Do you need insurance for kick scooters in the UK?


Kick scooters are two-wheel human-powered vehicles that are mainly used on street roads. They were initially regarded as toys for kids as most of the older models looked small and guided. In recent times, the story has changed for scooters as we now have more versions that are made specifically for adults.

However, you don’t need insurance for kick scooters in the UK. This is because the kick scooter is not road-legal in the UK and has not yet been accepted as a road-worthy mode of transportation.

Since accidents are not limited to cars and other automobiles alone, is there a chance that one could get insurance for their kick scooter? Do you even need insurance for kick scooters in the UK? This article will clarify that but before we move to that, let us clarify the terms.

What are kick scooters?

Kick scooters have gone beyond what we used to call them–toys for kids. They are now even more appreciated by adults who want to have an easier way to get around from street to street or just for fun.

Kick scooters are ridden with two hands on the handlebar, one foot on the scooter floor, and the other foot occasionally on the ground pushing the scooter forward. Now, since the vehicle is now being made for both children and adults in mind, there have now been more kinds of scooters that try to make the riding process a bit more stress-free.

E-scooters are shaped exactly like the traditional kick scooters. The only difference is that you don’t have to keep one foot on the ground, pushing the scooter forward anymore. E-scooters are powered by electricity and can move much faster than the traditional ones.

Now that scooters are capable of moving without any human-related mechanical effort and can move as fast as some other vehicles, it is safe to think that there is a chance of getting into an accident with a pedestrian, another scooter, or any other automobile. Now to answer the question of whether you need insurance for kick scooters in the UK.

Do you need insurance for kick scooters?

Accidents can happen anywhere and insurance is supposed to cover you, your scooter, and any other person involved in the accident, but there is no insurance for scooters yet. So, even if there is actually a need to insure your scooter, you may not be able to get it.

The reason for this is that kick scooters are still popularly considered as toys or vehicles that people ride for fun, just like hoverboards. They have not been considered as a major form of transportation.

The more acceptance the vehicle gets, the more important the need to get them and the riders insured. However, there are various forms of insurance that you can get to keep you secured in case of an accident. Let’s look at them below.

Other forms of insurance for scooters

Since you are not allowed to get insurance for your scooter, whether kick scooter or e-scooter, these are other options that you have:

Third-party only insurance

In case of an accident, this kind of insurance doesn’t cover the rider or the scooter. It only covers any other individual or their property that may have been involved in the accident. This means that if you have any injury and your scooter gets damaged, you would be responsible for the cost of that while your insurance takes care of the other party.

Third-party fire and theft insurance

This one may not directly be for scooters, however, it covers any property you name to it. The third-party fire and theft insurance covers any third-party injury and also covers your scooter if it gets stolen or burnt in an accident.

Umbrella insurance

Umbrella insurance might be everything you need if you want to keep your scooter covered and safe. It doesn’t cover your scooter specifically but once you get it for yourself, you can extend it to every other property that you want, including your scooter.

The bottom line of this whole conversation is that your kick scooter may not need insurance unless you are covering it under another insurance or you are covering a third party who you are likely to injure if you are not careful while riding your scooter. Let us consider some frequently asked questions to better clarify the point.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on whether you need insurance for kick scooters in the UK

Below are some questions I have answered that will further drive the point of this article home:

1. Can I get regular motorbike insurance for my kick scooter?

No, you cannot. Every insurance is treated specially. If you get motorbike insurance for your kick scooter, it will not prevent you from getting arrested.

2. Are scooters legal in the UK?

Yes, scooters are legal but not accepted as a mode of transportation on pavements and highways for the safety of the rider and other road users.

3. Do you need insurance for electric scooters in the UK?

Electric scooters are bound by the same laws that bind the traditional kick scooters. They are not allowed on major roads and pavements and cannot be insured. However, before you can legally ride your electric scooter, you would need a driver’s license.

4. Why are electric scooters illegal in the UK?

As mentioned earlier in the article, scooters are generally seen as toys for children. However, there are more advanced versions of these for adults that fall under the category of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEV). These PLEVs are not as fast as other road-worthy and legal vehicles and, as such, have not yet been legalized.

Conclusion

Kick scooters are beginning to gain rounds all over the world, and maybe in due time, they would gain the acceptance that other vehicles have gotten. For now, there is no need to get them covered in insurance, but you can cover them as part of your property using the umbrella insurance.

Adam

I'm an Engineer who love speed and all urban mobility . I share with you my opinions and thoughts on this blog :). Don't hesitate to leave me a comment!

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