Your Guide to Mobility Scooter Insurance and Coverage

According to a recent survey completed by Scooters Australia, 25% of mobility scooter users have had an accident at some point, even if it was only a minor accident. Quite often, mobility scooter accidents are caused by poorly made footpaths or ramps, car accidents, or pedestrian accidents. 

Like any vehicle, a mobility scooter can also sometimes malfunction or need spare parts. It could also be stolen - a distressing thought, but there are always opportunists out there who would steal a mobility scooter!

For many, a mobility scooter is an everyday essential and source of livelihood. Losing your mobility scooter to theft, an accident, or a malfunction can be incredibly inconvenient, if not devastating. 

With this in mind, many mobility scooter owners seek insurance to cover their scooter in case of an emergency. Mobility scooter insurance is most definitely available, but the question is who provides this insurance. 

Can the NDIS cover mobility scooter insurance in Australia? Do disability equipment suppliers cover malfunctions and spare parts? Does insurance need to be sourced from a third party?

We’re here to help. In this article, we offer guidance around mobility scooter insurance and where you can find a reliable insurer.

Can i get a mobility scooter insurance through the NDIS?

The NDIS is designed to make everyday life easier for people living with disabilities who are under the age of 65, as well as their carers. The NDIS can cover elements like therapy sessions, support to go out and about, providing staff to help around the house and cooking meals, or even just getting ready for the day. 

The NDIS covers three key categories: 

1. Core support (everyday support and staffing)
2. Capacity building (equipment assessments or skill-building, usually with professionals like occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, assistive technology providers etc)
3. Capital (high and low-risk assistive technology like mobility equipment, vehicle modifications, prosthetic devices and orthotics, and home modifications)

While the NDIS can help fund the purchase of a mobility scooter, it is often difficult to claim insurance under the NDIS. Most NDIS managers find it hard to find a line item to put into your NDIS plan to cover wheelchair or mobility scooter insurance.

You might be able to cover your insurance premiums using your NDIS budget, but for the most part, we recommend sourcing third party insurance to cover your mobility scooter.

Where else can I get mobility scooter insurance in Australia?

While there aren’t many mobility scooter insurance companies in Australia, there are reputable providers who can cover your scooter in the event of an accident, theft, or malfunction.

Blue Badge Insurance, for example, has developed a comprehensive insurance policy for mobility scooters, covering:

• Repair or replacement of a damaged mobility scooter
• Loss or damage by fire, flood, theft or vandalism
• Third-party injury cover that protects you if you hit and injure somebody while using your mobility scooter
• Third-party property coverage to protect you if you hit and damage somebody’s property while using your mobility scooter
• Costs incurred to get you or your mobility scooter home after an accident
• Any legal user you authorise to use your mobility scooter, not just yourself
• International coverage for travel.

This policy can also ensure you receive distress payments if you are physically assaulted while using your mobility scooter, provide a replacement scooter while yours is being repaired (also insured), and cover any stolen personal items from your mobility scooter.

You can get this insurance for $16.95 per month. Electric wheelchairs can also be covered, if this is your preferred mobility method.

Can I cover my mobility scooter with my home and contents insurance?

Some home and contents insurance policies will cover mobility scooter damage or theft, but it’s important to check with your insurer first. Not all insurance companies will cover mobility scooters under their home and contents policies.

It’s also important to note that home and contents insurance will not cover you if something happens while you’re out and about. For this reason, we would not recommend relying on home and contents insurance alone to cover your mobility scooter.

Can Active Mobility Systems help me?

While we don’t offer mobility scooter insurance cover per se, we do offer warranties on our mobility scooters to ensure you’re always happy with the performance of your scooter and have a mode of transport to get you from point A to point B. 

Each of our mobility scooters has different warranties based on the kind of scooter you have, as well as the brand of the scooter. When purchasing a scooter with Active Mobility Systems, be sure to check in and find out what kind of warranties are available to protect your mobility scooter.

We also have a large service and repairs team so if your scooter gets damaged, malfunctions, or needs new parts, we can help get you back on the road in no time. 

We have fully equipped workshops, service vans, and trained technicians who have more than 30 years of experience servicing the brands we sell, so you can rest assured knowing we’ve got you covered.

For more recommendations and advice about mobility scooter insurance in Australia, get in touch with our team on 02 9649 2111. We’d be more than happy to help you find the right insurance policy to cover your scooter.