GDV Statistics on E-Scooters: Highly Prone to Accidents

Good two and a half years after the approval of e-scooters in road traffic, German insurers have presented an initial damage report on the new means of transport. According to this, with around 180,000 insured vehicles in 2020, 1,150 accidents were caused in which third parties were harmed, reported the chief executive officer of the German Insurance Association (GDV), Jörg Asmussen. The motor vehicle liability insurers paid an average of around 3,850 euros for each of these accidents. According to GDV, e-scooters have a similar damage report to mopeds and scooters.

“The high compensations show how good and right the legislator's decision was to introduce an insurance obligation for e-scooters. Especially when they are illegally driven on the sidewalk, e-scooters are a great danger to pedestrians,” commented Asmussen.

He also appealed to regulatory authorities and the police to consistently enforce the existing rules.

“E-scooters are not toys. They do not belong on the sidewalk, should not be ridden by children under 14 years old, and should not be ridden by two or even three people at the same time,” reminded the GDV chief. 

E-scooters and other so-called small electric vehicles have been allowed to drive on German roads since June 2019. Just like mopeds and scooters, they need an operating permit from the Federal Motor Transport Authority and are subject to the insurance obligation: Each scooter must have its own motor vehicle liability insurance, which is proven by an insurance plaque on the vehicle.