Do you need insurance for a moped?

Even though liability insurance is required for a motorcycle in all but a handful of states, liability insurance for a moped isn’t required in 26 states. However, if you lease or finance your moped, your lender will most likely require you to insure your moped.¹

Even if you aren’t concerned about insuring your moped against theft or damage, you may want to at least consider the right scooter coverage that helps pay for medical costs and property damage/bodily injury to others, including your passengers.

Important moped coverage options to consider

1. Liability. If you cause an accident resulting in injuries or property damages, liability coverage protects you by paying for damages you may become legally responsible for as a result of a covered accident. This includes paying for an injured party's medical bills and loss of income, and/or repairs to another person’s vehicle or property – up to your coverage limit. It can also provide for your legal defense if a suit is brought against you as a result of the accident. Liability also includes coverage for guest passengers.
2. Medical payments. Can pay medical expenses or funeral costs, up to your coverage limit, for you, your family household members and your passengers due to accidental bodily injury while occupying your recreational vehicle, no matter who is at fault. It may also provide coverage to you and your household family members when injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian.
3. Collision. Regardless of who is at fault, collision can pay for damage to your vehicle if you hit another vehicle or object, another vehicle hits you, or your vehicle rolls over. Collision includes coverage for safety apparel, such as helmets or clothing specifically designed to reduce injury from an accident. You're responsible for paying the deductible at the time of the claim.
4. Comprehensive. Comprehensive coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle from vandalism, theft, weather events and accidents involving animals. You're responsible for paying the deductible at the time of the claim.
5. Uninsured or underinsured motorists. If you are in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, this coverage reimburses you for medical expenses, loss of income and other damages owed to you by a motorist who does not have any – or does not have enough – applicable liability insurance.
6. OEM endorsement. Specifies that parts from your vehicle’s manufacturer – Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts – are used, when available, to repair your vehicle after a Collision or Comprehensive claim.
7. Roadside Assistance. Roadside Assistance provides 24/7 emergency help if you need fuel delivery, a tire change, jumpstart or tow.

What’s the difference between a moped and a scooter?

You may be wondering the distinction between a moped and a scooter – and between a scooter and a motorcycle.

In general, a moped is any two-wheeled vehicle with an engine that is 50cc or smaller. A scooter, by contrast, has an engine size between 50cc to 250cc. Because motorcycle engines range from 150cc to 2,500cc and higher, a fast scooter generally has an engine size that is 150cc or larger.² 

Get a moped insurance quote

For a free moped insurance quote from Nationwide, call 1-877-669-6877 or visit the scooter insurance section of our website and enter your zip code to begin the process.

When getting a quote, be sure to take advantage of scooter and moped insurance discounts.