Do mobility scooters in France need insurance?

Reader question: I am thinking of buying a mobility scooter to help me run errands in my village. If I do so, do I need insurance for it?

Yes, electric mobility scooters (scooter électrique pour personne à mobilité réduite) require insurance in France. 

All motorised vehicles require an insurance policy covering at least third-party liability, as stated in article L211-1 of France’s Code des assurances.

This applies both to vehicles used on public roads (or pavements, for lower-speed vehicles) and to those used exclusively on private property.

Read more: is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

If you cause an accident and are not insured, you are liable for all damages, and injury to yourself and damage to your scooter will not be covered even if you were not at fault for the incident. 

Some home insurance policies include electric scooter coverage as standard (usually with the minimum civil liability cover), meaning you may already be covered.

However, this only applies to scooters with a speed capped at 6 km/h. For those with a top speed higher than this you must obtain separate insurance. 

Note that faster scooters are subject to a number of other requirements, which you can read about in our article here.

Optional extras for policies can include protection against damage, fire, theft, etc.

Most major insurers will offer policies for electric scooters, similar to car or motorcycle insurance, although usually cheaper. 

Policies cost about €60 to €100 per year, but prices vary on factors including:

• The type, cost, and speed of the electric scooter 

• How it is to be used (short local trips, longer journeys, use only at home, etc)

• Driver profile (for example, if there have been previous accidents)