Electric scooters, hoverboards, gyrowheels or even e-skates, all these names are now part of common language when discussing different modes of transport.
The recent explosion of these new individual electric vehicles (NVEI) in urban areas is not without danger. This involved defining a new legal framework but also to rethink the offer at the level insurance for the 1.5 million French people using them.
Are we required to insure these new vehicles? How to protect yourself? What does a insurance for NVEI ?
Why are NVEIs not covered by traditional insurance?
The NVEI category
Scooters, hoverboards, gyrowheels and other new electric cars are part of the category of “NVEI”: New Individual Electric Vehicles.
The regulations are vague on this new category of NVEI: they do not fit into the category of pedestrians, bicycles or scooters.
As the regulations are still vague, the police remain tolerant regarding them.
What traditional insurance covers
Your home insurance provides you with what is called “civil liability”. This warranty covers you if you cause damage to a third party. Example: you come across a window in the street and break it, you hit a person on a bike, etc.
The civil liability of your home insurance therefore covers you on a bicycle or scooter (without engine). On the other hand, except for extension of guarantees, it does not cover you on board motorized vehicles, therefore on board NVEI.
NVEIs (limited to 25km/h) are also not covered by car or motorcycle insurance because they are not really considered mopeds.
Is it compulsory to insure your electric scooter, hoverboard or other electric vehicle?
Yes, it is obligatory to insure your NVEI, at least for civil liability, according to the French Insurance Federation.
Insuring does not mean vehicle registration and number plate, but simply declare it to an insurance organization in order to drive with peace of mind.
They are subject to the same civil liability insurance obligation as motorized vehicles such as cars or motorcycles. You must therefore be covered for any damage you may cause while traveling.
Driving a motor vehicle (i.e. motorcycle, car but also NVEI) without insurance constitutes a breach of the regulations. But here again, there is still a certain tolerance, particularly for vehicles limited to 25km/h.
NVEI liability insurance rates
No longer worry about everyday hassles, Weebot has the solution for you at a low price.
At Weebot, it is possible to insure your electric scooter or electric bike from €3.50 per month.
Insure your electric scooter or EDPM equipment and benefit from 30 days of free protection against accidental breakage and theft.
But again, in the event of a breakdown, breakage, theft, or even a simple puncture, taxi and/or towing costs are reimbursed to you!
Weeclub Premium offers several packages adapted to your machine, you just need to choose the one that suits you!
Condition for ensure your NVEI
In order to be eligible for insurance, these new electric vehicles must be CE approved.
What are the guarantees of NVEI insurance?
Minimum coverage
Civil Liability Guarantee
NVEI insurance necessarily covers your civil liability on board the vehicle. This means that it covers you for all damage that you are likely to cause to others or to property.
Criminal Defense and Recourse Guarantee
This guarantee allows you to ensure your defense when you are the subject of legal proceedings or claims by a third party calling into question your civil liability.
Optional Covers
Individual Accident Guarantee
You are covered when you are injured during a traffic accident with your electric car.
Flight
You are covered in the event of theft or attempted theft committed following an attack by a third party. Damage suffered by your electric car following its disappearance or deterioration is covered.
Collision damage
Your electric car is covered in the event of a collision with a third party.
A pack including optional guarantees will be available soon.
Is it obligatory to wear a helmet?
For the moment, it is not compulsory to wear a helmet to drive these new vehicles. Their situation remains unclear with regard to the highway code, there are not yet rules imposing helmet Or gloves like for scooters.
It is also not an obligation to be able to operate your civil liability. However, it will be mandatory under the Individual Accident guarantee.
However, we strongly recommend that you wear one. In fact, there is no accommodation on the NVEI, so you are very exposed to traffic and its dangers.
Here are our answers to the main questions about NVEI insurance.
Don't hesitate if you have any other questions, we will try to answer them as best we can!