Does insurance cover electric scooter rentals?
By Allstate
Last updated: January 1
You've likely seen electric scooters available for rent on the sidewalks where you live. Thanks to the popularity of companies such as Bird, Lime and Spin, more than 85,000 scooters were available for public use in 100 U.S. cities in 2018, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
It may be easy to download a scooter rental app, sign up with your payment info and take a cruise around town. Before you go, though, you may want to consider the insurance implications of your ride. Here's what you should know about scooter sharing and insurance coverage.
Does my car insurance cover me when I rent a scooter?
The coverage on a personal car insurance policy does not extend to a rented electric scooter. That means if you're involved in an accident while driving a rental scooter, your car insurance policy will not pay for medical bills or property repairs (yours or another person's).
Similarly, if you have an insurance policy for your own scooter, it likely will not cover you when you rent an e-scooter.
What happens if I'm in a scooter accident?
Before you download a scooter-sharing app and take a ride, it's a good idea to review the scooter company's terms of use. Some companies' terms state that the rider accepts all responsibility for injuries, expenses and even damage to the scooter itself (minus normal wear and tear).
That means if you're driving a scooter and get in an accident:
- You may have to pay out of your own pocket to repair property damage to the scooter.
- You may have to pay your own medical bills if you're injured. You may also be able to use your health insurance.
- If you injure a pedestrian, you could be held liable for their medical expenses.
- If you damage another person's property (like their car) with a scooter, you could be held liable for repairs.
Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the scooter-sharing service's user agreement, so you know your responsibility as a rider.
What if my car is damaged because of a rideshare scooter?
If your car was damaged in an accident involving a rental scooter, you may be able to make a claim on your own car insurance policy. For example, say you swerved to avoid someone on an electric scooter and crashed. If you have collision coverage, it would help pay to repair damage to your vehicle, up to your coverage limit and minus your deductible.
If you accidentally injure a scooter driver, your auto liability coverage may help pay for their medical expenses.
Renting an electric scooter can be a fun way to get around town. Scooter-sharing companies advise that all scooter riders wear a helmet and follow local traffic laws. You also may want to brush up on scooter riding safety tips and parking etiquette. That way, you stay safe and help protect yourself and others on the road.
It's also important to understand that e-scooters come with insurance implications, so you can be better prepared if the unexpected occurs.