Scooter insurance can cover you for accidental damage, crashes, storms, theft and much more. In most cases, you can get covered by a motorcycle insurance policy — but only if you have a 50cc engine or above.
You wouldn't ride without a helmet, so why would you ride without insurance?
Although your registration will require you to have compulsory third party insurance (CTP), that will only cover the victim’s medical bills if you cause an accident.
CTP won’t help out if anything happens to the victim’s property or yours, but moped and scooter insurance can. If you’re wondering how expensive it could be to damage someone else’s property, just imagine smashing into a brand new BMW!
Moped and scooter insurance can also cover you if someone steals your ride. With such a small footprint, mopeds and scooters are attractive to thieves and joyriders. In fact, police departments throughout Australia are working for ways to curb scooter thefts – which police say are often stolen and then dumped shortly after.
How do I cover my scooter or moped?
You can actually get your scooter and moped covered by a motorcycle insurance policy in most cases. Some motorcycle insurance policies also offer more tailored insurance policies such as the following:
Third party property motorcycle insurance. Third party property (TPP) insurance will cover any damages you cause to other people’s property, such as their car or their house, when you cause an accident with your moped or scooter. It does not cover your vehicle at all.
Third party fire and theft motorcycle insurance. Third party fire and theft (TPFT) insurance covers everything that TPP does, plus damage to your vehicle caused by any kind of fire or theft. It does not cover any other type of damage, including damage from storms, vandalism or accidents you cause
Comprehensive motorcycle insurance. This covers everything TPP and TPFT covers plus damage to your vehicle from a host of other situations including storms, other natural disasters besides fires, parking lot dings and even accidents you cause. It sometimes offers additional perks like key replacement and a rental car to use while your moped or scooter is being fixed.
What does each scooter insurance type cover?
Here is a breakdown of all three levels of insurance you can get, and how they will protect your scooter or moped.
Feature
Comprehensive
Third party fire and theft
Third party property damage
You cause an accident with your scooter or moped and damage someone’s property
An uninsured driver causes an accident and damages your scooter or moped
A thief steals your scooter or moped
Fire damages your scooter or moped
You cause an accident and damage your scooter or moped
Your scooter or moped is damaged by storm, hail, flood, earthquake or vandalism
How do you find cheap scooter insurance?
If you’re looking to save money on your scooter insurance policy, there are ways you can bring down the cost and still walk away with cover that’s right for you. Here are some tips:
Buy a less powerful scooter. Your costs will usually be higher the more powerful your scooter is because more power means higher maximum speed and higher maximum speed means higher risk of accidents. You can usually reduce your costs by going with a less powerful scooter.
Store your scooter in a safe place. Your insurer will base your costs partially on where and how you park your scooter. You are more likely to save on your premiums if you store your scooter or moped in a secure garage.
Choose a lower level of cover. If you’re OK going without the full protection of a comprehensive policy, you can save money by going with something a little lighter on cover, like third party fire and theft or third party property.
Limit your riding. Insurers will usually ask you how many kilometres you travel in a year and may offer lower rates for fewer kilometres. If you end up making a claim and an investigation shows that you clock significantly more kilometres than you promised, your claim could be denied or your premiums increased.
Drive safely. Some insurers reward safe drivers with lower premiums so be sure to let them know if you’ve completed any rider safety training.
Opt for a higher excess. Each time you successfully claim, you will be required to pitch in toward the repairs or replacement. If you choose a higher excess, insurers believe you’ll be less likely to claim. In return, you get cheaper premiums.
Shop around. Prices can vary widely from insurer to insurer, even for a similar level of cover on the same scooter or moped. Shop around to make sure you’re not paying too much.
Look for discounts. Many insurers will offer discounts to attract new business. Keep an eye out for new customer discounts and discounts for owning more than one policy with the same insurer (such as scooter, business and home insurance).
Who offers insurance for scooters and mopeds?
There are quite a few insurers who offer insurance for scooters and mopeds. It will usually be the same as a motorcycle insurance policy and if your vehicle is 50cc or less, they’ll just notate that it’s a moped on your policy.
These insurers all offer scooter and moped insurance in Australia:
Youi
NRMA
AAMI
Swann
Suncorp
Real Insurance
GIO
RAC
Apia
Do you have to have insurance for your scooter?
In Australia, it is mandatory to have compulsory third-party insurance (CTP), which can also go by the name transport accident charge or greenslip. The purpose of CTP is to pay for the medical bills of any innocent drivers or passengers you injure in an accident.
It’s compulsory because it ensures that innocent victims get the medical treatment they deserve. That means it also protects you because you won’t be on the hook for all those medical expenses.
The law doesn’t require you to have insurance above the level of CTP. However, some banks and other lenders may require you to have a higher level of cover as a condition of the loan.
Plus, it is a good idea to have a higher level of cover anyway, so that you’re protected if you damage someone else’s property or your own.
What’s the difference between a scooter and a moped?
A scooter is a style of two-wheeled vehicle that a rider mounts by stepping through it and resting their feet on a platform (as opposed to stepping over it like on a motorcycle). Scooters can have an engine size of anywhere from 49 - 250cc.
A moped isn’t a style of vehicle at all. It refers to any two-wheel vehicle with an engine size of 50cc or less that is incapable of speeds higher than 50km/h. That means a 50cc scooter is technically considered a moped.
In some states you don’t need a special motorcycle license to ride scooters and mopeds of 50cc or less on the road (although you will need at least a normal car licence). However, any scooter above 50cc will require you to have a motorcycle licence.
Regardless of engine size, you will need CTP insurance if you’re riding it on the road. You should also strongly consider higher levels of moped and scooter insurance like third party fire and theft or comprehensive.
What are some moped and scooter insurance exclusions?
There will be situations where your scooter and moped insurance will not cover you. All insurers have these exclusions and will list them in their policy documents. Here are some of the most common:
You were being reckless or breaking the law. Your insurance won’t cover you if you were drink driving, transporting drugs, fleeing the police, doing burnouts or participating in any other illegal or reckless behaviour.
You tried to claim for storm, flood or bushfire too soon. Most insurers will make you wait 48-72 hours after buying the policy before you can make a claim for bushfire, flood or storm damages.
You didn’t report your scooter stolen. Most insurers will only cover you for theft if you report the theft to the police. If your uncle steals your scooter and you decide not to inform the police, you won’t be covered for any damages.
You’ve made modifications or used fluids that weren’t recommended. Your insurer can deny your claim if you make modifications, add accessories or use fluids (like oil, gas and lubricants) that your scooter’s manufacturer does not recommend.
You didn’t take care of the scooter. Most insurers won’t cover you for damage you could have prevented – for example, damage caused by not fitting fuel and oil caps properly or by escaping liquids (unless the liquids escaped as a direct result of an accident).
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Brad Buzzard was a content writer at Finder working across insurance including travel, life, health, business, car, pet and home. Brad brought with him a wealth of experience as a journalist, content writer, social media manager and researcher, being in the industry for almost 2 decades by the time he joined. Before working for Finder, Brad’s expertise could be seen across TLC Marketing, Reborn, DDB Group, We Are Social, Nielsen and Wheeling News- Register, varying across Australia and the United States.
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