New Liability Mandate for Italian Scooter Owners
Starting July 16, 2024, every electric scooter owner in Italy must carry a mandatory civil liability insurance policy, known as RCA. This policy must be explicitly linked to the vehicle’s identification plate. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport warns that failure to comply will result in administrative fines ranging from 100 to 400 euros.
Distinguishing RCA from General Micromobility Policies
Not all insurance is created equal under the new law. The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) emphasizes that many existing policies marketed for general urban mobility—covering e-bikes, hoverboards, and scooters—fall short of the legal requirements. To satisfy the mandate, the RCA must be tied specifically to the scooter’s registration tag.
While supplemental policies covering theft, legal protection, or driver injury remain available, they cannot serve as a substitute for the mandatory RCA. Owners are urged to confirm with their insurers that they have purchased a dedicated RCA product rather than a general liability policy.
Financial Stakes and Coverage Thresholds
The Italian Insurance Code sets the minimum coverage limits for these policies at 6,45 million euros for personal injury and 1,3 million euros for property damage. The risks of riding uninsured extend far beyond the initial administrative fine.
If an uninsured driver causes an accident, the Guarantee Fund for Road Victims will step in to compensate the injured party. However, the Fund retains the legal right to seek full reimbursement from the scooter owner. Consequently, an owner could find themselves personally liable for damages that far exceed the cost of an annual insurance premium.
A Concentrated Urban Footprint
This mandate arrives alongside the recent rollout of mandatory identification plates. Ministry data shows that more than 133mila scooters have been registered nationwide. The concentration is heavy in Italy’s major cities, with Rome and Milan alone accounting for nearly 46% of all identified vehicles.
Current registration figures include:
- Milan: 33.316 registered plates
- Rome: 27.900 registered plates
- Bari: 5.747 registered plates
- Turin: 4.709 registered plates
As the implementation date takes hold, providers are adjusting their portfolios to offer compliant RCA products. Market estimates suggest that annual premiums will likely range between 25 and 150 euros, depending on the driver’s profile, their city of residence, and the specific coverage clauses selected.
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