Call for E-Scooter and Moped Insurance Policies as Accidents Rise in Dubai.
Experts are urging the development of comprehensive insurance policies for e-scooters and mopeds, highlighting the potential risks these vehicles pose to both motorists and pedestrians. The absence of mandatory registration and insurance coverage for e-scooters raises significant concerns about liability and compensation in the event of accidents.
Recent statistics from Dubai Police reveal a troubling trend: between January and June 2024, four fatalities and 25 injuries were recorded in accidents involving e-scooters and bicycles. During this period, over 7,800 traffic violations related to e-scooters were logged, and authorities confiscated 4,474 e-scooters and bicycles. This translates to an average of 43 traffic violations and 24 seizures daily.
Gautam Datta, CEO of Watania International Holding, explains the current insurance landscape. If a vehicle owner is at fault in an accident with an e-scooter, comprehensive motor insurance will cover damages to both the vehicle and the e-scooter rider. However, if the vehicle is covered only by third-party insurance, the insurer will compensate the e-scooter rider, while the vehicle owner will bear the cost of their own car repairs.
Conversely, if the e-scooter rider is at fault, the vehicle owner can claim damages through their own insurance. Datta notes that the insurance company may then pursue legal action against the at-fault rider to recover the costs. In cases where the e-scooter rider is injured due to their own fault, the vehicle owner is not liable for any injuries sustained.
Anas Mistareehi, CEO of eSanad, emphasizes the lack of insurance coverage for e-scooters in the UAE, leaving riders vulnerable to repair and medical costs. He urges insurers to develop non-traditional insurance products to address this gap in the market, particularly as the use of e-scooters increases in urban areas.
“As e-scooters become more prevalent, especially in densely populated cities, it’s imperative for insurers to proactively design policies that cater to these new forms of mobility,”
Mistareehi stated.
“This approach not only fills current coverage gaps but also positions insurers as leaders in adapting to evolving societal needs.”
Datta added that while insurance companies are open to developing new products, the lack of regulatory requirements for e-scooter licensing has kept insurance penetration in this segment low in the UAE.
News Source: Khaleej Times
