Age and where you live have a major impact on insurance premiums if you are a moped driver. So how do you get the best deal?

The impact of factors like age can lead to a whopping €6,500 difference in premiums, an investigation by the comparison site scooterverzekering.nl among three big insurers showed.

There are some 1.2 million mopeds and speed-restricted snorfietsen in the Netherlands, all of which need, by law, to be insured against damage done by their drivers to other people. But, says insurance expert Koen Kuijper, the statistics are particularly stacked against young people who are hard put to pay even the most basic insurance.

For example, a Piaggio Vespa from 2022 is worth some €4,000 and would cost a 16-year-old around €166 a month, while an 18-year-old would pay €95. Fast forward to a 70-year-old and the premium falls to a mere €24.

All-risk insurance, which would also cover theft and damage to the moped through a driver’s own fault, would set the 16-year-old back €625 a month compared to “just” €82 for the elderly driver.

Accidents

“The differences in premium prices are also based on the fact that young moped drivers are much more often involved in accidents resulting in damage,” Kuijper said.

It also matters where the moped owner lives. The investigation showed that the premium paid by a Rotterdammer will be an average of 65% higher than that of a fellow moped owner in the small town of Zevenbergen.

In Rotterdam, all-risk moped insurance would cost the Piaggio Vespa owner an average of €2,400 a year, or almost half of what her machine is worth. In Zevenbergen, the same policy would cost no more than €1,475.

In the big cities moped drivers have to deal with cars, bikes and pedestrians as well as navigate more complex traffic situations, including intersections, traffic lights and roundabouts. “And all that adds up to a higher number of accidents and big premiums,” Kuijper explained.

Theft

“Figure in the higher number of moped thefts and premiums inch up even more,” he said. A total of 14,815 mopeds were stolen in 2022, according to figures from statistics agency CBS. Over half the thefts took place in the provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland with the city of Rotterdam topping the list with 2,235.

While some youngsters might be tempted to put their insurance in their parents’ name to reduce the costs, it is a strategy that may not end well, Kuijper said. “It could lead to higher payments in case of an accident, loss of damage-free years, or even an accusation of insurance fraud,” he warned.

Taking a moped on the road without any insurance at all is even less of an alternative. Not only is it against the law but driving without any insurance can have significant financial implications in the event of an accident, especially if the young driver is at fault.

Exclusions

What any driver of mopeds needs to look out for are coverages and exclusions, which can vary with each insurance, Kuijper said. “Some plans come with a specific deductible (own risk), which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. The deductible amount can vary depending on the driver’s age.

Insurers may also offer extra benefits like roadside assistance, passenger insurance or replacement of your moped if it’s totaled. It is important to be aware of these extras because they could be a deciding factor.”

Kuijper said he hoped the investigation will clarify premium differences and contribute to honesty and transparency in the insurance market.