umbrella policies in Japan?

[StockBeard]

A topic that resurfaces a lot on US forums for people to protect their assets from liability are umbrella policies.

I used to think this was dumb, but:
- A few years ago, a company threatened to sue me for hundreds of thousands of dollars for a review I had written about them on my blog. (Ben will probably remember that). The incorrectly said it was libel, but I did not have the legal support to fight back.
- Recently my wife told me that her and the kids are not insured for the bikes they ride regularly. Some people in Japan have apparently had to pay thousands of dollars for accidents caused by their kids on a bike

Also the two issues above are separate, I'm wondering if an umbrella policy could work for these kinds of situations and more. I'm also wondering how common umbrella policies are in Japan.

[RetireJapan]

Bike insurance is super cheap.

We used to have a family 'accident insurance', which covered injuries, liability, damage etc. from accidents. Also fairly reasonable.

[RetireJapan]

Unlike the US, the risk of being sued for large amounts for spurious reasons here is fairly negligible

[StockBeard]

Thanks. Do you remember the provider you used, by any chance? What about your blog, do you have anything? (For a scenario similar to mine)

[TokyoWart]

Regarding bikes, we found out our home insurance also covered our liability for bicycle accidents here. You might want to check your home policy.

[Utachiyo]

In Osaka, it's recently become a regulation that all bicycles must have insurance. The basic level is just 500 yen per year, so it's super cheap...though you also have to get a bike inspection/check-up at the same time and that cost 2500 yen, I think. That part probably depends on the shop.

[captainspoke]

For bikes, either a 7-11 policy or this one: http://www.au-sonpo.co.jp/pc/byclebest/ ... ml#tab_top

The latter (both?) can get you legal representation.

As a cyclist in any kind of bike/car matchup, you need an insurance company to be doing the talking/negotiating for you with the driver's insurance company--peer to peer. Otherwise, you will be at a disadvantage.

[RetireJapan]

Thanks. Do you remember the provider you used, by any chance? What about your blog, do you have anything? (For a scenario similar to mine)

I don't remember the provider, but they all have something similar.

Anyone wants to sue me in Sendai regarding the blog, they're welcome to try