Mobility scooters are more than a convenient, safe, and easy-to-use method of movement for those who need assistance ambulating around the house or getting to where they need to be; mobility scooters are often the sole method of transport available to those who rely upon them. Because of the growing ubiquity of mobility scooters on roads, sidewalks, and bike paths, this increased density of mobility scooter riders making their way onto roads and other thoroughfares is putting mobility riders themselves, motorists, and other pedestrians at risk. 

As one Australian-based study indicates, these scooters are quickly costing more than the lives of mobility scooter operators themselves—it’s costing lots of money in medical bills and damages as more and more senior citizens who operate these devices are finding themselves in the hospital with serious injuries. In the United States, it’s not uncommon to see these mobility scooters scooting alongside cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles in major metropolises or areas with high concentrations of senior citizens. Naturally, with this increase in mobility scooter riders, there is a correlated increase in accidents—one study showing a 21 percent increase in mobility scooter accidents. 

By proxy, with an increase in accidents, so too is the increase of concerns regarding health insurance and how it affects those involved in mobility scooter accidents. Naturally, this topic raises another important question: does health insurance cover mobility scooters?

Mobility Scooter Insurance

Regarding the aforementioned question: in short, no. While you cannot get a health insurance policy related to the scooter itself, you can get a mobility scooter through your healthcare provider. This lack of insurance also has an impact on civil liability in these instances.

In the United States, depending on the jurisdiction in particular, some states determine civil liability in a crash based on the comparative damage, whereas other states may be no-fault states, meaning, no matter who was involved in the crash, insurance providers for all parties will cover the damage. In the case of mobility scooters, they are not considered motor vehicles, as they are not required to be insured. 

It should be noted that in the state of Florida, any vehicle on four wheels must be registered to receive insurance and must have a license plate lawfully affixed to the vehicle.

That said, because these scooters do not require insurance, it is still incumbent upon a mobility scooter operator to use extreme caution and to keep a few considerations in mind no matter where they operate a scooter:

Civil Liability

If you are an operator of a mobility scooter and you operate it in a culpably negligent manner, depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances, you may still be liable for damages if you cause an accident that results in permanent disability, great bodily harm, or death of pedestrians or motorists.

Handle With Care 

Whenever you operate a mobility scooter, keep in mind that there are no health insurance policies on mobility scooters or riders. That means, if you are struck or injured because you were operating the scooter in a careless manner, or you were driving it in the middle of a roadway, you will not be covered.

Plan Your Trip 

Before embarking on your daily journey, make sure you’re aware of where you have to operate the scooter. If getting where you need to go forces you to operate the scooter through an unauthorized thoroughfare or in a dangerous manner, it’s best to find an alternative means of transport. No matter how important an appointment, your life and well-being always supersedes having to take a risky trip on a mobility scooter. 

With these safety tips in mind, you need a mobility scooter that’s reliable, safe, and effective at getting you where you need to go. You need a mobility scooter from Yellow Scooters.

Scoot Along Safely With Yellow Scooters

While health insurance policies on mobility scooters are hard to come by, it doesn’t mean you can’t get access to a mobility scooter, stroller rental, or other means of mobility in safe and reliable manner. You can’t get mobility scooters covered by insurance, but at Yellow Scooters, we do offer accidental damage insurance should any issues arise with you scooter rental. At Yellow Scooters, we are the premier providers of custom mobility rental equipment in the Disney World, Universal, and Orlando attractions areas. To rent a scooter for yourself or a loved one, give us a call at 1-855-274-3363 or view our online contact form today.