Electric scooter insurance covers damage you cause to other people or their property, and damage to your scooter itself

Electric scooter insurance is not required by law in most places, but it protects you if you hit someone, damage a car, or wreck your scooter. The coverage works similarly to auto insurance: liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others, and collision or comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your own scooter.

Whether you need it depends on where you live, whether you own or rent your scooter, and how much risk you're comfortable taking on. Renters of scooters from companies like Lime or Bird are usually covered by the company's insurance while you're using their scooter. Owners of personal scooters have no automatic coverage and must buy a policy if they want protection.

The cost and what's covered varies widely by insurer and by your location. Some homeowners or renters insurance policies include scooter coverage as an add-on; others exclude it entirely. Standalone scooter insurance policies exist but are not widely available yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Liability coverage pays for injuries or damage you cause to other people or their property while riding.
  • Collision and comprehensive coverage pay to repair or replace your own scooter if it's damaged or stolen.
  • Scooter rental companies provide insurance coverage while you're using their scooter, but you have no coverage once you return it.
  • Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover your personal scooter, but you need to check your policy or call your insurer to confirm.
  • Standalone scooter insurance policies exist through a small number of insurers, though availability depends on your state and city.

How liability coverage works for scooter riders

Liability coverage pays medical bills, lost wages, and property damage if you injure someone or damage their car, storefront, or other belongings while riding. If someone sues you, liability coverage also pays your legal defense costs. This is the most important type of coverage because a serious accident can result in tens of thousands of dollars in damages.

Most scooter liability claims come from hitting a pedestrian or a parked car. If you hit someone and they go to the hospital, their medical bills alone can easily exceed $10,000. If you damage a car, the repair estimate might be $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the damage. Without liability coverage, you would owe this money out of pocket.

Liability coverage typically comes with a limit — for example, $100,000 per incident or $300,000 per year. Once you hit that limit, the insurance stops paying. You should choose a limit high enough to cover a serious accident in your area, but most people find that $100,000 to $300,000 is reasonable.

Collision and comprehensive coverage for your scooter

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your scooter if you crash it, hit a pothole, or collide with a car or object. Comprehensive coverage pays if your scooter is stolen, damaged by weather, or vandalized. Together, these two types of coverage protect your own property rather than protecting others from you.

Whether you need these depends on how much your scooter cost and whether you can afford to replace it. A basic scooter costs $200 to $400; a high-end model can cost $800 to $2,000 or more. If your scooter is inexpensive and you can replace it without hardship, collision and comprehensive coverage may not be worth the cost. If you spent $1,500 on your scooter and cannot afford to buy another one, coverage makes more sense.

Both types of coverage usually come with a deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. A $250 deductible is common. If your scooter costs $300 to repair and your deductible is $250, you pay $250 and insurance pays $50. This means small repairs are entirely your responsibility.

Checking your homeowners or renters insurance policy

Before you buy standalone scooter insurance, check whether your homeowners or renters insurance already covers your scooter. Many policies include coverage for personal property you own, which can extend to a scooter kept at home. However, some policies specifically exclude motorized devices or vehicles, and some exclude coverage while the scooter is in use.

Call your insurance company or log into your online account and look for your policy document. Search for the words "scooter," "motorized," "vehicle," or "personal property." If you find language that excludes motorized devices, your scooter is not covered. If the policy is silent on scooters, ask your agent directly whether a scooter is covered and under what circumstances.

If your policy does cover your scooter, ask what the coverage limit is. Many homeowners policies cover personal property up to a percentage of your home's value — often 50 to 70 percent. If your home is insured for $300,000, your personal property coverage might be capped at $150,000, which is plenty for a scooter. But if your policy has a low overall limit or a specific limit on motorized items, you might want additional coverage.

Standalone scooter insurance policies and where to find them

A small number of insurance companies offer standalone policies that cover electric scooters. These policies are not as widely available as auto insurance, and availability varies by state and city. Some insurers that offer scooter coverage include Lemonade, State Farm, and a few smaller specialty insurers, though this list changes and not all of them operate in every state.

To find a standalone policy, search online for "electric scooter insurance" along with your state name, or call local insurance agents and ask whether they write scooter policies. You can also contact your current insurance company and ask whether they offer a scooter rider or endorsement to your existing policy — this is often cheaper than a standalone policy.

Standalone policies typically cost between $10 and $30 per month, depending on your location, the scooter's value, and the coverage limits you choose. Some policies require you to register your scooter or provide a serial number. Most require you to wear a helmet and follow local traffic laws, and they may not cover you if you're riding recklessly or under the influence.

What rental company insurance covers and does not cover

When you rent a scooter from Lime, Bird, Spin, or another rental company, the company's insurance covers you for liability while you're actively riding the scooter. This means if you hit a pedestrian or damage a car, the rental company's insurance pays. However, this coverage ends the moment you return the scooter or stop riding it.

Rental company insurance typically does not cover damage to the scooter itself — you may be charged a damage fee if you return a broken scooter. The fee varies by company and by the damage, but can range from $50 to several hundred dollars. Some rental companies offer optional damage waiver coverage for a small fee per ride, which reduces or eliminates your liability for damage.

Rental company insurance also typically does not cover your own injuries. If you crash and break your arm, your own health insurance or medical payments coverage would pay your medical bills, not the rental company's insurance. This is why some riders choose to add their personal scooter to their homeowners or renters policy, or buy a standalone policy that covers them whether they're riding a rental or a personal scooter.

State and local laws affecting scooter insurance

A few states and cities have begun requiring scooter riders to carry liability insurance, though this is still rare. California, for example, does not require insurance statewide, but some cities within California may have local rules. New York City requires rental scooter companies to carry insurance but does not require individual riders to carry their own. Check your city or county website or contact your local police department's non-emergency line to learn whether insurance is required where you live.

Even where insurance is not required by law, your city may have rules about where you can ride, whether you must wear a helmet, and whether you're responsible for injuries or damage you cause. These rules affect your risk and therefore your insurance needs. If your city has strict liability rules — meaning you're legally responsible for most accidents — insurance becomes more important even if it's not required.

Some cities also regulate rental scooter companies and require them to maintain minimum insurance coverage. This protects renters but does not protect owners of personal scooters. If you own a scooter, you cannot rely on rental company rules to protect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need insurance if I only ride a rental scooter?

The rental company's insurance covers you for liability while you're riding, so you don't need your own policy for that. However, if you want coverage for your own injuries or want liability protection beyond what the rental company provides, you can buy a standalone policy. Most people who only use rental scooters occasionally do not buy additional insurance.

Will my homeowners insurance cover me if I cause an accident on my scooter?

It depends on your specific policy. Some homeowners policies cover personal liability for scooter accidents; others exclude motorized devices. Call your insurer and ask whether your policy covers scooter liability while you're riding. If it does not, you may be able to add a rider or endorsement, or you can buy a standalone policy.

What happens if I cause an accident and I don't have insurance?

You would be personally liable for all damages — medical bills, property damage, and legal fees if the person sues you. The injured person could sue you in small claims court or civil court, and a judgment against you could affect your wages or bank account for years. This is why liability coverage is important even though it's not required by law in most places.

Can I get scooter insurance if I have a bad driving record?

Most scooter insurers do not check your driving record because scooter riding is separate from driving. However, some insurers may ask about accidents or claims you've had on any type of vehicle or property. Be honest when you explore, because lying on an insurance process can void your coverage later.

Does scooter insurance cover me if I'm riding in another state or country?

Most standalone policies cover you anywhere in the United States, but coverage outside the U.S. is rare. If you plan to ride a scooter while traveling, check your policy or call your insurer before you go. Rental company insurance typically covers you only in the cities where that company operates.