Electric scooter insurance: obligation, coverage, and considerations for high-powered machines

Yes, electric scooter insurance is mandatory, and homeowner's insurance is not sufficient. The Insurance Code considers electric scooters as motor vehicles, just like motorcycles. Therefore, the owner must have a specific liability insurance policy. According to road safety authorities, 59% of electric personal mobility device (EDPM) riders involved in accidents in 2024 were not insured. This guide explains the obligation, useful coverage options, penalties, and what this means for a powerful machine.

Why is insurance mandatory?

The rule established by the Road Safety Authority is straightforward: any vehicle that can move solely through the power of its motor is considered a motor vehicle and must be insured. A vehicle that cannot move without the constant effort of a human muscle is not subject to this requirement. This explains the differences:

• Standard bicycle: No insurance required.
• Electric bicycle (e-bike): The motor only provides assistance when pedaling and cuts off at speeds above 25 km/h; no mandatory insurance is required.
• High-speed electric bicycle (often referred to as a "speed bike") exceeding 25 km/h: mandatory insurance. See our guide electric bicycle, speedelec, and moped.
• Electric scooters, electric unicycles, gyroscopic scooters, and hoverboards: Mandatory insurance is required for these devices, whether they are privately owned or rented.

The owner of the vehicle is always responsible for obtaining insurance. For a shared scooter, this means the operator. The website service-public.fr advises checking the insurance terms and conditions in the rental agreement.

What the insurance covers, and what it does not cover

Civil liability, the legal minimum

It covers the damages you cause to others: for example, an injured pedestrian, a cyclist knocked over, or a damaged car. This is the only mandatory type of insurance. It does not cover damages to yourself or your scooter.

Optional warranties

Insurance companies often offer the following as optional extras:

• Driver's insurance, which covers your own injuries when you are at fault or solely responsible. For a fast and heavy vehicle, this is the most important insurance coverage after liability insurance;
• theft, which is often subject to anti-theft conditions, as explained in our guide on theft protection;
• Damage to the vehicle, in the event of a fall or vandalism;
• Legal assistance and protection.

Please read the exclusions listed in each contract: driver's age, maximum vehicle speed, professional use, and anti-theft conditions.

Sanctions

According to service-public.fr and the French Road Safety Agency, operating or maintaining a motor vehicle on public roads without insurance is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of up to €3,750 if the case goes to court. The vehicle may be impounded, towed to a storage facility, or confiscated, and additional penalties may be imposed. In some cases, a fixed fine may replace a court trial; the conditions and amounts of these fines are detailed on service-public.fr.

The fine is not the most significant consequence. As the Road Safety Agency reminds us, any bodily injury or property damage caused to others remains entirely the responsibility of the uninsured driver, and potentially their heirs. A serious injury can result in costs that no one can afford to pay on their own.

The case of high-powered electric scooters

An electric scooter can only be used on public roads if its maximum speed, as designed, does not exceed 25 km/h. Exceeding this speed results in a fine of €1,500 (category 5), and the DGCCRF (French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) specifies that there is no approval process for this type of vehicle. Even if insurance is obtained, it does not make the scooter legal for use on public roads.

With a modified or excessively fast vehicle, the problem extends to insurance: the vehicle no longer matches the one declared in the contract. The insurer may challenge its warranty or take legal action against you after having compensated a victim. Our guide on modified electric scooters details the penalties associated with modifying the vehicle.

Our terms and conditions of sale clearly state that the vehicles we sell with a speed exceeding 25 km/h are intended for private or closed-off areas and are not delivered with registration or road insurance.

And what about on a track?

On track or in competition, insurance is the responsibility of the organizer and the rider: license, event insurance, and track regulations. The conditions vary from one track day to another; please inquire about them before registering. Our guide on track days explains how to prepare, and our E'trott Racing page presents the championship in which our team competes.