When considering whether you should insure your electric scooter, it is advisable that you reflect upon Murphy’s Law. This old adage states that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
The reason why we take out insurance policies is for the purpose of reducing uncertainties and loss. Losses may be towards property or human life. The definite answer to the question of whether an electric scooter owner should ensure it is a definite yes.
A scooter is a vehicle that you will be using in public; and in most cases, be around people and cars. By taking this factor into consideration, you realize that a lot can happen in the public domain.
The first step you need to take is to check your state’s department of motor vehicles to establish whether you are required to have insurance for your electric scooter. You will notice that some states, for example, Florida, require that you have liability insurance in the event that you have been involved in an e-scooter accident previously.
For the majority of us, the thought that an electric scooter can be dangerous is something laughable; this is not the case. Quite a number of accidents involving electric scooters have been reported; some of them have been fatal.
Electric scooters have become very popular around the cities of the world. They are becoming a widely used source of fast and affordable transportation to millions of people across the globe. As a result, there has been a rise in scooter-related injuries. Some of the injuries suffered by scooter riders include but are not limited to broken noses, arms, legs; and at times, internal injuries. In some unfortunate circumstances, electric scooter riders are hit by cars or motorcycles; this causes even more serious injuries.
According to a report tabled by the American Medical Association, 1in 3 riders involved in an electric scooter accident usually needs to be transported to a medical facility.
This is mainly because their injuries were severe. Additionally, it was noted that the most common injuries involve bone fractures. Riders who do not wear helmets are at a greater risk compared to those who wear protective clothing during their rides.
As I had pointed out earlier on, most states do not require electric scooter riders to own insurance covers. Be that as it may, this should not dissuade you from getting insurance for your electric scooter.
While it may be highly unlikely that you may get injured or injure someone when riding your electric scooter in your neighborhood, this might not be the case if you frequently commute with your electric scooter. This is a situation that requires you to exercise an abundance of caution.
Ultimately, insurance covers exist for your financial protection. At the very least, you should consider getting liability coverage for your electric scooter or an umbrella policy that suits your needs sufficiently.
Insurance options for electric scooter owners
Below are the various insurance options electric scooter owners can choose from:
Bodily injury liability
If your local community or state requires insurance, this type of policy is probably what they need from you.
This basically means that if you injure another person when ridding your scooter, the insurance company will cover the injured person’s medical bills.
Property damage liability
This covers situations where you damage property or the vehicle of another while riding your scooter.
Collision
This cover is described as a no-fault option. It does not matter who is at fault; the insurance will pay for damages on your electric scooter.
Comprehensive
This covers all things outside of a collision.
Uninsured motorist
This covers you in the event that the other person involved in the accident does not have insurance.
Underinsured Motorist
This protects you when the other individual’s cover does not cover damages.
Roadside assistance
In case your electric scooter runs out of charge in the middle of your runs, it is possible to get a coverage that will ensure someone comes to charge it for you; however, there are few insurers who offer this coverage.
At the end of the day, it is your responsibility to choose the insurance cover that suits you best. Some people prefer umbrella policies that cover them against lawsuits in the vent of accidents. Details regarding the terms and conditions of an insurance cover are best explained to you by your insurance agent.
How much does insurance cost for electric scooters?
This is highly dependent on the insurance company you engage in. Additionally, the cost of insurance is also affected by the amount of coverage you wish to carry.
For example, if you chose Geiko, and you require a full coverage; the annual premium payable to the company is roughly 1,000 dollars. The company charges 140 dollars per year for basic coverage. For a company like Progressive, a full plan will set you back 2,000 dollars while the basic coverage costs 300 dollars.
Do I need insurance if I use rental electric scooters?
The saying, the devil is in the detail, is best exemplified by this situation. No one cares to read the fine print. The scooter company does not assume any liability in regards to how you ride your scooter or any accidents you may get into in the course of your ride.
If you are hurt, your insurance should foot the bill; If you are insured. However, if you have no recourse; the person you hurt is empowered to sue you for damages under the law.
In conclusion
Most insurance policies usually appear to be a waste of hard-earned money to many people. They forget it is better to be safe than sorry. You can reduce the amount of loss by subscribing even to a basic insurance policy.
However, if you want to fully insulate yourself from loss; it is highly advisable that you subscribe to a full coverage policy. It only takes one accident for you to wish you had insurance.
Choose to be safe by subscribing to an insurance cover that is tailored to insulate you from loss in accordance with your needs as a commuter. Last but not least, the cost of insurance differs from one insurance provider to the other.