For years there has been a debate about whether or not it is necessary to implement mandatory insurance for electric scooters in Spain. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has repeated on numerous occasions that, sooner or later, the policy will be essential to travel on public roads in a personal mobility vehicle (VMP). However, experts must first decide whether that insurance is associated with scooters or their drivers.
And it is an urgent matter to regulate, given that accidents involving scooters have been increasing in recent years. According to data from the Daily Insurance Bulletin (BDS), in 2022, 229 electric scooter accidents were recorded in Spain, with a total of 12 deaths. The majority of these incidents (89%) were collisions with passenger cars, while collisions with pedestrians were the second most numerous cause.
In the absence of establishing regulations at the national level, it is the municipalities that regulate this issue through their municipal ordinances. They can also decide whether or not to wear a helmet and vest, as well as the minimum age for driving. However, there are some common rules imposed by the DGT, such as the prohibition of driving on the sidewalk or exceeding the permitted speed limit.
In some cities in the country it is already mandatory to have insurance or use a helmet, while in most municipalities it is not yet. A situation that generates confusion among citizens. In fact, 53% of Spaniards do not know if it is mandatory or not to take out a policy for electric scooters, according to the Study on personal mobility vehicles, prepared by Rastreator. Of course, the report indicates that 75% of those surveyed believe that it is advisable to have insurance to travel with this type of vehicle.
The options when taking out a policy for an electric scooter are multiple, since a good part of the companies already offer this type of insurance due to the increase in customers in recent years. From the most basic to the most complex, there are alternatives that adapt to the needs of each user.
According to the study of the aforementioned insurance comparator, the average price in Spain of the basic policies for an electric scooter stands at 20 euros per year. On the other hand, customers who opt for more comprehensive insurance, which logically offers more guarantees, pay an average of around 90 euros per year.
The most basic insurances include, at least, civil liability coverage, which is usually the mandatory minimum requirement. With this coverage, the insurance covers the expenses derived from damages caused to third parties up to the limit established by the policy. Normally, these versions cover civil liability of up to 150,000 euros. Likewise, they can include roadside assistance and even in some cases legal protection.
As with car insurance, as the price increases, the coverage improves and the liability limits increase. In this case, the most complete policies include “all kinds of guarantees such as medical expenses, theft, damage to the scooter or hospitalization subsidy,” says the head of Rastreator’s insurance companies, VÃctor López.
On the other hand, in the case of other personal mobility vehicles, such as scooters or segways, you can also contract full insurance with an average price of around 130 euros per year and with coverage related to, for example, vehicle fire and associated expenses, as well as death or disability resulting from an accident.
