Do I Need Insurance for My Mobility Scooter or Powerchair? What to Know

Sara Cunnington
5 days ago
4 min read

Mobility scooters and powerchairs offer freedom, independence, and confidence to thousands of people every day. They make it possible to stay active, visit friends, run errands, and enjoy life on your own terms. Because these products are so essential and often a significant investment many users wonder whether they should insure them.

While insurance isn’t a legal requirement for mobility scooters or powerchairs in the UK, it can provide valuable protection against unexpected events such as accidents, theft, or breakdowns. Policies from specialist providers, such as Mark Bates Ltd, are designed specifically for mobility equipment and can offer peace of mind for both users and their families.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what insurance typically covers, why people choose it, and how to decide whether it’s right for you.

Is Insurance Legally Required?

In the UK, insurance for mobility scooters and powerchairs is generally not a legal requirement — unlike for cars.
However, organisations such as Disabled Motoring UK recommend insurance, especially because there have been instances where uninsured users faced legal or financial consequences after incidents.
Because of potential liability (if you accidentally injure someone or damage property), having at least third-party/public liability cover can be a wise precaution.

What Can Insurance Cover? (Why It’s Useful)

Using Mark Bates Ltd’s offering as an example and what typical mobility-aid insurance tends to cover.

Public liability - legal protection if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while using your scooter / powerchair.
Accidental damage, theft or vandalism if your scooter is stolen, vandalised, or damaged by accident, repair or replacement may be covered.
Breakdown recovery / Assistance a 24/7 national recovery service to get you (and your scooter) back home if you break down away from home.
Temporary hire / alternative equipment some policies (or upgrades) offer a temporary replacement scooter/powerchair while yours is being repaired, so you remain mobile.
Worldwide / travel cover (limited time) in certain cases (e.g. holidays), your scooter/powerchair may be covered for travel abroad (with restrictions/conditions) under some policies.
Optional extras e.g. tyre puncture cover (for “Plus” or enhanced policies), legal expenses, hire-cost cover, possibly loss of keys or “new for old” replacement under warranties if scooter is under certain age/value although details depend on the policy level.

What’s the Catch / What to Check When Choosing Insurance

Because insurance isn’t mandatory, there are multiple providers, not all policies are equal. It’s important to read the Small Print / Policy Wording carefully before buying. For example, what types of breakdowns are covered (battery failure, puncture, mechanical fault), whether there is a limit on hire replacement, what excess applies (some policies might have contributions), what is covered during travel abroad, etc.
For “standard” equipment value (e.g. up to £5,000), certain standard policies may suffice; but for higher-value scooters/powerchairs, you may need a “high value” policy or additional warranty/cover.
Insurance may not cover “cosmetic” damage (i.e. superficial scratches that don’t affect safety), and many policies treat “personal belongings” carried on the scooter (bags, coat, walking aids) as uninsured you may need separate insurance for those.
If you let someone else use your scooter/powerchair (friend, carer), check whether the policy allows “any driver with permission” or restricts named drivers that can affect coverage.

Why Using a Specialist Provider (Like Mark Bates Ltd) Makes Sense

Mark Bates Ltd specialises specifically in mobility scooter and powerchair insurance meaning their policies are tailored to the unique needs of mobility-aid users (rather than car-insurance providers).
Their standard package includes public liability, accidental damage/theft/vandalism cover, and 24/7 national breakdown recovery as standard.
They also provide optional upgrades (“Plus” policies) for additional protection like puncture cover, hire/temporary equipment while repairs happen, worldwide travel cover, and legal expense coverage.
For some users (particularly those relying on their scooter or powerchair for daily mobility), having this peace of mind can be worth the cost especially since replacing or repairing mobility equipment can be expensive and difficult.

Who Should Consider Getting Insurance

Anyone using a mobility scooter or powerchair regularly, especially outdoors, away from home, or on public roads/ pavements.
Users with higher-value scooters/powerchairs because repair or replacement costs will be higher, and standard home contents or “basic” insurance may not be sufficient.
Individuals who rely on the scooter/powerchair for independence where a breakdown or accident could severely affect daily life or mobility.
Those who transport their device in a car or use it away from home, or who plan to travel (even occasionally) in which case breakdown recovery or travel cover may be useful.

Practical Tips Before You Buy a Policy

Always check what’s included: liability, theft, damage, breakdown, hire/temporary replacement, travel cover, optional extras.
Confirm the value limit: many policies are for equipment up to a certain value (e.g. £5,000); if yours is more expensive, ask about “high-value” cover.
Check for excesses or limitations e.g. number of claims allowed for tyre punctures, whether battery failures are covered, or whether “any driver” is accepted.
Keep records: purchase receipt, serial number, photos helpful in case of claim.
Consider combining with a warranty (for mechanical/electrical breakdown) if available so you have both “insurance” (external risks) + “warranty” (own-device failures).
Review what happens during travel or when abroad (if you travel some policies allow limited worldwide cover, but terms vary.

Conclusion / Key Takeaways

While insurance for mobility scooters / powerchairs is not legally required in the UK, it is strongly recommended, especially for those who use their equipment regularly or rely on it for independence.
A specialist provider such as Mark Bates Ltd offers tailored policies that can include liability, theft & damage protection, breakdown recovery, and optional extras which can make a big difference in peace of mind and practical protection.
Before buying, treat insurance like any other important decision: read the policy wording carefully, match cover to your needs and usage, and consider the real cost of replacement or repair if you were uninsured.