If you suffer with reduced or impaired mobility that requires you to use a mobility scooter to retain control over your day-to-day life, you may be wondering how the UK government regulates these vehicles on public highways and whether you need insurance in order to safely operate your mobility aid.
Having insurance cover for your mobility aid is not a legal requirement. However, the DVLA have issued the following statement strongly recommending it:
“Although it is not a legal requirement, it is strongly advised to have mobility scooter insurance. Suitable schemes are not too expensive and are available to cover your personal safety, other people’s safety and the value of the vehicle.”
After all, mobility aids often have a significant impact on your independence if you suffer with a condition or illness which affects your ability to get around. Should it get damaged or stolen, insurance would protect this valuable and sometimes essential self-sufficiency.
You may be the best driver in the world, but you still run the risk of being involved in an accident. Should a negligence claim arise against you from the use of your mobility vehicle, if you have damaged property or injured a pedestrian, insuring your mobility scooter will relieve the financial strain of this innocent but costly mistake. In cases such as these, you can never be too cautious. Some insurance policies will also include mobility scooter breakdown cover, so you’ll be able to get home safely should your vehicle let you down unexpectedly.
It’s important to note that the only person insured to drive your mobility scooter is the person named on the insurance policy schedule. Other people may move your scooter for you with your permission, but if they drive it, they are breaking your policy.
For all of Wild & Wacky’s products, mobility scooter insurance is available from a wide range of specialist providers. Whether you are interested in our luxury Cabin Car, with its fully secure remote central locking, reversing camera and sensors to help you park safely and toughened glass windows, our two-seater Tandem scooter, perfect for adding an extra pair of eyes and ears to your driving or the motorbike-like Black Viper, with its attractive, streamlined and blacked-out bodywork a potential draw for thieves.
When it comes to getting insurance, protecting your property and, by extension, your independence, should always be the first priority.
