Electric scooters have become increasingly common on public streets in recent years. They’re enjoyable to drive for leisure and commuting, but they’re not playthings. Cyclists should take all necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and the people around them, such as wearing helmets or other body armour, signalling pauses and departures, and respecting stoplights and regulations on the highway.
Is this, however, implying that riders of electric scooters require coverage? The basic answer is that while you are not obliged to obtain insurance for such an electric kick scooter in most cities and states, you strongly consider having one. Continue reading to discover more about what happens in the case of an accident, as well as the various reasons why you might require electric scooter insurance.
What Occurs in the Event of an Accident?
Suppose a cyclist is involved in an incident while riding in one of its vehicles; rideshare firms are covered by insurance. On the other hand, the cyclist is typically not protected by their insurance coverage and would be solely liable for any medical expenditures or damage to some other vehicles and her losses and injuries if proven at fault. The cyclist’s damages should be covered by health insurance, but the other side will not be. Most sharing firms have Terms of Use that specify they will not be held accountable for any damages or accidents incurred while using the scooter. This makes drivers of rented scooters responsible for all losses in an accident.
The majority of these also apply to driving a personal scooter. If the cyclist is judged to be at fault, they are liable for both their own and the other side’s losses. Most insurers have yet to produce plans that specifically cover motorised scooters, and some firms expressly indicate that scooter incidents are not covered by their vehicle insurance.
Do You Need Insurance for an Electric Scooter?
First and foremost, do you need one? If you live in a nation where electric scooter users are legally required to carry insurance, you must apply for coverage. If your state’s electric scooter rules don’t specify whether or not you may have an e-scooter, whether or not you can receive insurance for one will rely on your taste and lifestyle. It is, nonetheless, highly recommended. After all, it’s an extra layer of safety for both you and the e-scooter.
Electric scooters are usually not required to be licensed in Australia. Nevertheless, in South Australia, e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles, requiring users to obtain a licence, certification, and insurance. On the other hand, e-scooters are not able to register and cannot be used in public since they do not fulfil safety criteria. As a result, the insurance obligation is nullified.
Drivers should verify with their city’s e-scooter legislation or the local transit department to be aware of the e-scooter rules and fines.
Why Are Electric Scooters Linked to a Higher Risk of Harm?
There are several reasons why electric scooters have been associated with a higher risk of harm in an accident. In reality, electric scooter drivers are 200 times more likely to be injured than cyclists.
The following are a few particular causes for the significant disparity:
- Scooters have been mostly viewed as toys for decades. E-scooters are, in truth, nimble and speedy machines that are also a lot of fun to ride.
- A large percentage of e-scooter riders use ride-sharing services, which means they may not have encountered riders who are much more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Whereas bicycle riders are required to wear a helmet, far over 95 percent of e – scooter riders are not required to do so.
- For e-scooters, there are no unique and well-designed traffic laws on the highway. Moreover, laws frequently differ from one city to the next or might not apply. In some cities, scooters are allowed to use sidewalks; in others, they need to use ordinary roads; and in still others, there are no clear laws. This vast gap causes significant confusion among motorcyclists, walkers, and other drivers on the road.
What Are the Benefits of Having Insurance for Your Electric Kick Scooter?
While driving an electric kick scooter may be a great deal of fun, it can be risky for the driver, their environment, and other commuters. Because electric kick scooters have just been on the market for a few years, designers don’t have a lot of statistical data on their safety.
- Luckily, there are only a few reports of electric scooter-related fatalities. Nevertheless, the frequency of injuries related to electric scooters is increasing. Cyclists who weren’t wearing helmets at the crash sustained most wounds.
- Extra liability insurance, such as an umbrella and medical insurance, gives peace of mind.
- In the case of accidents using an electric scooter, this insurance will provide the most significant liability coverage.
Why Must You Consider Acquiring E-scooter Insurance?
There are advantages and disadvantages to purchasing e – scooter insurance, but here are some reasons why it is advantageous to users.
1. Take Out Insurance to Protect Yourself in the Event of an Accident.
Since electric scooters can travel at rates of up to 25 km/h in-crowd and close to 40 km/h on personal property, severe injuries are possible in the event of a crash or accident. Getting yourself insured will protect you from hefty medical bills.
2. Get Insurance to Cover the Cost of Repairing Your E-scooter if It Is Damaged.
If you break your e – scooter in an accident, you might have to pay a fortune to have it repaired, or you may have to purchase a new one. Insurance on the electric scooter will also assist you in covering the expenses of repair.
3. Be Able to Compensate a Pedestrian Who Has Been Wounded.
When there is an incident on the sidewalk, there is a risk of injuring walkers and other cyclists. If you harm people or destroy public or private property, having the proper e-scooter insurance can help you settle the charges.
4. If Your E-scooter Is Taken, You Should Have Insurance.
Finally, theft insurance is required for e – scooters. Thefts of e-scooters are more widespread than you may expect. These are, in fact, more straightforward to carry and flee with. If an e-scooter is damaged or stolen after already being taken, e-scooter insurance will pay the costs.
Conclusion
If you would not want to acquire e – scooter insurance or are still undecided, there is one option you could do to avoid potential accidents and damage expenses. Drive safely and responsibly.
Ensure you’re familiar with your city’s e – scooter laws and that you’re following the rules of the road. Make careful to ride safely and with consideration for others on the roadway. You won’t need insurance because you’ll avoid getting into collisions this way.
If you’re worried about the risks of riding an e – scooter on the road, having the correct insurance for both you and the scooter is an intelligent idea.
