You need two things covered: yourself (medical, trip cancellation, the usual) and the rental equipment (damage, theft, loss). Standard travel insurance handles the first. It usually doesn't handle the second.
What Standard Travel Insurance Covers
A good travel insurance policy typically covers:
• Medical emergencies and hospital treatment
• Trip cancellation and curtailment
• Personal belongings (your stuff, not rented equipment)
• Personal liability (if you injure someone or damage their property)
• Repatriation if needed
You should absolutely have travel insurance for any trip to Spain. UK visitors: your GHIC/EHIC covers emergency medical treatment but not repatriation, trip cancellation, or many other things. It's not a substitute for travel insurance.
What Standard Travel Insurance Usually Doesn't Cover
Here's the gap: most travel insurance policies exclude hired or rented equipment from their coverage. If you damage a rental scooter, your travel insurance probably won't pay for it.
Some policies offer "hired equipment" add-ons, but they're often designed for ski equipment or bikes, with low coverage limits that wouldn't cover a mobility scooter. Read the fine print carefully — "mobility aids" and "hired vehicles" are often specifically excluded.
What Happens If You Damage a Rental Scooter
Without equipment insurance, you're personally liable for damage to the rental scooter. Most rental agreements include a security deposit (typically €100-300) which covers minor damage. But if you write off a scooter entirely — theft, serious accident, irreparable damage — you could be liable for the full replacement cost. That's potentially €1,000-3,000+.
Normal wear and tear, mechanical failures, and breakdowns aren't your responsibility — that's on the rental company. We're talking about accidents, theft, loss, and damage caused by misuse.
Our Equipment Insurance Option
We offer optional equipment insurance that covers damage to the rental scooter during your hire period. For a daily fee added to your rental, you're protected against accidental damage and theft. If something happens, you're not facing a large bill.
It's not compulsory — you can rent without it if you prefer to self-insure or if your own policy genuinely covers hired mobility equipment (check carefully). But most visitors find the peace of mind worth the modest extra cost.
What We Require
Travel insurance: We strongly recommend it but don't require proof. That's your responsibility and your risk.
Equipment insurance: Optional. Either take our equipment insurance or accept liability via the security deposit.
Security deposit: Required for all rentals. Refunded in full if the scooter is returned undamaged. If you have our equipment insurance, the deposit still applies but your maximum liability is capped.
Our Recommendation
1. Get travel insurance. For medical cover, trip cancellation, personal liability. Non-negotiable for any trip abroad.
2. Check if it covers hired mobility equipment. Most don't, but some do. Call them and ask specifically about "hired mobility scooters" — don't assume.
3. If it doesn't, consider our equipment insurance. It's designed specifically for this situation and costs less than you'd think.
The Bottom Line
Travel insurance: yes, definitely. Equipment insurance: your choice, but understand what you're liable for without it. A few euros a day buys a lot of peace of mind.
Questions About Insurance?
We're happy to explain our equipment insurance options and what's covered. Just ask.
Related Reading:
• What Happens If My Rental Scooter Breaks Down in Madrid?
• Should I Fly With My Own Scooter or Rent in Madrid?
• What Type of Mobility Scooter Should I Rent for Madrid?
