How to get insurance for a non-registered electric scooter

While insurance is not compulsory, I don't want the vehicle to be on-road without insurance covering theft and accidental repair.

BHPian drsnt recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am planning to buy an Okinawa Lite scooty which does not require any registration or license. The main reason I wanted a non-RTO and non-license vehicle is that my daughter is still 16, well-built but not eligible for a license. She comfortably drives a full-size scooter which I don't allow. While insurance is not compulsory, I don't want the vehicle to be on-road without insurance covering theft and accidental repair. The battery itself costs 25k and can be the target of theft. Accidents can happen anywhere and repair is always costly. I had almost given the cheque when the dealer informed me that insurance is not possible as the company "Digit" has denied taking insurance for non-RTO vehicles. Earlier he had told that he will get insurance done. I also contacted Chola, Bajaj, HDFC, and IFCCO, they all denied taking insurance as they don't have the provision to give insurance without registration.

Can anyone shed more light on the issue?

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

These e-bikes are just like bicycles in the eyes of the law. No insurance is actually a big plus point for the buyers of these small scooters. A lesser expense, a lesser compliance.

Don’t think it is possible to get any kind of auto insurance without a valid registration. Perhaps you are overthinking this.

Here's what BHPian The Mechanic had to say on the matter:

Did you try to get any other form of insurance other than Motor Insurance??

I would recommend you approach a well-informed insurance broker/agent and ask them if they can provide a product for you.

There are policies to cover things like bicycles, mobile machines that are not road legal etc. maybe there is something for your case too.

Also think about adding a third party liability coverage, since crashing into a pedestrian is also a possibility.

If you are still not able to find any policy you can consider writing to IRDAI, specifying the lack of products in this area.

Finally, kudos for actively thinking about insuring your assets. Most people won't insure anything unless it is mandatory.

Here's what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say on the matter:

Many private insurance companies offer insurance for electric bicycles, which don't need any RTO registration. The Okinawa Lite should fit into that category.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

I am going on a limb and speaking on first principles here - but at the end of the day, any risk should theoretically should be insurable. The question is, is there a big enough requirement for it for the insurance company to have modelled the risk and therefore the pricing.

Talk to a sophisticated insurance agent and perhaps he can help you. It’s possible that the pricing might be expensive even if they can manage since it may not be a commoditised volume product. A vehicle insurance chap will probably only know what operates within the narrow box of legally required vehicle insurance so he’s bound to simply say no.

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