Skip to content

Home / Insurance broker / Personal

E-scooter insurance in Germany: the plate, liability and theft cover

In Germany an e-scooter counts as a motor vehicle. It needs its own liability insurance, shown by the small insurance plate on the back. Your personal liability policy, the Privathaftpflicht, does not cover it. If your scooter is expensive, add partial cover, called Teilkasko, against theft and fire.

The question almost everyone asks first

Do I have to insure my e-scooter in Germany?

Yes. Under the Small Electric Vehicles Ordinance, the eKFV, scooters with handlebars, a top speed of 20 km/h and a type approval are motor vehicles under the Compulsory Insurance Act. They need motor liability insurance, proven by an insurance plate called Versicherungskennzeichen. The insurance year runs from 1 March to the end of February, then you need a new plate in a new colour. Riding without insurance is a criminal offence.

Why a kick scooter needs a plate

Since 2019 the eKFV has set out which small electric vehicles may use German roads: handlebars, a top speed of 20 km/h, a general type approval called ABE, and a rider aged 14 or older. No driving licence is needed. Insurance is, because legally the scooter is still a motor vehicle.

The insurance plate proves that motor liability cover is in place. It is valid for one insurance year, from 1 March to the last day of February. After that you are not covered, even if the old plate is still stuck on. Buy the new one in February.

What liability pays and what it does not

Liability pays for damage you cause to others with the scooter: the pedestrian you knock down, the dent in a parked car, the bicycle you topple. It also defends you against unfounded claims. The legal minimum is the same as for cars, and many policies offer far more.

Liability never pays for your own scooter. If it is stolen, the battery catches fire or someone wrecks it, only Teilkasko helps. Very few insurers offer full cover for your own crash. Your own injuries are not covered by any of these, that is what accident insurance is for.

New rules from 2026

The federal government has revised the eKFV, and the amendment was published in the Federal Law Gazette in February 2026. Newly approved models will need indicators, and e-scooters move closer to bicycles in traffic rules. Scooters with an older approval may keep riding.

For insurance little changes: the plate and the insurance year stay. What matters is a valid type approval. A scooter without ABE, for instance an import that does 30 km/h, gets no plate and may not use public roads.

What is covered

  • Injury to other people, such as a pedestrian you hit
  • Damage to other people's property, such as a parked car
  • Financial loss that follows from an accident
  • Defence against unfounded claims
  • Teilkasko: theft of the scooter, often only when locked
  • Teilkasko: fire, short circuit and battery explosion
  • Teilkasko: storm, hail and flood, depending on the policy

What is not covered

  • Damage to your own scooter without Teilkasko
  • Your own injuries as the rider
  • Riding under alcohol or drugs, the insurer can claim money back up to a legal limit
  • Tuned scooters or models without type approval
  • Riding with an expired plate
  • Theft of an unlocked scooter if the policy requires a lock

Who needs it

  • Anyone who rides their own e-scooter on public roads in Germany
  • Commuters whose scooter stands outside the station or office all day
  • Parents of teenagers aged 14 and over who ride to school
  • Anyone who regularly lends the scooter to friends or family

Who does not need it

  • Your own policy for rental scooters: the rental company provides liability
  • Theft cover for an old, cheap scooter worth little more than the deductible

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. Scooter scrapes a parked car, about EUR 300 to 2,000. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Every liability policy behind the plate pays for the other car. Your premium does not rise, because there are no bonus classes.
  2. Pedestrian falls and breaks a hip, from hospital to pain and suffering, quickly five figures. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Injury to others is why the law demands insurance. Strong policies have high limits per injured person.
  3. Scooter stolen outside the station, price of the scooter, often EUR 400 to 1,000. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Liability never pays for your own scooter. Teilkasko replaces it if it was locked as the policy requires.
  4. Battery burns out while charging, battery or whole scooter, plus damage in the flat. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. The scooter itself is only covered by Teilkasko. Fire damage in the flat falls to your contents insurance, or the landlord's buildings cover.
  5. Riding on 2 March with the old plate, the full damage to others. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Cover ends with the insurance year. Without a new plate no policy pays, and you are riding without compulsory insurance.
  6. Tuned scooter doing 30 km/h, insurer claims money back, plus criminal proceedings. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Without valid type approval the scooter is no longer a small electric vehicle. The victim is paid, then the insurer recovers the money from you.

What it costs

E-scooter insurance is among the cheapest motor policies in Germany. There are no no-claims classes, the premium is a flat rate for the insurance year. Young riders pay a little more with many insurers.

ExampleTypical range
Liability only, rider 23 or olderabout EUR 15 to 50 per insurance year
Liability and Teilkasko, scooter about EUR 700about EUR 40 to 80 per insurance year

What drives the premium

  • Liability only or with Teilkasko
  • Age of the youngest rider, often with a threshold at 23
  • Value of the scooter for theft cover
  • Deductible, often EUR 150 in Teilkasko
  • Buying mid-year: many insurers charge pro rata

Guide values from published market comparisons, 2026. Your premium is only fixed in the quote.

The policy levels on the market

01

Liability

The legal must, with insurance plate. Damage to others is covered, your own scooter is not.

02

Liability plus Teilkasko

Adds theft, fire, battery damage from short circuits and, depending on the policy, storms. For new and expensive scooters.

03

Liability plus full cover

Rarely offered. Also pays for damage to your own scooter after a fall or vandalism.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Liability limit legal minimum, as for cars EUR 100m combined, at least EUR 15m per injured person A seriously injured pedestrian can need care for life.
Theft cover none Teilkasko with new value in the first months Folding scooters are easy to carry off and quick to resell.
Battery fire only fire, short circuit and power surge while charging The battery is often the most expensive part, and charging damage is common.
Riders policyholder only any authorised rider aged 14 or older If your teenager or a friend borrows the scooter, you do not want a dispute about who rode.
Teilkasko deductible EUR 150 selectable, including none On a EUR 500 scooter a high deductible eats most of the payout.
Lock clause frame lock not enough any common lock, also for short stops Many thefts happen in the five minutes outside the bakery.
Starting mid-year full annual premium pro rata premium until the end of February If you buy in autumn, you do not want to pay for a whole year.

Insurers on the German market

Nearly every German motor insurer sells e-scooter plates, alongside direct insurers that sell only online. Theft and battery cover differ more than liability does. This is an overview of the market, not a statement about who we work with.

InsurerBackground
Allianztied agents and brokers, plates also online
HUK-COBURGown sales force, does not work with brokers
DEVKmutual-led group with its own sales force
Die BayerischeMunich insurance group, agents and brokers
Zurichpart of the Swiss Zurich group
R+Vinsurer of the cooperative banks
AXAtied agents and brokers
WGVdirect insurer from Stuttgart

Compare the wordings of all tariffs E-scooter insurance 11 tariffs from 11 providers, as of 24 October 2026

From the BaFin register

98

98 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflicht)

Show all 98 names from the register
  • ADAC Autoversicherung AG
  • ADLER Versicherung AG
  • Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
  • Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
  • Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Ambra Versicherung AG
  • andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
  • ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • AXA easy Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
  • Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
  • BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DARAG Deutschland AG
  • Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
  • DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche…
  • Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
  • ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
  • Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
  • GVV Direktversicherung AG
  • GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Haftpflichtgemeinschaft Deutscher Nahverkehrs- und Versorgungsunternehmen Allgemein (HDNA) VVaG
  • Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
  • HDI Global SE
  • HDI Global Specialty SE
  • HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • HDI Versicherung AG
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
  • Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
  • HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HUK24 AG
  • Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
  • Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
  • LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
  • Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Markel Insurance SE
  • Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • Neodigital Autoversicherung AG
  • nexible Versicherung AG
  • NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
  • Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
  • Versicherungskammer Bayern Versicherungsanstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
  • Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Verti Versicherung AG
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Volkswagen Autoversicherung AG
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • WERTGARANTIE SE
  • WGV-Versicherung AG
  • WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Zurich Insurance Europe AG
  • Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt

Source: BaFin company database, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Insurance plate with liability

The compulsory cover for one insurance year. The plate arrives by post or is ready at the dealer.

Teilkasko for e-scooters

Adds theft, fire and battery damage to liability. Worth it mainly in the first years after purchase.

Accident insurance

Pays if you as the rider suffer lasting injury, regardless of fault. A scooter policy does not.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

I do not need a driving licence for an e-scooter.

This is true.

True. Anyone aged 14 or older may ride an eKFV scooter without a licence or moped certificate. It still has to be insured.

The same drink-driving limits apply on an e-scooter as in a car.

This is true.

Correct. The e-scooter is a motor vehicle, so 0.5 per mille is the limit for a fine, and zero for new drivers and anyone under 21. Your car licence can be at stake too.

My personal liability pays if I damage a car with my scooter.

This is false.

No. Motor vehicles are excluded from Privathaftpflicht. For the scooter, only motor liability with an insurance plate counts.

The plate is valid for twelve months from the day I buy it.

This is false.

Wrong. The insurance year ends for everyone on the last day of February, whenever the policy started. Buy in December and you need the next plate in March.

I may ride on the pavement if there is no cycle lane.

This is false.

No. Pavements and pedestrian zones are off limits unless a sign allows it. Without a cycle lane, you ride on the road.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming your Privathaftpflicht also covers the e-scooter
  • Forgetting to renew the plate in February and riding uninsured from March
  • Tuning the scooter and losing both type approval and cover
  • Buying a scooter online without ABE that cannot get a plate at all
  • Taking out theft cover but not using the lock the policy requires
  • Riding home after a beer: the drink-driving limits for motor vehicles apply

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does my personal liability insurance pay if I hit someone with my e-scooter?

No.

Privathaftpflicht excludes damage caused by motor vehicles, and an eKFV e-scooter is one.

Only the motor liability behind the insurance plate pays.

When do I need a new plate?

Every year on 1 March.

The insurance year ends on the last day of February,

and the plate colour changes so the police can spot expired plates at a glance.

What happens if I ride without insurance?

Riding without liability insurance is a criminal offence under the Compulsory Insurance Act.

In an accident you are also personally liable for all damage.

If only the plate is missing from the scooter, you face a fine.

Is there a no-claims bonus for e-scooters?

No.

Policies with an insurance plate have no no-claims classes.

A claim does not raise your premium for years, but you do not build up a discount for a car either.

Can my teenager ride my insured scooter?

The eKFV allows riding from age 14.

Whether the insurer accepts every rider depends on the policy.

Some charge more if the youngest rider is under 23.

Is my scooter insured against theft?

Only with Teilkasko.

Liability pays only for damage to others.

Check the lock clause: often the scooter must be locked to a fixed object.

Do I need my own insurance for rental scooters?

No.

For rental scooters the operator takes out the liability cover, and the plate is on the vehicle.

Damage to the rental scooter itself is governed by the rental terms.

I come from abroad. Can I bring my e-scooter?

Only if it meets the eKFV, which means a German type approval and no more than 20 km/h.

Many scooters sold in other countries are faster and cannot get a plate in Germany.

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request quotes for E-scooter insurance

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge.

You can write in English.

1Who is it for?
2Which insurance?

Choose as many as you like. For each one, the details an insurer needs for a quote appear below.

Personal

Business

3Details

E-scooter insurance in Germany (liability with insurance plate, partial cover)

4Your current policy
5How can we reach you?

Free of charge and without obligation. A person will get back to you.

Often goes with it

Car insurance

Car insurance

Can I use my no-claims bonus from abroad in Germany?

Accident insurance

Accident insurance

Do I need private accident insurance if I already have health insurance in Germany?

Boat or yacht? NAMMERT has its own cover concepts for boats, arranged by the same broker.

Boat insurance

Updated