The Complete Guide to Electric Scooter Insurance in Spain: Costs, Coverage & More

As you walk around most cities these days, you are hard pushed not to see an abundance of various forms of electric vehicles from electric cars, buses, and bikes to the relatively new kid on the block, the electric scooter.

In fact, electric scooters have been around longer than you think. The first motorized scooter, the Autoped, was introduced in 1915 in New York and was a precursor to modern scooters that appeared in the late 1990s due to the rise of lithium-ion batteries. However, it wasn’t until the last 5 years or so that we have experienced the “Micromobility Boom” with shared e-scooter services dramatically increasing their use and popularity.

Love them or hate them, this personal transport option provides various benefits for both the rider and wider community. There is the obvious environmental benefit of lowering CO2 emissions due to the reduction in the number of cars being used for short commutes, which also has the added benefit of decreasing traffic jams, in central areas at least. The convenience aspect of being able to travel approximately 7 miles in around 10 minutes, and the reduced need for car parking at each destination, makes them the perfect option for getting from one side of the city to another for various demographic groups.

I’m sure you will agree that with the increased number of people using electric scooters on our city streets, there has also been an increase in the number of people seeing them as a nuisance and they have come under scrutiny. However, there has been a concerted effort made by governing bodies to ensure safety and proper usage, and electric scooters are now subject to specific regulations in many countries.

Here are some of the key rules for the use of electric scooters – or VMP´s (vehiculos de movilidad personal) in Spain.

Usage/Road rules:

• Speed Limit: Electric scooters cannot exceed 25 km/h. If they do, they need to be re-classified as mopeds and will require additional documentation.
• Designated Areas: VMP´s must only be used on roads, or designated cycle or scooter lanes. Riding on pavements, pedestrian areas, or motorways is prohibited, and riders can receive a fine for non-compliance.
• Equipment Requirements: Electric Scooters must have functional brakes, bells, lights, and reflectors. And in some cities, for example Malaga and Barcelona, wearing a helmet is mandatory, so you should check local rules for your area.
• Mobiles/Alcohol/drugs: As with any other vehicles, you must not use a mobile phone or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs whilst driving a VMP.
  
  

Certification/documentation:

• Certification & Registration: Since January 2024 there is a requirement that all new VMP´s must comply with specific technical requirements and be certified. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has a handy list of recommended models. (If you have a previous model, which was bought before this regulation kicked in, you can continue to use it until the end of 2026.) It is also expected that official vehicle registration will become mandatory in 2026 as part of additional DGT regulations to improve road safety.

• Electric Scooter Insurance: As of 2024, ALL electric scooters in Spain are required to have insurance cover in the form of a civil liability policy. This covers potential damages to third parties and was previously only mandatory for rental scooters.

The final point is one which raises the most questions, often due to the different types of users of electric scooters… so let me clear up the grey areas regarding insurance for you…

The most important point it that…Civil liability insurance is mandatory for ALL users of electric scooters in Spain, this applies to both private owners and shared service providers.

Private Owners/Users: If you own an electric scooter, you are required by law to have a civil liability policy. This insurance is to cover damage to third parties, if you accidentally cause harm to someone or their property while using your scooter, and compensation, such as covering medical costs and providing compensation for injuries caused to others. It should also include legal expenses to cover any costs associated with legal defence in case of any disputes, and

For Shared Services (e.g., Lime): When using shared electric scooters, the responsibility for civil liability insurance typically lies with the rental company or service provider. Companies like Lime usually include this coverage as part of their service. However, you need to check the terms and conditions of the service to confirm the extent of the coverage and if you frequently use shared scooters, then I would say having your own personal liability insurance policy can provide extra peace of mind, as you have control over the level of cover and will not be stuck in the middle of a legal dispute between the company and the injured party should anything happen.

How much does electric scooter insurance cost?

You may think that this is an additional expense that you shouldn’t have to pay, after all you don’t need insurance for riding a bicycle. But you need to be realistic and factor in that now, with these new smaller and nippier motorised vehicles on the road the general flow of traffic is changing as cars, buses and trucks adapt to driving alongside VMP´s and the likelihood of accidents has generally increased.

Policies from 32€ per year, are available for electric scooter insurance from Caser Expat Insurance. This means that for just 9 cents per day, you will have the peace of mind that you are covered physically and legally if you are involved in an accident or collision with another vehicle or pedestrian.

You can create a bespoke policy for your civil liability insurance to include…

• Damage/compensation to third parties - for bodily and/or material damages you may unintentionally cause to others as a user of a personal mobility vehicle.
  You also select the total compensation limit for coverage, which is in 3 levels, €150,000, €300,000 or €600,000
• Legal Defence/Civil and Criminal Bonds – You will have access to experienced in-house lawyers to address third-party claims and legal proceedings.
• Personal bodily injury or death – Compensation of up to 6,000€ will be awarded to beneficiaries in the event of the insured’s death or permanent disability due to an accident with their personal mobility vehicle.
• Medical/Transportation Assistance – If you have an accident and require medical assistance, your transport to the hospital and later to your home is covered, without financial limits. If you need to be transported and cannot take care of your VMP, we will collect it from the accident site and deliver it to your home.
  
  

These new regulations play a crucial role in enhancing road safety and ensuring higher levels of accountability from electric scooter riders. The rules and regulations, such as speed limits, technical specifications, designated riding zones and certification and insurance obligations have been created to protect both rider and pedestrians. Electric scooters offer a convenient, eco-friendly alternative for short-distance travel, so its up to us to be responsible and follow the rules to promote a safe and sustainable future on our roads.

Happy scootering!