On 18th May 2010 the BBC reported that a disabled pensioner had been ordered to pay £13,000 in compensation after she hit and injured a shop worker on her mobility scooter.

More details of the case:

The BBC report states that a shop worker was hit by Mrs Brown’s mobility scooter and her knee was injured. In January this year the County Court in Denbighshire found Mrs Brown liable and ordered her to pay compensation and legal costs.

As the £13,000 is a very large amount of money, the Court agreed this week that Mrs Brown can pay the debt at £100 per month over the next 12 years. This will mean she does not have to sell her home in order to pay the compensation.

We understand Mrs Brown will appeal against the Court’s original decision.

This story really adds weight to the argument for having insurance when you are using your scooter.

If a scooter user has suitable insurance, then any accidents that they cause whilst using the scooter are covered and the insurance company pays any compensation awarded. Likewise if anything should happen to your scooter, be it where someone else is at fault or even if it is damage caused by bad weather, then you could be covered as well.

It is certainly food for thought, and too many cases are happening where someone is left seriously out of pocket after an accident. At City Mobility we always recommend that people take out suitable mobility scooter insurance.

As the law stands at the moment, you do not legally have to have insurance for your mobility scooter. There are good reasons to have insurance though:

• In case your scooter is damaged, or stolen.
• In case you cause an accident in your scooter, either to a pedestrian or property.
• We all think we are good drivers, but sometimes accidents do happen.

Mobility scooters can be expensive to buy and they are your link to mobility and independence. Insurance can mean you keep your independence in the event of something happening to your scooter.

Here is some information on mobility scooter insurance.

Types of insurance

• Third Party insurance – covers repairs and damage you have caused to other property/people.
• Insurance to cover repairs/damage to your scooter.

Typical Insurance Benefits – what does all the jargon mean?

• Any Driver – are YOU insured or is it your SCOOTER that is insured? With any driver policies, you can let other people drive your scooter with your permission and they are covered by your insurance.
• Accidental Damage – for example – are you covered if you back your car into your scooter and it is damaged, or if you drop paint all over your scooter?
• Fire Damage – are you covered if your scooter is damaged or destroyed by fire?
• Flood Damage – are you covered if your scooter is damaged or destroyed by flooding?
• Loss or damage caused by theft or attempted theft – what happens if someone steals your scooter either when it is parked at home, or while you are out?
• New for old replacement -  will you get a replacement with the same specification and value of the one you have insured?
• Public liability – if you have injured a member of the public, they may sue you for damages. Does your policy cover the cost of this? Some policies will cover you up to £2million for public liability.
• Get you home expenses – does your policy cover the cost of getting you home after an accident – remember you won’t be able to use your scooter if it is damaged.
• Excess - are you expected to pay the 1st part of any claim?
• No claims bonus - do you get a discount each year if you haven’t made a claim?
• World-wide cover – is your scooter covered for trips abroad?
• Temporary cover – this covers mobility equipment you have on loan while your scooter is being repaired or a new one delivered to you.
• Temporary hire cover – this covers equipment that you need to hire while your scooter is being repaired or a new one delivered to you.
• Storm Damage - does your policy cover any damage caused by storms?
• Personal Injury Benefit – what would be paid out if you are seriously injured or killed? Find out what injuries are covered.
• Personal effects cover – if any of your possessions are damaged or stolen in an accident or incident – are they covered?

Hopefully this list is helpful in understanding what your scooter insurance can cover, remember to always shop around to find the best deal for you.

Anyone is allowed to ride a mobility scooter, and most people drive with courtesy to other people, and drive safely. However do you always drive with safety (yours and other peoples) in mind?

Here are some tips for driving safely in your mobility scooter.

The right scooter.
Is your scooter ideal for your needs? You don’t want one that is too big or too small for you. Get professional advice before you buy your scooter – your doctor or occupational therapist will give you sensible, impartial advice on what you need.

Do you know exactly how to drive your mobility scooter?
It may sound obvious, but make sure you learn about all the controls on your scooter, before you set off for the first time. The controls are simple, but you need to know how to stop, start, change speed, and turn properly.

Maintenance
Is your scooter in top condition?

The battery needs to be charged in advance of using your scooter.

Keeping your scooter clean and dry will help keep it free of rust and grime.

Always get it serviced by a reputable engineer. Many maintenance engineers will service your scooter in your home, so you don’t need to be without it.

Insurance and your scooter.
At the moment, you do not need to have insurance for your mobility scooter. However it is a good idea to get it insured. Whilst most of us drive carefully, accidents do happen.

3rd party insurance will cover you if you injure someone else while on your scooter, or will cover other property if you cause an accident. Comprehensive insurance will cover you if your scooter needs repairing if you cause an accident.

Fire theft and damage insurance would also be useful – you don’t want to be left out of pocket and unable to get out and about if something happens to your scooter.

Planning your journey.
Carefully think about where it is you are going. A route you use by car or on foot may not be the safest or best route on your scooter. Think about whether there are any obstacles or hills on your journey. Sometimes a different way might be better.

Drinking and driving.
You can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a carriage.

To be safe on your mobility scooter; it makes sense that you have not used drink or drugs before hand. Remember about your prescription drugs too. Some of these may inhibit your judgement, and make driving unsafe. Do not use your scooter if you have taken medication that may make you drowsy.

Your mobility scooter may not go as fast as a car, but you can still cause serious damage to other road users and pedestrians.

Bags and clothing.
Don’t overload or hang bags from your scooter. Likewise with your clothes. Don’t wear anything that is loose or could get caught on something. Wear bright clothing, reflective or florescent clothing is best. Be visible at all times. (Use the lights on your scooter – this will help other road users see you.)

Passengers.
Don’t carry any passengers on your scooter. Not even a child.
Even well behaved pets can be a danger. Don’t carry them on your scooter or have them on a lead off your scooter.

Driving on the pavement.
Some scooters are designed to be used on the pavement – but remember - pedestrians have the right of way.

Always make sure your scooter is set to a maximum speed of 4mph when you are on the pavement. Drive slower if there are pedestrians about, you are in a shopping area or a shop.

Driving on the road.
Scooters that can drive at 6 or 8mph are allowed to drive on the road. However you must also have lights at the front and back, indicators and a horn.

You must be extra vigilant when using the road on your scooter. Other traffic will be going faster than you, and may not have much patience with a slow vehicle like yours. Always make sure you have enough space and time for any manoeuvre you need to perform.

Take care when crossing roads or going up and down curbs. Try to cross roads where there is a dropped curb, or a pedestrian crossing. Always approach curbs at a right-angle, this will keep your scooter more stable.

Remember you are not allowed to use bus or taxi lanes, motorways or cycle tracks.