Scooter insurance is a motorcycle insurance policy that covers scooters, mopeds, and scooter riders. Most states require scooter insurance with at least the state minimum liability coverage. Some states exempt small mopeds and electric stand-up scooters from the insurance requirement. Scooter riding creates three main financial risks: injury claims, property damage claims, and theft. According to NHTSA, 6,228 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes across the United States in 2024. Insurance Navy helps scooter and moped riders compare quotes from several carriers. This guide explains scooter insurance requirements, coverage types, costs, discounts, and moped classifications.
Yes, in most states you need insurance for a scooter or moped. A scooter registered as a motorcycle needs a motorcycle insurance policy with at least the state minimum liability coverage. Some states exempt small mopeds from the insurance requirement.
Motorcycle and scooter riders face a far higher crash death risk than car occupants. According to NHTSA, the motorcyclist death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2024 was almost 27 times the rate for passenger-car occupants.
When Is Scooter Insurance Required?
Each state sets its own scooter insurance rule. The rule depends on how the state classifies your scooter.
Scooters registered as motorcycles: Most states require at least the state minimum liability coverage. Each state sets its own minimum limits.
Small mopeds: Some states exclude mopeds from the insurance law. Nevada’s liability insurance requirement does not apply to mopeds (NRS 485.185). Indiana’s financial responsibility law does not apply to motor driven cycles (IC 9-25-1-7).
Electric stand-up scooters: Separate rules apply. Indiana’s financial responsibility law excludes electric foot scooters (IC 9-25-1-7). Illinois lets riders use low-speed electric scooters without a driver’s license (625 ILCS 5/6-102).
An exemption removes only the legal requirement. A rider without liability coverage pays personally for the injuries and damage the rider causes.
What License Do You Need for a Scooter?
Many states set the scooter license class by engine size. Illinois issues a Class L license for motor-driven cycles under 150cc and a Class M license for motorcycles of 150cc or more. Indiana lets you ride a motor driven cycle with a driver’s license, a learner’s permit, or an ID card with a motor driven cycle endorsement (IC 9-21-11-12). Indiana also requires the motor driven cycle to be registered.
What Does Scooter Insurance Cover?
A scooter insurance policy uses the same coverages as a motorcycle insurance policy.
Liability: Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people. Liability coverage does not pay for your own injuries or for damage to your scooter.
Collision: Collision coverage pays to repair your scooter after a collision with another vehicle or an object. The payment is limited to the scooter’s book value minus your deductible.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, or vandalism. The payment is limited to the scooter’s book value minus your deductible.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical expenses, lost wages, and in some cases property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional in most states.
Medical payments: Medical payments coverage helps pay your medical bills after a scooter accident.
Custom parts and equipment: Standard policies often limit coverage for add-ons such as custom paint or a trailer. Check the limit before you add accessories.
Guest passenger liability: Guest passenger liability coverage protects you when a passenger is injured on your scooter. Availability depends on your state and your insurer.
How Much Does Scooter Insurance Cost?
Scooter insurance prices depend on you, your scooter, and the coverage you choose. A liability-only policy costs the least. Progressive advertises scooter and moped liability policies from $75 a year. Collision and comprehensive coverage raise the price, because the insurer then also pays to repair or replace your scooter.
Insurers price scooter insurance with the same factors they use for motorcycle insurance:
Your age
Your driving and riding record
Where you live and where you store the scooter
The scooter’s type and age
The number of miles you ride each year
The coverage and deductible you choose
Scooter Insurance Discounts
Scooter insurance discounts vary by state and insurer. Insurers commonly offer these discounts to scooter and motorcycle riders:
Rider training: completing a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) rider course
Multi-bike: insuring more than 1 bike
Multi-policy: buying your scooter policy from your auto or home insurer
Organization membership: belonging to a motorcycle club or rider association
Mature rider: a discount for experienced riders
Lay-up: suspending all coverage except comprehensive during the winter months, available mainly in northern states
What's the Difference Between a Scooter and a Moped?
A moped is a low-powered motorbike, usually with an engine of 50cc or less and a low top speed. A scooter is a step-through motorbike with a floorboard for your feet. State law treats a small scooter as a moped and a larger scooter as a motorcycle. Each state draws that line differently:
Indiana defines a motor driven cycle by a cylinder capacity of 50cc or less (IC 9-13-2-104.1). Indiana bars a motor driven cycle from going faster than 35 mph (IC 9-21-11-12).
Georgia defines a moped by engine size (50cc or less), power (2 brake horsepower), and top speed (30 mph).
When you request a quote, give the insurer the scooter’s engine size and top speed. The insurer uses those details to rate the scooter as the correct vehicle type.
How to Get Scooter Insurance
Check your state’s rules. Find out whether your state classifies your scooter as a moped or a motorcycle. Find out which license you need.
Gather your details. Have your driver’s license and the scooter’s year, make, model, engine size, and VIN ready.
Choose your coverage. Start with at least your state’s minimum liability coverage. Add collision and comprehensive coverage if the scooter is new, financed, or expensive to replace.
Compare quotes. Request quotes for the same coverage from several insurers. Ask each insurer which discounts apply.
Carry proof of insurance. Keep proof of insurance with you every time you ride.
Don’t let high premiums push you into driving without insurance. Insurance Navy compares scooter and moped quotes from several carriers.
Call us at 888-949-6289 or use our mobile app to request a quote. Agents can also help you in person at one of our many storefronts.
