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In Europe, where gas prices have been high for decades, scooters have long been a familiar sight on the roadways. With record-high fuel prices in the U.S., Americans are following suit.
Scooters are quickly becoming the hottest vehicle on two wheels. They're small, lightweight, and incredibly fuel-efficient. Trading in your gas-guzzling SUV for a scooter can save you a bundle on your fuel costs--and even more on your vehicle insurance rate.
Before thinking about buying a scooter, however, it's important to know the basics of insuring your scooter (and yourself) against damage.
Do Scooters Need Insurance?
In many states, most scooters are considered motorcycles, and require a motorcycle insurance policy to be driven on the roadways. If you own a vehicle and have auto insurance, that coverage will not extend to your scooter.
The silver lining: scooter insurance is very affordable. Some insurance companies offer policies that run as low as $100 per year or less! Try negotiating that deal with your car insurance company.
Scooters Are Incredibly Fuel Efficient
Many smaller scooters feature a fuel economy of over 100 miles per gallon. Larger model scooters can reach about half that amount around 50 miles per gallon. Just like motorcycles and other vehicles, fuel economy will vary depending on what size scooter you purchase.
They're Affordable
With gas prices and a slow economy putting a heavy burden on consumers, scooter sales have increased over 20% from last year. A number of new scooters can be purchased for as low as $1,000.
Hybrid Scooters
If a regular scooter's fuel economy still isn't fuel efficient enough for your needs, you might be in the market for a hybrid scooter. The most efficient models can get up to 150 miles per gallon! No vehicle, not even a Toyota Prius Hybrid, comes close to that kind of gas mileage.
Electric Scooters
If you're looking to avoid the gas pump altogether, there are a handful of electric scooters on the market. They are zero-emission vehicles powered by an electric battery that must be charged before use. They do have a limited drive range (around 30 miles), but saying goodbye to the gas station permanently may be well worth the limitations.
Scooter Safety Tips
- Always ride with a helmet
- Consider riding with additional protective gear such as elbow pads, knee pads, gloves, and eye protection
- As the scooter may not be clearly visible to other vehicles, avoid driving your scooter at night
- Ride only on smooth, hard surfaces
Remember: in many states, scooters are considered motorcycles. So if you own one, you'll need to have it insured with a motorcycle insurance policy. Insweb.com has an online quote form that can help you compare motorcycle insurance quotes from top companies. Give it a try, it's easy!