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Becoming more and more popular throughout the United States, Segways are especially prevalent in urban areas, since they provide many people a form of transportation, which is quicker than walking, but easier than riding public transportation. These two wheeled personal transportation vehicles are quite new, so there are many things that people do not know about the vehicles and the insurance available for them. Just as with any expensive transport purchase, you will need to understand both your device and the insurance to cover it.
In order to get a better understanding, here you will find three things to know about Segways and Segway insurance. With this information, you will be able to make informed decisions if you decide to purchase one of the transport devices.
1. Because these transport devices are new, they have just recently begun availability to the public. In the past, the Segways were only available for commercial uses, bought by cities as an option for public transportation. However, in recent times, models have been sold for private use. However, due to their newness, they are not legal for sidewalk use in all states. If you are thinking about purchasing one of the transport machines, make sure they are legal for sidewalk use in your state.
The legality of Segways will go hand in hand with the availability of insurance. If you are not supposed to own one of the devices, you will not be able to get it properly insured. This could mean you could face penalties for using an illegal transport device and you could take a large loss if it gets damaged or stolen.
2. Just as with anything used for transportation, you will need to consider three main types of insurance for your Segway. These three types of coverage include comprehensive, collision, and liability. While you may already know about these three coverages, here is a brief refresher on each of them.
Usually, the only insurance that you are required to own on a vehicle is liability. In the case of Segway insurance, the policy is not a requirement, but could eventually become one. Liability is, in simple terms, a coverage to protect you if you injure someone else or cause damage to other people’s properties. Liability is needed for Segway operators, especially since the devices are often used on sidewalks, where a pedestrian could be injured.
Collision for these transport devices is the same type of collision coverage you would have on an auto. If you are involved in a collision while operating your machine, whether the collision involves another Segway, a car, or a truck, the coverage will help pay for damages to your transport machine.
Finally, comprehensive is just as it sounds. This coverage will take care of many different things that could happen to your Segway. This type of coverage will not pay on anything that comes from a collision, but will cover other types of damage, including theft, vandalism, or fire.
3. Some insurance companies do not offer a specific Segway insurance policy, but instead cover it under other small vehicles coverages. In order to determine if your machine will be properly covered, compare the insurance company’s policies. Whether they offer Segway specific coverage, or they include it in other standard policies, you will need to make sure it covers everything that you need.
As Segways become more popular, it is likely that more insurance companies will start to offer Segway specific policies. Deductibles, premiums, and discounts will work munch the same way as other types of insurance coverages. In fact, if you choose to insure your Segway with the same company as your vehicle or your homeowner’s policy, you may be able to receive a discount as it is.
When it comes to personal transportation, the personal transport device may be the newest devices on the market, but they are growing in popularity, especially in areas of dense population. Many people are choosing these devices over cars or public transportation. If you choose to purchase a Segway, make sure it is legal in your state, and make sure you can get the proper insurance coverage. This way, you can use your transport device without worry, and you can get where you need to go.
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Segway insurance is an interesting proposition. In the eyes of both consumers and insurers, the Segway doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. Though it is a motorized vehicle, it is not anything like a scooter, motorcycle, or other small personal transportation device. Thus, insuring a Segway can be a bit of a challenge.
The first step, of course, is to source coverage. Segway insurance coverage is available from many mainline insurance companies, although it is offered inconsistently between states. There are also a number of specialty carriers who insure Segway owners, though they can take some extra searching to find.
One of the reasons that Segway coverage is not immediately obvious to potential buyers is that many insurance carriers don’t explicitly name the coverage Segway insurance. Instead, your Segway may be covered under a traditional recreational vehicle policy, a snowmobile policy, or an ATV policy. Thus, if you’d like to get an insurance quote, you may first need to determine how your chosen insurance company classifies the Segway in its risk rankings to know where to look for quotes.
You should also research what, if any, insurance is required for the Segway in your home state. This may dictate some of your choices for insurance coverage, as your state may require coverage limits or liability endorsements not offered by all carriers. Researching in advance will help you know what guidelines your Segway is subject to when out in public.
Information Needed For A Segway Insurance Quote
To get a Segway insurance quote, you don’t need much information. Unlike other recreational vehicle type products, there are only a few models of Segways on the market. Thus, once you’ve told your insurance partner the model of your Segway, a good bit of the quotation process is already done.
You may also need to provide information about the places where your Segway will be used to get an accurate insurance quote and appropriate coverage level. Different limits apply for business vs. residential use. If you will be using the Segway in an industrial setting or using it to give commercial tours, your quote will be different than someone who uses their Segway for personal commuting or local navigation.
Common Segway Insurance Policy Features
Despite the differences in the way that a Segway is classified by insurance companies, most Segway insurance policies have common features. The most typical Segway insurance policy features are:
- Comprehensive Coverage. This covers theft or vandalism to your Segway, and also will offer you protection if you have a less than perfectly secure storage situation. Weather damage also applies here.
- Collision Coverage. Though most Segways don’t move faster than 12.5 mph, collision still occur and thus this coverage is important to protect you from high replacement and repair costs.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Where the Segway is classified as a motorized vehicle, you will need this coverage to cover your costs if you are in an accident with an uninsured person or vehicle.
- Personal Liability Coverage. This coverage protects you from lawsuits stemming from injuring others through collisions or causing property damage with your Segway.
- Roadside Assistance Support. Though a traditional tow will not be necessary with your Segway, you will still appreciate a recharge or ride home if you find yourself stranded far from home.
Segway Insurance Discounts Available
There are orientation and safe user classes available around the country for Segway owners. Taking one of these classes or enrolling your employees in such classes may qualify you for a discount on your Segway insurance policy.
You may also be able to get discounts based on a multi-line policy discount for having multiple lines of coverage with one carrier. This can work if you have a regular vehicle policy and used your mainline carrier to get Segway insurance coverage. Alternatively, if you are insuring multiple Segways you may also qualify for discounts.
Segway Insurance Exclusions To Note
Though Segways are often lumped in with motorized scooters and recreational vehicles, there can be gaps in coverage if you have a personal policy and you use the Segway for a commercial venture. Check your local regulations to see if there are restrictions on use in certain public spaces, as this would constitute a trespassing crime and coverage is not offered when a crime is being committed.
