Are you unsure which category your electric scooter falls under, or are you already dealing with a dispute over insurance or property damage? Describe your situation to us. We’ll review the legal situation and suggest next steps.
What Is Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance is a type of insurance that covers damage caused to third parties while operating a vehicle—most commonly in the event of a traffic accident. Its main purpose is to ensure that, in the event of an accident where the vehicle owner causes bodily injury or property damage to a third party, that damage is financially covered by the insurance company. Compulsory liability insurance therefore protects both the injured parties and the vehicle owner from financial claims that could arise as a result of their error or negligence while driving. It can save the vehicle owner as much as millions, which they would otherwise have to pay out of their own pocket.
What Must Be Covered by Compulsory Liability Insurance
The obligation to obtain compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance rests with the vehicle operator, not automaticallywith the owner. For a vehicle subject to registration, insurance must be in effect for the duration of its registration. For an unregistered vehicle, insurance must be in effect for as long as the vehicle is roadworthy. This requirement may therefore also apply to vehicles without a license plate or vehicle registration certificate, such as certain electric scooters.
At the same time, the law provides for several exceptions. For example, compulsory liability insurance is not required for certain vehicles belonging to the integrated rescue system, selected government vehicles, or vehicles operated by municipal volunteer fire departments. The exemption also applies to certain unregistered vehicles operated only in enclosed areas or areas not accessible to the public.
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What’s the Situation with Electric Scooters?
In 2024, a law on motor vehicle liability insurance was enacted, regulating the terms of mandatory liability insurance. This law is based on an EU directive that establishes new rules for motor vehicle insurance across the board.
One of the main changes is that, as of that time, additional types of vehicles—including electric scooters—are subject to the requirement to carry compulsory liability insurance. However , this applies only if they exceed the limits set by law. Compulsory liability insurance therefore applies to electric scooters if:
- their maximum speed exceeds 25 km per hour, or
- their weight exceeds 25 kg and their speed also exceeds 14 km per hour.
The new law does not apply to electric bicycles, even though they can be faster than electric scooters. This is because, in the case of electric bicycles, the primary source of propulsion is human power, not an electric motor.
How Can Electric Scooters Pose a Danger to You?
Although it may not seem like it at first glance, electric scooters can cause serious damage. According to BESIP data, 823 electric scooter accidents were recorded in 2025. Five people died in these accidents, 46 were seriously injured, and 637 sustained minor injuries. Compared to 2024, when 539 electric scooter accidents were recorded, the number has increased significantly.
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The dangers associated with the use of electric scooters in traffic affect not only the riders themselves but also other road users and pedestrians. The risks for riders consist primarily of the danger of falls and collisions, which can result from uneven road surfaces, unexpected maneuvers, or collisions with obstacles and other vehicles. These incidents are often caused by high speeds and a lack of protective gear, such as helmets or reflective elements. It is not uncommon for alcohol to be a factor in these accidents as well.
Other road users may be endangered by unexpected maneuvers by electric scooter riders and poor visibility. Electric scooters also often pose a threat to pedestrians. Especially in large cities, it is common for electric scooter riders to ride on sidewalks without hesitation.
A cautionary tale for everyone is the accident that occurred in Fryštát in 2022. A man was riding down a hill on an electric scooter with a friend. He was not wearing a helmet and was traveling at high speed. As a result, he lost control and crashed. Although emergency responders arrived on the scene immediately, the man died the following day from his injuries.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay My Compulsory Auto Liability Insurance
With this new requirement, there will likely be many people who fail to obtain mandatory auto liability insurance—whether because they forget or intentionally ignore this obligation. You may be wondering : What happens if I don’t pay for mandatory auto liability insurance?
If you fail to purchase mandatory auto liability insurance, you’ll likely face hefty fines. For every day you were uninsured, you’ll have to pay a contribution to the Guarantee Fund of the Czech Insurers’ Bureau. This amount is calculated as the product of the number of days you were uninsured and the daily rate based on your vehicle type. Added to this is a flat fee of 300 CZK charged by the Czech Insurers’ Bureau for out-of-court enforcement of its rights.
New daily rates will take effect on January 1, 2026. For vehicles powered exclusively by electricity with a power output not exceeding 30 kW, the daily rate is 13 Kč. Electric scooters will generally fall into this category as well.
If you pay your compulsory liability insurance premium after the due date, it is still possible to make the payment, but it is important to act as quickly as possible. The insurance company will usually notify you of the amount owed, but in the event of prolonged non-payment, it may terminate the policy, leaving you uninsured, which entails additional financial risks.
In addition, if you are stopped by the police, you may be fined up to 50,000 crowns. And if you cause a traffic accident, you will have to pay for the resulting damages, which can amount to several million.
An Example from Our Law Practice
For example, we handled a case involving a client who received a demand for payment from the Czech Insurers’ Bureau for the period during which, according to the Bureau’s records, he had been operating an electric scooter without mandatory liability insurance. The client was convinced that his scooter was not subject to the legal limits, but he did not know how to prove this to the Czech Insurers’ Bureau.
We therefore requested the technical specifications for the specific model and reviewed the manufacturing documentation as well as the information listed on the device. It turned out that the scooter’s maximum design speed did not exceed 25 km/h and its operating weight was less than 25 kg. Thus, it did not meet either of the conditions under which the law requires mandatory liability insurance.
We provided the Czech Insurers’ Bureau with the technical specifications and explained why the client was not subject to the insurance requirement. After we submitted the additional documentation, the ČKP no longer pursued the required premium from him.
Similar cases show that it is not solely decisive whether a vehicle is labeled as an “electric scooter.” Its actual technical specifications are key. Therefore, if you receive a demand for payment of the contribution, it makes sense to first verify whether the specific vehicle is even subject to the insurance requirement.
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Read about how to legally challenge a traffic ticket.
Another question is what happens if you have taken out liability insurance but forget to pay for it. Is it possible to pay for liability insurance after the due date? The simple answer is yes, you can pay even after the due date. Your insurance company will likely send you a reminder via email regarding the unpaid premium. In this case, don’t delay—pay the premium right away.
Otherwise, the insurance company will cancel your liability insurance, and your coverage will expire.
Summary
In 2026, liability insurance will not apply to all electric scooters. The key factors are primarily their maximum speed and weight. You must have insurance especially if the scooter exceeds a speed of 25 km/h, or if it weighs more than 25 kg and travels faster than 14 km/h. This requirement may also apply to vehicles without a license plate.
If you are required to have liability insurance but fail to obtain it, you face a fine, a payment to the Czech Insurers’ Bureau for the period without insurance, and—if you cause an accident—significant costs for damages. For more powerful electric scooters, it is also advisable to check for other requirements, such as vehicle registration or the need for a driver’s license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every electric scooter have to have liability insurance?
No. The design speed and weight are the determining factors. The requirement applies only when the limits set by law are exceeded.
How can I tell if my electric scooter needs liability insurance?
Check the maximum design speed and operating weight in the documentation, COC sheet, or on the nameplate.
Do I need liability insurance even for an electric scooter without a license plate?
Yes, if it exceeds the legal limits. A license plate is not a prerequisite for the obligation to have insurance.
How much does liability insurance for an electric scooter cost?
The price is not set by law. It depends on the insurance company, the scooter’s specifications, and the selected coverage.
What are the consequences of riding an electric scooter without liability insurance?
A fine of up to 50,000 CZK, a payment to the Czech Motor Insurers’ Bureau (ČKP) for the period without insurance, and, if applicable, the obligation to cover the costs resulting from the accident.
Do I also need a driver's license to ride an electric scooter that requires liability insurance?
Not always. Liability insurance and driver’s licenses are governed by different rules. However, for more powerful vehicles, both a driver’s license and vehicle registration may be required.
Do I need to insure my electric scooter if I only ride it on private property?
For an unregistered vehicle operated exclusively in a closed area or an area not accessible to the public, the law provides an exemption from mandatory liability insurance.
