Need to buy a scooter for your family member but not sure where to start? Don’t stress, we can help – this blog has great tips for buying a mobility scooter.
Mobility scooters are becoming increasingly popular across Australia. They offer a safe and affordable way for people to regain their independence if they struggle to walk for long distances. At any given time, many people are looking into a scooter as necessary equipment for their needs.
First-timers often bring their family into the purchase decision process. Some rely entirely on their children or younger family members to do the research and choosing for them. Have you found yourself in this position?
You want to get the safest, easiest to use, and most maneuverable and comfortable scooter in your price range, right? Read on…
Turn Confusion Into Knowledge
Buying a mobility scooter can be an overwhelming experience. It can be even more confusing when it’s your parent or another relative who needs the equipment.
While only a few insurance companies offer mobility equipment insurance, there are many different types of mobility scooters on the market. It’s important that you choose one that suits both your loved one’s lifestyle and physical needs.
Mobility scooters are therapeutic devices so there’s a lot more to consider than just looks and cost. Below are a few important points to think about.
Height
Scooters come in a range of sizes. It’s important to choose one that suits the driver’s unique body.
For example, make sure they can reach the scooter’s controls comfortably and the seat is high enough, so their legs don’t obstruct the controls. Three-wheel mobility scooters often offer more legroom than four-wheel models and are easier to get into and out of if the driver has trouble bending.
In some models the seat, armrests and steering controls can also be adjusted to suit height.
Weight
Every scooter has a specific weight it can safely carry on the flat, level ground. Even small hills can make a difference to that, because they impact how its motor functions. For example, a scooter that can carry 112kg on flat land may only be able to safely carry 80kg up a 10 per cent incline (such as a wheelchair ramp).
Carrying weights that are too heavy can damage the motor and/or reduce battery life. They can even stop the driver from being able to get to the places they want to go. So, make sure weight limits are discussed with the supplier.
Environment
One of the biggest pre-purchase considerations for a mobility scooter is the environment the driver will need to navigate.
If usage will be mostly indoors then a small, maneuverable mobility vehicle might be best. That way, corridors, aisles and elevators can be easily accessed.
Conversely, mobility scooters designed for outdoor use are generally larger and heavier. They’re designed to cope with terrain like hills, bumpy surfaces and small puddles.
If this is the more likely choice then you’ll need to take battery life into serious consideration. You don’t want your family member to find themselves unable to move in the middle of a quiet, low-traffic area.
Keeping the battery well-charged and never letting it completely run down will help increase its life and improve the user experience.
If in doubt, choose a model with slightly more battery power than your relative thinks they’ll need. That way their lifestyle won’t be limited by how long the battery lasts.
Portability
A range of foldable or portable scooters can be easily lifted and transported in a car or other vehicle. They’re designed to be easily dismantled and some even come with their own carry bag.
Curious about how to store the mobility scooter in a vehicle? Here’s some info on what to consider.
As portable scooters are usually smaller than other scooters, they may not be suitable for taller people, cannot carry as much weight, and their battery life can be shorter.
Larger scooters can safely be transported in wheelchair accessible vehicles, including accessible taxis with a four-point tie down system. Ask the scooter supplier to install anchor points in the vehicle if the scooter needs to be transported regularly.
The Future
A mobility scooter can last many years, and you want to make sure your loved one gets the most out of their purchase. To do that, it’s important to consider their needs both today and in the future.
Before buying a mobility scooter, you both need to think about how their medical condition and lifestyle might change over the next five or so years. Discussion points include:
- Are you likely to gain or lose weight?
- Will you need to start carrying heavy equipment like oxygen bottles?
- Is your mobility, eyesight or cognitive function likely to improve, deteriorate or stay the same?
- Are you planning to move house?
- Are you likely to have lifestyle changes such as starting university, getting a new job or retiring?
- Will you want to take your scooter with you on holiday?
Carers
If you will be relied upon to assemble, store and/or maintain the scooter, it’s important you understand how it works. When you’re out researching scooters ask plenty of questions and ensure your purchase comes with an instruction manual.
Further, if you’re a carer for your family member then you’re often in a position to notice changes in their condition before their doctor does. Make sure you take the scooter into consideration when things change so it continues to cater to their needs.
Fully Investigate Second-hand and Online Options
There are a wide range of second-hand mobility scooters available on the market, providing a cost-effective alternative to new models. Vendors range from mainstream mobility equipment dealers who sell refurbished models to individuals selling a scooter they no longer need. There are also many choices from overseas distributors.
As part of our top tips for buying a mobility scooter, here are five key considerations:
- Is the scooter compliant with Australian Standards? If your scooter doesn’t conform it may be illegal and/or dangerous to use here
- Is the seller a reputable source?
- What is the warranty situation?
- Are there any hidden costs?
- Will you need to assemble it yourself?
If you’re thinking about buying a scooter from overseas, also check the electrical outlets and wattage that it uses.
Mobility Scooter Insurance
Did you know you can protect your relative’s scootering experience via mobility equipment insurance? Just as car owners take out comprehensive car insurance, so too do scooter owners with comprehensive mobility scooter insurance.
Scooters may move relatively slowly, but that doesn’t mean they – or their driver – are safe from accidents. Over the five years from 2011–12 to 2015–2016, 4,613 people went to hospital for a possible mobility scooter-related injury.
The vast majority of injuries are fall-related and the rest tend to be pedestrians injured in a collision with a mobility scooter.
Although, thankfully, around 95 per cent of trips on a scooter involve no injury or damage (according to a 2012 survey) that still leaves a 5 per cent likelihood. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
From as little as $17.50 per month*, mobility scooter insurance can help your family rest easy. You’ll know your relative’s mode of transport is covered for situations including accidental loss and damage plus personal items that get lost, stolen or damaged while using it. It can also cover costs incurred to get them/their scooter home following an accident.
Test Drive
One of the simplest tips for buying a mobility scooter is to ask for a test drive. A test drive will be vital to making sure your loved one’s new mode of freedom fits their needs. That way you can test out its comfort, fit and so on.
Keep researching
Need further guidance? That’s understandable; it’s a big decision. The Blue Badge Insurance Mobility Scooter Guide will provide you with much more information on how to help your beloved make the most suitable decision for their circumstances.
Do you have any other tips for buying a mobility scooter? Share your wisdom with us by messaging our Facebook page!
*at February 2020
