Overpriced liability insurance for scooters and motorbikes jeopardises the market

The scooter, even more so than the motorbike, especially if electric, is a perfect choice for getting around the city quickly and dodging traffic. There is, however, a huge and underestimated problem: liability insurance policies that cost an arm and a leg and are in fact a huge brake on purchase, and from expensive they become prohibitive if a minor or a person entering the two-wheeler world for the first time and therefore with a disadvantageous merit class is driving.

A few examples: in Milan, to insure, in bonus-malus class 1, the least expensive one, an electric scooter equated to a 125 cc, one goes, with online policies, from around 300 to over 800 euros per year. And apart from the claims, the blahs about fraud, risk factors and the cost of spare parts in the event of a claim, this is such a high price level that it discourages buyers. And we are talking about expert driving here, not free driving where even a 16-year-old can get into the saddle. From an online comparison we have seen that in this case it always comes to 2,500 euros for the same vehicle, starting from a minimum of 1,000 per year with an incredible peak of 3,200. All this with limits at the legal limits and aware of the fact that there are high-risk regions with bomb premiums. Not to mention the fact that even if you inherit the class of merit under Bersani, if you insure a vehicle the first time the benefits are reduced because the vehicle has no insurance history (sic!). At least that was the excuse we heard.

Is everything normal? No, it is not, also because there are operators, let us not name names for now, who offer monthly instalments with usurious interest. We are talking 25% on an annual basis.

Incidentally, the singular and inexplicable thing is also another: liability insurance is more expensive for an electric scooter than for a 125 thermal. And this is a nonsensical thing that some operators justify with the higher repair costs, but it makes no sense since it is third party insurance and not a kasko. Mysteries of the insurance world, and here comes another chapter: using the two most popular online comparators, again we won't name names, the premium charged for the third party insurance policy offered by the same company or broker increases by up to 70%. All this is to say that the world of third party liability for motorbikes and scooters is a real jungle and that online comparators can help, but to sustain the market and not drive customers away, a change of pace is needed on the part of manufacturers and importers who, over and above the constant demand for purchase incentives, should seek agreements with insurance companies and create offer packages that take into account the total cost of ownership. Obviously this applies to utilitarian scooters, microcars, which fall into the world of quadricycles, and the more exciting motorbikes, vehicles which, beyond the fact that they are thermal or electric (sales of which, however, are languishing), can contribute in no small measure to improving urban mobility with a view to true sustainability that takes into account real transport needs. Moreover, the cost of insurance for mopeds has contributed in no small measure to destroying the moped market.

On this point, it is important to report the opinion of ANCMA According to the National Association of Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessory Manufacturers, questioned by Sole 24 Ore: