Introduction

E‑bike businesses—from solo couriers to national last‑mile operators and retail/rental shops—share one truth: most contract requirements and real‑world claims start with third‑party liability. This hub maps common use cases to the coverages, endorsements, and safety practices Canadian counterparties expect, and links you to deeper guides and tools.> Consumer vs. Commercial

• For personal e‑bike owners: this page is for businesses. For consumer options (often through home/tenant policies), connect with our Private Client team via our Contact Us page.
• For couriers, fleets, and shops: the program and guidance below cover commercial use—CGL, equipment floaters, COIs, depot property/BI, rentals, and battery safety.> Eligibility & Service Area
• Canada (excluding Quebec)
• Retail, Rental/Demo, Couriers, Fleets
• From solo couriers to 100+ bike programs

Quick classification: compliant e‑bikes vs. autos, and why CGL + equipment floater is the foundation

• In Canada, e‑bikes are regulated primarily by provinces/territories for road use. Ontario and B.C. define compliant e‑bikes with 500W max motor output and 32 km/h assisted speed limits, among other equipment rules. These compliant e‑bikes are not registered or insured as “automobiles” in B.C., and Ontario sets similar technical criteria and riding rules. Contracting and risk managers should treat them differently from cars or LSVs.

• Federally, Transport Canada repealed the former “power‑assisted bicycle” definition and now treats many e‑bicycles as non‑regulated for import if designed for ≤32 km/h, while “on‑road‑like” designs may be assessed under other classes. Provinces decide on‑road rules.

• Because compliant e‑bikes are not autos, the insurance foundation is typically Commercial General Liability (CGL) for bodily injury/property damage to others, paired with an equipment floater (inland marine) for the bikes, batteries, and gear you own. CGL addresses third‑party claims; floaters cover your movable property that standard property forms often exclude.

• If you use support vehicles (cargo vans, supervisor cars) or rely on employees’ or contractors’ vehicles, add non‑owned auto coverage (SPF 6) to address vicarious auto liability that CGL excludes.

Scenarios and recommended coverages

A) Individual couriers and micro‑businesses (1–10 riders)

You likely need:

• CGL with typical contract limits between $2M and $5M per occurrence; some enterprise platforms may require $10M. Add Additional Insured, Primary & Non‑Contributory (PNC), and Waiver of Subrogation when requested.

• Equipment floater (contractors’/mobile equipment) for bikes, batteries, chargers, and rider gear; consider theft‑from‑vehicle and off‑premises limits.

• Optional: cargo/motor truck cargo for goods in transit (if you assume responsibility); cyber if you store customer addresses or accept digital payments.

Contract/COI tips:

• Expect Additional Insured + PNC wording and Waiver of Subrogation; share full contract insurance clauses early to avoid re‑issuance delays.

Helpful links:

• CGL for couriers (module)

• COI Hub: how to request fast certificates

• Courier hub

B) Fleets and last‑mile operators (multi‑city programs, depots, support vehicles)

You likely need:

• CGL with $5M–$10M and umbrella as contracts dictate; name clients/landlords as Additional Insured with PNC; Waiver of Subrogation where negotiated.

• Inland marine/equipment floater for e‑bike fleets, batteries, chargers, and spares; consider catastrophic theft/fire, inventory at hubs, and transit between depots.

• Non‑Owned Auto (SPF 6) for hired/support vehicles and employee vehicles used in business.

• Property and Business Interruption (BI) for depots/micro‑fulfillment; review coinsurance and off‑premises power/interruption extensions.

• Cyber: customer data, routing systems, payment flows—baseline controls from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security are a good starting point.

Operational controls to discuss: secure rooms for charging, vendor compliance (UL 2849/2272 as applicable), GPS tracking, depot access controls, documented maintenance and incident logs.

Helpful links:

• Commercial Auto / HNOA

• Property & Business Interruption guidance

• COI Hub

C) Retailers, rental, and demo shops

You likely need:

• Property insurance for premises, inventory, and improvements; ensure theft, water damage, and equipment breakdown are addressed per your risk profile.

• Inland marine for rental/demo fleets; schedule higher‑value bikes and batteries; consider transit between stores/events.

• Bailee’s/Customers’ Goods (aka “customers’ goods legal liability”) for customer bikes in your care for service/repair or storage.

• CGL with Additional Insured/PNC/Waiver for landlords, event hosts, and brand partners as required by contract.

• Participant exposure: demo days and group rides can trigger “participant” exclusions—clarify coverage and use tailored waivers (legal advice recommended).

Helpful links:

• Rental/Demo guide

• Property & BI guidance

• Vancouver e‑bike page

Pricing & limits snapshot (indicative; subject to underwriting)

Use these planning ranges to scope contracts and RFPs. Final terms vary by operations, loss history, security, and carrier appetite (availability varies by province; excludes Quebec).

• CGL: common asks $1M–$10M per occurrence; most contracts land at $2M–$5M, with umbrella to reach $10M+.

• Equipment floater (e‑bikes, batteries, gear): schedule by unit value. Typical examples we see: city e‑bikes $1.5k–$3k each; cargo e‑bikes $4k–$8k; spare batteries $400–$1.2k per pack. Deductibles often $500–$2,500; theft‑from‑vehicle sub‑limits may apply.

• Retail/rental scheduling: demo or premium units frequently $5k–$10k each; confirm limits for transit to events and inter‑store moves.

• Cyber: micro‑operators commonly select $100k–$1M; multi‑depot fleets/platforms $1M–$2M+. Baseline controls usually include MFA, tested backups, and anti‑phishing training.

• Non‑Owned Auto (SPF 6): typical limits $1M–$5M; align with umbrella when counterparties require $10M total.

• Property & BI (depots/micro‑fulfillment): contents at replacement cost; BI indemnity periods of 12–18 months are common for last‑mile operations.

Typical contract limits and COI process

Typical counterparties request the following (always defer to your signed contract):

5‑step COI process (what to expect): 1) Share the full insurance section and sample COI wording with your Summit manager. 2) We map your coverage to the request; if needed, we quote limit increases or endorsements. 3) On approval/bind, we issue the COI with required Additional Insured/PNC/Waiver wording. 4) Certificates delivered digitally to you and the certificate holder; rush requests prioritized. 5) Typical turnaround is fast once terms are settled; complex contracts may require insurer approval for Waiver or PNC language.

Battery safety: standards, charging, and SOPs

• Follow your internal Battery Safety SOPs and checklists. Reinforce certified systems (ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 for e‑bikes; ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 for personal e‑mobility devices), avoid aftermarket/modified packs, and adopt safe‑charging practices per Canadian public safety guidance.

• Municipal fire services report rising lithium‑ion incidents and publish charging/storage guidance; share and train across shifts.

Province and program availability

Coverage, forms, and program eligibility vary. Contact us to confirm your province and program fit.

FAQs

Are e‑bikes considered motor vehicles for insurance?

Provinces set e‑bike rules; compliant e‑bikes (e.g., 500W, 32 km/h) are not registered/insured as automobiles in B.C., and Ontario provides similar technical criteria and rules of the road. Check your local by‑laws.

Do I need auto insurance for my e‑bike?

For compliant e‑bikes, B.C.’s insurer (ICBC) does not register, license, or insure them as vehicles; other provinces similarly treat compliant e‑bikes outside auto schemes, but verify locally. If you use cars/vans for support, consider SPF 6 non‑owned auto.

What is “SPF 6” (Non‑Owned Auto) and when would I need it?

SPF 6 is Canada’s standard non‑owned auto policy form used to insure a business’s liability for vehicles it doesn’t own (e.g., employees’ vehicles or hired autos) used in its operations—important for fleets with support vehicles.

What covers my fleet of e‑bikes and batteries against theft or damage?

Use an equipment floater (inland marine) for mobile property that moves between locations or is stored off‑premises; standard property policies may not follow property in transit.

We service customer bikes—does CGL cover customers’ property in our shop?

CGL generally excludes property in your care, custody, or control. Add bailee’s/customers’ goods coverage to address that exposure for repair/storage.

What battery standards or tips should we follow?

Health Canada advises against modifying lithium‑ion packs, recommends certified systems (ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 for e‑bikes; ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 for other e‑mobility), and provides safe charging/storage guidance.

Why do counterparties ask for Additional Insured, PNC, and Waiver of Subrogation?

They’re standard risk‑transfer tools: adding clients as Additional Insured, making your policy primary/non‑contributory, and waiving your insurer’s subrogation rights. Share contract wording early; some requests require insurer approval.

Talk to Summit

Summit is an independent Canadian brokerage built for the future. Your dedicated account manager will shop the market, tailor endorsements, and turn COIs quickly so you can deploy riders and open doors with confidence.