowners

Aaron Porter · Answer

Be sure to communicate with your insurance agent.  If you choose to provide for your renters add-ons like bikes, surfboards, skateboards, snorkel gear, basketball in your backyard, pickleball courts, paddleboards, scooters, a pool, hot-tub or literally anything that can be seen as an added liability.  If you do any add-ons this can add extra liability.

Your insurance carrier does not want to pay for claims.  They are contractually obligated to pay but if the carrier can find a legal/contractual breach to not pay a submitted claim they will.

Anyone who does not communicate what they are doing with their property essentially breaches their insurance contract which gives the insurance carrier the right to deny a claim.

So make sure to communicate with your insurance agent, record the calls and make notes about the communication you have with your agent.  Work with an agent who will go to the lengths that you need from them.  Some carriers won't accept some add-on or some properties, so you may have to switch carriers to be able to cover yourself if you decide to rent bikes, or do whatever else as an add-on to your STR.

Eliott Elias · Answer

Don't do it.

Christian Besendorfer · Answer

Thanks everyone, so seems like a not worth the risk on the bikes.

Michael Baum · Answer

Ditto. Cyclehaus right in Harrison. People can rent all the bikes they want.

I will also add that my STR policy has liability that covers guests when they are away from the house. You just never know.

Christian Besendorfer · Answer

Thanks Luke, Do you rent them from the rental shop and then let guests use them?

Liability for offering bicycles for use?

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