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Everyone gets insurance for their automobile, and that’s not just because of the benefits it offers in the event of an accident, but because it’s required by law. This is not so much the case when it comes to mobility scooters though, as they fall under very different legal areas. While insurance for your mobility scooter is not seen as something that is necessary for many people, the full story is a little more complicated.
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Just like with automobiles, there are inevitable situations that would make having mobility scooter insurance preferable. If you are a current owner of a mobility scooter who doesn’t have it insured but is thinking about changing that, then you have come to the right place.
Today, we’re going to discuss all the details pertaining to mobility scooter insurance: the different types of insurance based on what kind of scooter you own, how expensive the insurance can be, and how you can get started on insuring your mobility scooter as soon as possible.
While many mobility scooter owners are still left in the dark when it comes to insuring their mobility vehicle, the simple truth of the matter is yes you can insure your mobility scooter.
A lot of people automatically assume that mobility scooters can’t be insured because they aren’t in the same legal category as automobiles. While you need a driver’s license to operate a car, you don’t need any such license to use your mobility scooter. Because mobility scooters don’t ride on highways or in the middle of public streets, a license is not required for their usage.
Despite that difference, you absolutely can apply for mobility scooter insurance. Depending on your particular circumstance it may in fact be the better choice by far to sign up for it.
Because mobility scooters are in a different legal category from automobiles, not only do you not need a license to use them but insurance itself is also non-mandatory.
As discussed in the previous section, mobility scooter insurance is not compulsory because they are seen as fundamentally different kinds of vehicles than automobiles are.
Mobility scooters are used on sidewalks or on the edges of the road in certain cities or towns that allow it. Because they can only go so fast, they are not allowed in the middle of the street or on highways. As a result, mobility scooter accidents or crashes simply do not happen as often.
But even though insurance is entirely optional, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seriously consider getting mobility scooter insurance. There are other reasons why insuring your mobility scooter could very well end up being the protection you need in the event of theft, vandalism or any kind of damage caused while you are out riding it.
Figuring out whether or not you need insurance for your mobility scooter is really contingent on your own circumstances. While you legally don’t need it, some countries such as Canada are beginning to consider changing legislation that may in fact make mobility scooter insurance mandatory.
Another argument for why you may want mobility scooter insurance is that these vehicles are becoming faster and more powerful. More and more models are becoming available at 8 mph or even 10 mph, and faster vehicles generally mean a higher risk of accidents.
If your mobility scooter only goes up to 4 mph then you may not feel too worried about needing to have it insured for accidents. But owners of faster mobility scooters with a top speed of 8 mph or higher may feel greater peace of mind with their scooter being insured.
There’s more to take into account than damages caused by crashes though. Mobility scooter insurance can protect you when it comes to theft or vandalism, and this may be a great kind of insurance to take out depending on where you live.
Mobility scooter insurance can even help you pay for certain fees or expenses in the event of needing to pay for a new replacement mobility scooter, or even with the costs of repairs should your scooter begin malfunctioning out of nowhere.
When selecting an insurance provider for your mobility scooter, it is always important to make sure that your insurance broker is a certified organization that is endorsed either by your government or a medical institution.
While mobility scooter insurance comes with several different kinds of policies, most plans fall under one of two main categories:
For example, in the event that you were to accidentally harm someone with your mobility scooter and were taken to court, your insurance would help you cover the damage expenses and court fees assigned to you.
In the event that you are the victim of either theft, vandalism or damage from another person’s vehicle, your insurance would help you cover the fees of either repair or with getting yourself an all-new replacement.
Regardless of which side of the damage and harm you are on, mobility scooter insurance can always be there to give you the extra financial support you need.
Many insurance policies offered by different brokers will indeed cover a mobility scooter. When it comes to purchasing a new scooter, they will often reimburse you for the cost you paid. In other circumstances, the insurance will also cover you for the cost of an all-new replacement you may need later down the line.
The best step, in this case, is to carefully examine the specific insurance policy of the broker you have decided to go with. Every insurance policy will have different criteria whether that be related to your own medical situation or the actual functions and build of the scooter itself. Knowing these details inside and out is necessary for knowing whether you and your mobility scooter will be covered by insurance.
While the benefits of acquiring mobility scooter insurance are very enticing, it cannot be emphasized enough that the steps required to get mobility scooter insurance can be quite arduous. In many cases, it can take anywhere from six to nine months to have your insurance fully set up, and this is usually due to the massive amount of paperwork required to become approved with your insurance broker.
For one thing, you can expect to be making a lot of trips to your local doctor before you can even reach the point of filling out the paperwork. People who become eligible for mobility scooter insurance almost always need documentation from a physician that they can then bring to an insurance company. This medical paperwork is mandatory for anyone who wants to receive scooter insurance benefits, and this process alone can sometimes take a couple of months.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will have to purchase the scooter yourself with your own money before the insurer gives you any reimbursement. Depending on which insurer you go with, the reimbursement could take another couple of months before it gets approved and goes through.
Another thing to take into account is that certain insurance companies will only insure specific mobility scooters. For example, many owners of mobility scooters find out that their scooter provider also gives them a homeowner policy that provides the owner certain liability protection for their brand of mobility scooters. The same logic applies to insurance companies: some brokers will only offer insurance protection on certain brands of scooters.
That means if you currently own a mobility scooter it may not be eligible for insurance from some insurance companies. It also means that your choices in selecting a new mobility scooter after signing up with a specific insurance plan may be somewhat limited.
Also, keep in mind that it is important to notify your insurance company when you are planning on buying a new scooter if you are already in the middle of an insurance plan. This will be necessary to make sure that your new mobility scooter is in fact covered by your plan.
One of the great things about mobility scooter insurance is that it is not nearly as expensive as car insurance. This is part of why more scooter riders should make the investment to acquire insurance as it will usually not leave too big a dent in your pocket.
Most insurers will cover you up to 80% or even 100% of the costs and expenses you will incur. It’s also important to note that generally speaking insurers will only approve coverage for a new mobility scooter once every five years. Luckily, there are exceptions to that, such as changes in your medical condition or damages to your vehicle so severe that they require a replacement scooter.
Your insurer will send you an Evidence of Coverage document that describes in detail all of your health care benefits including the criteria that their policies cover under your plan. This includes specific medical conditions as well as the specifications of your scooter, along with its features, dimensions and accessories.
Finally becoming approved for mobility scooter insurance can be a long process, but it can be easier if you are educated on what requirements will be expected of you. That way you will reduce the odds of being rejected and this will save you a lot of wasted time when it comes to doctor appointments, paperwork writing, and scooter shopping.
When it comes to medical requirements, you will need to prove to your insurer that you have succumbed to an injury, illness, condition or any sort of situation that has impaired your ability to walk around. Having authentic medical documentation on your impaired movement is going to be essential for being approved of mobility scooter insurance.
In all likelihood, you will have to undergo a series of tests with your local physician that will serve as proof to the insurer that your need for a mobility scooter is essential for you on a daily basis. Insurance companies are usually very picky and will only give out their plans to those who need it most, and your medical documentation is the proof they are looking for.
Some other details to keep in mind are how easily you can walk without assistance, or how easily you can get yourself from point A to point B, whether that be indoors or outdoors. Your ability to operate a mobility scooter will also be brought up. While you must have enough impaired mobility to receive insurance, you must also be physically sound enough to operate the vehicle safely so as not to be a threat to yourself or other people.
Your own mobility scooter will have to obey certain criteria as well to be eligible for insurance coverage. Depending on your specific plan and its policies, your selected mobility scooter will have to have a certain top speed, be designated in a certain class, and possess certain features.
For example, your mobility scooter may have to be a certain weight and size, have a certain number of wheels and may or may not need to have a suspension system that allows for more smoother rides on rougher terrain. Buying a scooter with all of the necessary features may make it a more expensive vehicle, but you will eventually be reimbursed for it, and all of the extra features will make it a safer and more comfortable ride anyway.
Acquiring mobility scooter insurance can be a bit of a hassle, but as the old saying goes: better safe than sorry. If you manage to get mobility scooter insurance approval then you’ll have a reliable safety net that will grant you protection in a wide variety of situations. Take advantage of the opportunity and give yourself and your mobility scooter the protection you deserve now.