Electric transport devices must be insured in future
What is this all about?
The Motor Liability Insurance Act has changed, and from 1 June 2024, motor liability insurance will be required for all electric transport devices with a maximum design speed of over 25 km/h or weighing more than 25 kg.
Examples of such electric transport devices include fully electric bicycles, light automatic product delivery devices, electric scooters, electric mopeds, light mini quad bikes intended for use by children and mini dirt bikes if they exceed the design speed or weight limit. Furthermore, motor liability insurance will be mandatory for all electric rental scooters, regardless of design speed or weight.
On the other hand, motor liability insurance will continue to be voluntary for electric bicycles with a motor power of 250 W or less that require pedalling to provide power, and that disable the motor-powered assistance when the speed reaches 25 km/h.
In addition to the statutory motor liability insurance, electric transport devices can be insured with comprehensive motor vehicle insurance to provide cover against theft and other losses.
Please note that if an electric transport device that is subject to statutory motor liability insurance has not been appropriately insured, the use of the transport device is prohibited. If the transport device is used without regard to this, any loss events related to it will be referred to the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre. The Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre will determine any compensation required, as well as a penalty fee for the failure to fulfil the obligation to insure.
What do I do in the event of an accident?
- help anyone who is injured at the site of the accident and collect the contact information of the parties
- find out the vehicle identification number of the electric transport device
- find out who owns the electric transport device
- report the loss
If the accident involved an electric rental scooter, find out the name of the rental service that owns the electric scooter and follow their instructions.
If the accident involved a transport device you own, file a loss report with your motor liability insurance company.
If the accident involved someone else's personal transport device, find out their motor liability insurance company if possible and file a loss report with them.
If you have a motor liability insurance with our company, you can report a loss event related to an electric transport device in op.fi.
As a personal customer, file a loss report for an accident caused by or related to a device you own: op.fi, "sähköiset liikkumisvälineet vahinkoilmoitus" ("loss report for electric transport devices").
As a corporate customer, file a loss report for an accident caused by or related to a device you own: hae-korvausta.op.fi.
As a party suffering loss: file a loss report: hae-korvausta.op.fi, loss report for electric transport devices.
Starting on 3 June 2024, a telephone service for all road accidents and property losses related to electric transport devices will be available on weekdays from 9.00 to 16.00
Identify the type of event and relevant insurance
Loss event | Covered by |
|---|---|
The electric transport device's design speed is over 25 km/h or weighs more than 25 kg, and another party suffers personal injury or property damage | Motor liability insurance |
An accident occurs at work or while commuting to work | Workers' compensation insurance |
The electric transport device's design speed is over 25 km/h or weighs more than 25 kg, and the device is stolen or damaged in a collision | Comprehensive motor vehicle insurance (voluntary insurance) |
The electric transport device's design speed is maximum 25 km/h or weighs maximum 25 kg, and a personal injury occurs | Leisure-time accident insurance (voluntary insurance) |
The electric transport device weighs maximum 25 kg or has a design speed of maximum 25 km/h, and a personal injury occurs while travelling | Travel insurance (voluntary insurance) |
The electric transport device's design speed is maximum 25 km/h or weighs maximum 25 kg, and property damage occurs | Home insurance (voluntary insurance) |
What does motor liability insurance cover?
Motor liability insurance covers personal injuries caused in a road accident, such as medical treatment expenses, loss of income and handicap benefits. Additionally, motor liability insurance covers vehicle damage for innocent parties and property damage caused to third parties.
Please note that for rental electric scooters, the compensation for the rider's personal injuries is limited. In the event that the rider of an electric rental scooter suffers personal injuries, the insurance of the electric rental scooter covers only the medical treatment expenses specified in the Motor Liability Insurance Act. The rider is defined as the person controlling the electric scooter.
What does the comprehensive motor vehicle insurance cover?
The voluntary comprehensive motor vehicle insurance covers damage to your own vehicle in accordance with the extent of the insurance cover. The more coverage the comprehensive motor vehicle insurance has, the more extensively it will cover different types of losses. Depending on the extent of the insurance cover, comprehensive motor vehicle insurance will also cover losses due to vandalism and theft.
What should I do if a road accident occurs while using an electric transport device without a mandatory motor liability insurance policy?
In Finland, the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre processes road accidents caused by uninsured vehicles. For instructions on how to file a loss report and claim compensation from the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre, please visit https://www.lvk.fi/en/compensation/claim-compensation-from-lvk/