Almost 800 children aged 13 to 16 have faced significant repercussions for e-scooter misuse since the start of 2020. These young individuals received an IN10 endorsement, a penalty used by the police for "using a vehicle uninsured against third-party risks." This endorsement remains on a driving record for four years from the date of the offense, potentially adding £1,000 to the annual cost of car insurance.
Many of these cases likely involve private e-scooters, which are prohibited from being driven in public spaces. The financial implications are severe, as highlighted by data obtained by IAM RoadSmart through a freedom of information request. According to MoneySuperMarket's figures, these endorsements substantially elevate insurance costs. While the average annual premium for a 17- to 19-year-old with no recorded offenses is £1,766, an IN10 endorsement raises this figure to £2,767. Similarly, the average annual premium for a 20- to 29-year-old stands at £1,272, but jumps to £2,272 with the same endorsement.
The quotes provided are based on one-off payments and are derived from policies available on MoneySuperMarket's website. This increase in cost serves as a stark warning to young riders and their parents. As noted in a related statement:
“If you’re a parent considering buying your teen an e-scooter, or they already own one, be sure to have a conversation with them about using it responsibly, and let them know that riding it on a public road, as well as being illegal, could seriously affect the cost of your car insurance, or theirs in the future.”
Kara Gammell, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, emphasized the legal and financial consequences associated with e-scooter use:
“If you own an e-scooter, you need to know that riding one illegally is punishable by up to six penalty points on your driving licence and a £300 fine, which can also significantly drive up the cost of your car insurance.”