The latest trend of E-Scooters has certainly hit our streets in the last year or so. You’ve most likely seen them whizzing past you in parks and in cities, and they’re no doubt an easy and environmentally friendly way to get around – but are they legal? And how does insurance work?
With towns and cities trying to reduce the pollution that traditionally powered vehicles produce, many have introduced specialist e-scooter schemes for members of the public to hire. London has recently agreed to a 12 month e-scooter trial in a number of its boroughs, which is due to start this Spring. The hire fees will include insurance and users must have a provisional driving licence – the scooters will only be able to be used on the road and in cycle lanes, but not on the pavement. A great way to get around the Capital.
It’s quite a different story for those who purchase their own e-scooter… Current UK law states that e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads and pavements – with users facing a £300 fine and 6 points on their driving licence if caught. As a result, private e-scooters can only legally be used on private land with the owner’s permission, which depending on the size of the land, might not get you too far.
So what about insurance?
The e-scooters hired as part of a scheme in towns and cities come with insurance included in the price. Insurance isn’t yet available for e-scooters being used in public places given their illegality. However, BP Insurance Brokers understands the ever changing market, so we can include cover to include e-scooters under contents and liability providing they’re used in accordance with the law.
We expect that the government will soon change the law to allow e-scooters to be used on the public road, most likely in a similar fashion to e-bikes.