So, you bought an E-Scooter but is it covered by your insurance?

E-scooters have risen in popularity over the past couple of years as a cool, hip and environmentally friendly option for people to move around.

An E-scooter is considered a ‘rideable’ or personal mobility device and when riding one you need to abide by state government laws.

Unlike a motor vehicle, you generally do not have to register them but you do need to comply with all your states Government rules.

Given some of our clients have paid up to $10,000 for an E-Scooter, we thought we would do some digging.

Most of our insurers will cover the E-Scooter itself, and liability can be provided in some cases under the Contents Section of your House Policy subject to the following:

• It does not require registration in your state
• The E-scooter is legally compliant and meets all the conditions for use, size, etc, as set out by the government and transport authority
• It is being used for private use only, and abiding by all rules as to its use 
• The E-scooter is limited to 25kmh and 60kg max.

When we reached out to different insurers including direct insurers and we received varying responses: 

• One has advised that the E-scooter would be covered under contents as it is under the 250cc capacity and is not required to be registered, any Liability would also be covered.
• Another advised that as long as the E-scooter does not require registration in the insureds state AND The E-scooter is legally compliant AND meets all the conditions for use, size, etc, as set out by the government and transport authority AND The customer is using it for private use only AND abiding by all rules as to its use. Then cover for the item and liability is provided.
• Another has said, of course its covered, unless your using it…..
• Another has not confirmed as yet, seemed quite perplexed and did not confirm nor deny they are covered… but will come back and let us know

Given all the varying responses, please contact us if you have purchased an E-Scooter recently, so you can have peace of mind, everyone’s situation appears to be different.

We all know E-Scooters can be fun but please also play safe on them, not just for your own safety but for those around you in your community.

For further information around the laws in QLD, you can refer to this link