Mobility scooters have increasingly become popular among seniors and people living with
disabilities. These people need independence, the ability to engage in activities, and move
around whenever they want or need to without relying on caregivers or loved ones. The
question you may be asking is whether you will need a mobility scooter insurance for your
new acquisition.
Is insurance a legal requirement to operate a mobility scooter?
For the most part, mobility scooters do not require insurance to operate. The reason is that
these scooters are not allowed on the road, hence would not need to be insured to operate
like it is with motor vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts, or any other motorized equipment
allowed on the roads.
The implication is that you will only be able to drive your mobility scooter on the sidewalks, in stores, in parking lots and other areas. However, the Department for Transport strongly advises users or owners of scooters to insure themselves and scooters for personal safety, other people’s safety, and safety of the equipment itself.
Insurance is a necessity in our daily lives as it provides you with the safety you need in your
day-to-day operations and activities. It is important to mention that despite insurance being a
legal requirement for vehicles and motorcycles on the road, we often insure so many things in
our lives that do not fall under legal obligations but personal safety or needs.
For example, we often insure our homes or property we own against fire, burglary, vandalism, or any other misfortune. Similarly, mobility scooter insurance can save you a lot of headaches and possible health/physical harm or injury. Mobility scooter insurance is important in the following
manner.
Mobility scooter insurance protects your scooter
Mobility scooter insurance can protect your scooter, especially if you purchase a policy that
protects your mobility scooter if it gets damaged or stolen. The truth is that a scooter is an
investment, and it would rather sound painful if you’re forced to carry the cost when it’s
stolen or gets damaged. Mobility scooter insurance will protect you from such losses, as your
insurer will be able to replace it for you, thus relieving you from the headache of replacing by
yourself.
Mobility scooter insurance protects you and others
In the event of an accident with your scooter, there are chances that you’ll get injured when
using your scooter. Although one is not permitted to operate a scooter on our roads, they can
still get involved in an accident with a motor vehicle.
Related: Handicap Mobility Scooters – Are They Safe for Seniors?
For instance, you may be crossing a crosswalk and a vehicle fails to follow the rules of the road or loses control and hits you. You may also, accidentally, hit someone on the sidewalks. In any of the occurrences, insurance will cover you, thus saving you a massive financial burden that may be born out of such incidences.
Final Thought
Mobility scooter insurance may not be a legal requirement for your mobility scooter, but it is
important to note that insuring ourselves and what we own or your investment should not be
based only on legal obligations. There is a need to protect your investment, yourself, and
those who may get hurt by your scooter in the event of an accident.