Scoot at your own risk
Electric scooter-sharing services have exploded in major cities across the U.S. Before you hop on a shared scooter, it’s important to consider safety and potential risks. If you have policyholders who use Bird, Lime or another scooter service to get around, remind them that their auto and homeowners policies do not include coverage on a rented scooter.
Scooter sharing is simple: riders use the service’s mobile app to find a nearby scooter and are billed a $1 activation fee plus 15 cents per minute. They can conveniently leave it outside their destination for the next user to locate the scooter and ride.
When using the app, riders are required to accept a user agreement that waives the company’s liability of personal harm or property damage. Even more explicit, Bird’s policy warns users that personal auto insurance may not cover them while riding.
Although some scooter-sharing services offer them upon request, helmets are not provided with rented scooters, so many riders may choose to ride without safety gear. The Washington Post recently reported an uptick in emergency room visits due to scooter-related injuries.
Rental scooters are not covered under the liability, medical payments or physical damage portions of a personal auto policy, nor are they covered for liability in a homeowners policy.
Share these safety tips with policyholders interested in scooter sharing:
- Before you ride, remember to do a pre-ride safety check to ensure your scooter’s handlebars, brakes and wheels function properly.
- While riding, stay safe by using the scooter’s brakes to slow down and stop; be aware of your surroundings, like road obstructions, and always follow traffic laws.
- Don’t forget to use hand signals to communicate to others on the road if you’re making a left or right turn or are stopping.
Talk to your policyholders about the risks of riding rental scooters and encourage them to ride safely.