Third Party Insurance for mobility scooters?

[Mrsspagnoli57]

What do other AB's feel about this somewhat emotive subject? I ask following a 'near miss' last week when a woman careered towards myself and my husband while out shopping and then rather than apologise or even ask if Mr S was ok-he'd had to jump out of the way to avoid having his feet being run over-proceeded to complain at me for saying something to her about it (not rude or anything-merely expressed concern that she had thought it amusing). I have read accounts of bad experiences before with people suffering broken bones after careless drivers 'muscle' their way along our pavements and think that some sort of insurance should be compulsory in the event that an accident does take place. No one begrudges any old or disabled person using mobility scooters which are a lifeline in many respects and give continuing independence to those using them but they surely are 'vehicles' and if an accident happened that prevented anyone from working due to injury there is at present no recompense for the innocent party.

[starone]

I agree with you Mrsspagnoli. I have been thinking of getting one for myself but I would be absolutely petrified of going on to the road so I would have to stay on pavements. That gives rise to the problem of other pavement users and what would happen if I accidentally hit one. I reckon they could do as much damage as a car and consequently should have third party insurance. IF I get one I can assure you I shall not be going more than five miles an hour and I would also make some enquiries about accident insurance. I am sure some enterprising insurance company would oblige.

[SMP]

My husband's electric wheelchair is covered by Fish Insurance who also cover mobility scooters. My husband's policy has third party liability of £2 million.
www.fishinsurance.co.uk

[ABerrant]

http://www.theanswerb...e/Question878658.html

[Mrsspagnoli57]

ABerrant, thanks for the link but I was more interested as to whether or not people thought insurance should be COMPULSORY rather than whether it is merely AVAILABLE.

[beso]

Mobility scooters are generally far too large and allowed to run far too fast for public safety.

In Australia they can weigh up to 100 kilograms and travel at ten km/ hr making it a large vehicle travelling twice the speed of most pedestrians often under the control a person whose reaction times are not particularly fast.

There are far smaller scooters available which are quite adequate. I would ban any further sales of the monsters some people are using. They should also be limited to normal walking speed when on a footpath in the CBD.