What Type of Insurance Do You Need for a Scooter?

Last Updated on September 12, 2020

Scooters can be a fun and convenient way to get around. If you drive a scooter, however, then you need to consider scooter insurance.

In most cases, scooters are insured like motorcycles. Just like you need insurance for your motorcycle, you also need insurance for your scooter. In fact, most insurance companies label scooter insurance as “motorcycle insurance”. For all intents and purposes, you need motorcycle insurance when driving your scooter.s

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about scooter insurance, including how scooter insurance works, whether or not you need scooter insurance, and how much scooter insurance costs.

What is Scooter Insurance?

Your insurance company treats driving a scooter like driving a motorcycle. Jscooter insuranceust like you need insurance when riding a motorcycle, you also need insurance when driving a scooter.

In virtually every state, scooter riders are legally required to carry liability coverage. Liability coverage protects other people from the damage you cause. Liability coverage includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: Bodily injury liability coverage covers medical bills and other expenses you cause to other people while riding your scooter. If you hit a pedestrian at a crosswalk, for example, then that pedestrian can make a claim through your bodily injury liability coverage for any medical bills and other expenses.

Property Damage Liability Coverage: Property damage liability coverage covers any property you damage while riding your scooter. If you slide into someone’s vehicle while riding your scooter, for example, or ride through your neighbor’s fence, then your property damage liability coverage should cover this incident.

In most states, scooter riders only need the liability coverage above. However, many scooter riders opt for full coverage, which extends protection to your scooter.

In most states, scooters are treated like motorcycles. The line between scooters and motorcycles has become increasingly blurry. Today’s most powerful motorcycles have 800cc engines. Yes, scooters might have additional safety features and beginner-friendly systems – like automatic transmission and a step-through design. However, from a legal and insurance standpoint, most states treat scooters just like motorcycles.

Full Coverage Scooter Insurance

Most states only require you to have liability insurance on your scooter. Liability insurance protects other people, drivers, and property from the damage you cause when riding your scooter.

However, many scooter riders opt for full coverage scooter insurance, which covers your scooter against all types of damage.

Full coverage scooter insurance adds the following coverages to your policy:

Collision Coverage: Collision coverage covers the cost of repairing your own scooter after a collision. If you cause an accident and your scooter requires $2,000 of repairs, for example, then you can make a claim through your scooter’s collision coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage covers the cost of repairing your scooter from non-accident situations. It covers the cost of repairing your scooter after vandalism, hail damage, fire damage, or flooding, for example. Comprehensive coverage also reimburses you if your scooter is stolen. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage on your scooter, then you may not receive any compensation if someone steals your scooter.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Many full coverage scooter insurance policies come with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. These policies cover you after an accident with a driver with too little insurance or no insurance whatsoever. It can also cover you after a hit-and-run accident where you cannot make a claim against the other driver’s insurance because the other driver is unknown.

Do You Need Insurance for a Moped or Scooter?

Most states treat mopeds and scooters like a motorcycle. To drive your scooter or moped on a public road in your state, you need to have a valid insurance policy.

However, scooter and moped insurance can be complicated. Depending on the speed of your moped or scooter, you may not be required to have insurance – or even a license.

The state of New York, for example, separates scooters and mopeds into different classes based on speed:

  • Class A (Over 30 to 40mph): Class A motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds are required to have insurance. You must have an M or MJ driver’s license (motorcycle license), and you must register your vehicle. You are also required to wear a helmet and eye protection. You can operate the vehicle in any traffic lane on any public road, and an inspection is required.
  • Class B (Over 20 to 30mph): Class B motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds require insurance. You can operate these vehicles with any license class, and you must register your vehicle and wear a helmet and eye protection when operating the vehicle. You can only drive your vehicle in the right-hand lane or shoulder, and an inspection is recommended but not required.
  • Class C (Under 20mph): Class C motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds are not required to have insurance (but it’s recommended). You can operate these vehicles with any license class, and you must drive these vehicles in the right-hand lane or shoulder only.

Other states have similar systems: if you have a particularly slow moped or scooter, then you may not need insurance. Generally, however, insurance is recommended for all scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles even if it’s not legally required.

Check your state’s requirements to ensure you match the minimum insurance requirements.

How Much Does Scooter Insurance Cost?

Scooters tend to cost significantly less than motorcycles and cars, which is why scooter insurance is relatively cheap.

If you already insure a vehicle or home, then adding a scooter to your policy can be particularly inexpensive. You might pay just $200 to $400 to add a scooter to your policy.

However, scooter insurance costs vary widely based on the value of your scooter, your driving history, and your claims history, among other factors.

An average minimum liability insurance policy for a scooter costs $300 to $500 in most states, for example.

If you add full coverage to your policy, then you will pay significantly more for scooter insurance. Some riders pay $1,000 to $2,500 per year for full coverage scooter insurance, for example. Yes, you get added protection with full coverage scooter insurance – but at a significantly higher price.

The best way to save money on scooter insurance is to compare as many quotes as possible. Enter your ZIP code into car insurance comparison forms online to find the cheapest rates and best coverage for scooter insurance in your area.

Final Word on Scooter Insurance

Most insurance companies cover scooters under motorcycle insurance. You buy motorcycle insurance to cover your scooter, and it protects your scooter against theft, vandalism, and accidents. This insurance also covers your liability, covering property damage, bodily injury damage, and other costs.

Virtually every state requires scooter riders to have insurance before driving on public roads. Just like a motorcycle, scooters need insurance. You need the minimum liability insurance coverage for your state. Most scooter riders also opt for collision and comprehensive coverage, which is optional but recommended.

To learn more about scooter insurance and to pay the lowest possible rates for scooter insurance, compare quotes online today by entering your ZIP code.

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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