The experts in automobiles, motorcycles and personal mobility vehicles of Euroteide Insurance – (Insurance Advisors and savings and investment products) – We receive, quite frequently, telephone calls in which interested parties ask us if it is mandatory to have a Insurance of electric scooter.
So in the following lines we are going to give a complete answer to that question. We will also describe what coverage can be included in this type of insurance and explain the risks to which those who drive without driving are exposed. Insurance an electric scooter or any other personal mobility vehicle.
Is it mandatory to have electric scooter insurance?
Spanish regulations, as specified in Royal Decree 1507/2008, require the contracting of mandatory civil liability insurance for all motor vehicles.
But it turns out that, according to DGT regulations, electric scooters They are not included in the category of motor vehicles, but in the category of personal mobility vehicles (VMP).
Therefore, today There is no state regulation that specifies that it is mandatory to have electric scooter insurance. to be able to circulate with it on Spanish public roads.
Now, there are some local exceptions. As an example, this is the case of the municipalities of Madrid, Barcelona, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Córdoba, Palencia and Mahón, whose municipal ordinances establish the obligation of Insurance for electric scooters. In this sense, there are many local entities that are studying the possibility of establishing, in the short term, said obligation.
The other exception are electric scooters used for commercial purposes, in the case of those owned by shared mobility companies or VMP tourist rental companies. In these cases, scooter users have nothing to worry about: the price of mandatory insurance is already included in the rental or per-minute usage rates.
Furthermore, the DGT has officially confirmed that it is actively working on the preparation of a regulatory reform that establishes, at the national level, the mandatory nature of insurance for electric scooters and other VMPs.
Later we will explain why, from our point of view, It is essential to take out that Insurance, regardless of its obligation. But first, let's know what are the main coverages that can be included in the Insurance of an electric scooter:
What does electric scooter insurance cover?
The coverage available varies depending on each insurance company. However, in most of them the following can be contracted:
Civil liability coverage
This coverage covers personal or material damage that the driver of an electric scooter may cause to third parties, in the event of a negligent accident.
This is the only coverage required by city councils that have made electric scooter insurance mandatory.
The minimum insured sum required by these municipalities is 150.000 euros, although at Euroteide Seguros – (Insurance Advisors and savings and investment products) – we recommend raising it, at least, to 300.000 euros. In the next section we will explain the reason for this recommendation.
Pilot's medical expenses, in the event of an accident with fault
In Spain, those responsible for an accident must face all the medical expenses derived from it, including those corresponding to your own injuries. With this coverage, the driver of the electric scooter is protected in this circumstance.
Death caused by an accident
In the event that the driver of the electric scooter dies as a result of an accident, the beneficiary designated by him will receive the sum stipulated in the contract of Insurance.
Permanent disability due to accident
In this other case, it will be the scooter rider who will be compensated by the insurance company with the amount specified in the policy.
Legal representation and defense expenses
This is coverage that, in our opinion, is little less than essential: the insurance company Insurance takes care of all possible legal expenses resulting from an accident.
This applies to both legal claims to third parties as for the possible criminal proceedings arising from an at-fault accident.
Own material damage due to an accident with fault
Own damage coverage can also be contracted, when the cause of the accident is the driver of the insured electric scooter.
Theft
Some companies offer the possibility of contracting electric scooter theft coverage. An added security for the vehicle owner.
What are the advantages of taking out this insurance
According to Spanish law, the cause of damage is obliged to repair it. This is what is called civil liability. And that civil liability includes electric scooter riders and other VMP riders, case of electric bicycles and pedal bicycles.
That is, if the rider of an electric scooter causes an accident through fault, is solely responsible for compensating the injured parties. In the case of an accident with material damage, compensation can be a few hundred or thousands of euros, depending on the damage caused.
But what happens if the driver of an electric scooter runs over a person (or causes another vehicle to collide) and the accident results in serious injuries or deaths? Well then The compensation payable by the pilot who caused the accident can be stratospheric.
Furthermore, if the electric scooter rider himself is injured in an at-fault accident, he will have to face the costs derived from his medical or hospital care.
Ultimately, The driver of an uninsured electric scooter is completely unprotected if he or she has the misfortune of causing an accident.
Therefore, in Euroteide Insurance - (Insurance Advisors and savings and investment products) – We recommend that users of these and other VMPs immediately contract an insurance product that, at a minimum, include civil liability coverage and accident medical care coverage.
In addition, contracting the rest of the coverage only means a few extra euros per year. So the most reasonable decision is to hire them all.
So if you already use a scooter and you don't have insurance for it, Get in contact with us and request your quote without obligation.
You will be surprised to know how little it will cost you to take out your electric scooter insurance. So much so that You will not even consider deferring the payment of the annual premium of the policy.
