Riding a scooter can be a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to driving. It can also be downright fun. In some states, scooters are treated like motorcycles, and to drive them legally on public roads, you’ll need to insure them.
The terms motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds are often used somewhat interchangeably, which can make it a bit confusing to understand when you need insurance and when you don’t. Each state will have its own definitions. Here’s a closer look.
Key Points
• Insurance is typically required for scooters with engine sizes of 50 cubic centimeters or larger, with liability coverage representing the most common mandatory requirement.
• Mopeds feature engines of 50cc or smaller with bicycle pedals and reach 30 mph speeds, while scooters have 50-250cc engines capable of 70 mph
• Coverage options include liability for bodily injury and property damage, collision for accident-related damage, and comprehensive protection against theft, vandalism, and natural disasters
• Basic liability coverage starts around $75 annually, with costs varying based on age, location, driving history, engine size, and frequency of vehicle use
• Premium reductions are possible through higher deductibles and bundling policies with home or auto insurance, though gig work requires separate commercial coverage policies
Do Scooters and Mopeds Need Insurance?
While rules and regulations vary by state, in general, whether or not you need to carry insurance will depend on engine size. If you ride a scooter that has an engine size of 50 cubic centimeters (cc) or more, insurance may be required—typically liability insurance.
A 50 cc engine is a relatively standard size for most scooters and mopeds, but if you do have one with a smaller engine, you may be able to ride it legally without insurance.
Recommended: Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance: What It Covers
What Counts As a Scooter vs. a Moped?
The terminology surrounding scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles can get a little fuzzy. Mopeds tend to be relatively small, with an engine size of 50 cc or smaller. They are generally considered to be motorized bikes and often have pedals that you can use to power the vehicle when the engine is off. Mopeds are generally relatively slow, reaching top speeds of about 30 miles per hour.
Scooters typically have bigger engines—from about 50 cc to 250 cc—and they likely don’t have bicycle-style pedals. Bigger engines mean they are capable of greater speed, and they could reach upward of 70 miles per hour. That puts them about on par with traditional motorcycles.
Scooters and motorcycles typically differ in terms of how their frame is designed. However, many states don’t differentiate between the two legally.
What a Typical Scooter or Moped Policy Covers
Scooter insurance can consist of several different types of coverage, each of which protects you in different scenarios. In this way, it works a lot like how auto insurance works. While liability coverage is typically required by law, you may want to consider other types of coverage as well. Whether insuring a car or motorcycle, be sure to look at the terms and conditions carefully before settling on a policy.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
There are two types of liability coverage. If you cause an accident, bodily injury coverage helps pay the medical expenses of someone else who is injured in the accident. Property damage liability pays for repairs to property that is damaged in an accident that you cause.
Coverage for Damage After a Crash
Collision coverage pays for damage to your scooter if you are in an accident with another vehicle. It also protects you in case you hit stationary objects, just as a tree, guardrail, or building.
Collision coverage typically carries a deductible. This is the amount of money that you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. So, if you have a $500 deductible and you’re in an accident that causes $750 worth of damage. You’ll need to pay the first $500, and your insurance company will step in and pay the remaining $250.
You’ll often have the option to choose between deductibles when you pick a policy. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payment.
Protection Against Theft and Vandalism
Comprehensive coverage helps protect your scooter from damage that occurs outside of a collision, such as if your scooter is vandalized or stolen. It also typically covers you in case of natural disasters, such as fires, floods, hailstorms, and even falling objects, such as tree limbs.
Medical Payments Coverage
If you’re injured in an accident and need help paying your medical bills, medical payments coverage can protect you. Similarly, personal injury protection can help pay medical bills, but also lost wages for the time you need to take off from work to recover after an accident.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Protection
Though states may require motorists to carry a minimum amount of insurance, they don’t always carry enough to cover all the damage done in an accident. Also, unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there operating their vehicles outside of the law without insurance.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection can step in when someone doesn’t carry insurance or doesn’t have enough and help you pay for things like medical bills, and in some places, repairs to damage done to your scooter.
How Much Insurance Do You Need?
Each state has its minimum insurance requirements. For instance, in California, the minimum liability limits are 30/60/15, meaning $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. That said, other coverage may be recommended to help ensure that you are fully protected.
How Much Scooter and Moped Insurance Costs
In general, scooter liability coverage could start as low as about $75 per year. However, several factors come into play to determine the cost of scooter insurance, including age, location, driving history, type of vehicle, and the amount of coverage that you purchase. For instance, insurance might be higher for someone who is under the age of 25. For older drivers with a clean driving history that goes back many years, insurance may be much lower.
How much your scooter is worth can also have an impact on your insurance premiums. Determining the value of a motorcycle or scooter is important before shopping for coverage.
Engine size has a big impact on the cost of insurance. Vehicles with smaller engines are less powerful and could have lower insurance costs than vehicles with larger engines.
Another key fact is how much you drive your scooter. Drive it every day, and your insurance rates will likely be much higher than if you use it recreationally on the weekends, for example.
Ways to Lower Your Premium
You may be able to lower your premium by raising the deductible on things like collision coverage. You may also be able to get a discount if you bundle your scooter insurance with other policies, such as home or auto insurance.
Check with your insurance to see what discounts they offer. Some, for example, will offer you a lower rate if you take a motorcycle safety course.
Recommended: How Much Auto Insurance Do I Really Need?
The Takeaway
If you drive a scooter with an engine size of 50 cc or more, your state will likely require that you carry minimum liability insurance to drive it legally. That said, liability insurance alone doesn’t cover you in all scenarios, so you may want to consider adding additional coverages to keep you protected.
When you’re ready to shop for auto insurance, SoFi can help. Our online auto insurance comparison tool lets you see quotes from a network of top insurance providers within minutes, saving you time and hassle.
SoFi brings you real rates, with no bait and switch.
FAQ
Does scooter insurance cover food delivery or gig work?
Standard scooter insurance may not cover you if you are using your scooter for gig work. It is important to check with your employer and the state about whether you will need a commercial policy to make sure you are fully protected.
Are electric scooters insured differently from gas-powered models?
Electric scooters are not typically classified as motor vehicles. States may not require that you carry insurance, though certain carriers may offer it.
Can you insure a scooter without a motorcycle license?
You do not necessarily need to be licensed to insure your scooter; however, rules will vary by insurer.
Is theft covered if the scooter is stolen from the street?
If you have comprehensive insurance, it should cover the cost of replacing your scooter if it is stolen from the street.
Can you pause scooter insurance during the winter months?
In the winter months, when your scooter isn’t being used, it’s possible to lower limits, remove coverage, or even cancel your policy. That said, doing so can leave your scooter unprotected, so it’s important to think carefully before reducing your coverage.
Photo credit: iStock/ArtistGNDphotography
Auto Insurance: Must have a valid driver’s license. Not available in all states.
Home and Renters Insurance: Insurance not available in all states.
Experian is a registered trademark of Experian.
SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC. (“”SoFi””) is compensated by Experian for each customer who purchases a policy through the SoFi-Experian partnership.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SOPRO-Q126-082