Lawnmowers and golf buggies need insurance, rules EU

Not sure if this is the right forum, but according to the EU it is. :rolleyes:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/money/insurance/article4364639.ece
Hundreds of thousands of people may have to insure lawnmowers, golf buggies and mobility scooters for the first time under European regulations.
Full motor insurance will be required for all vehicles, including those that never leave private land, to comply with a new EU directive, it has emerged.
Ministers fear that the rule change may apply to self-propelled petrol lawnmowers — in addition to ride-on mowers — because Europe’s definition of “motor vehicles” is so vague.

The idea of having to get "motor insurance" for the lawnmower is madness, this stuff is already covered under the general house insurance.

dingus12

It was always the case that any mechanically propelled vehicle must have insurance in a PUBLIC place, this would apply right down to a segway technically,

However, I can't see why a lawn mower, or any other mechanically propelled vehicle would need to be insured on private land.

To Elland Back

dingus12 wrote: »

It was always the case that any mechanically propelled vehicle must have insurance in a PUBLIC place, this would apply right down to a segway technically,

However, I can't see why a lawn mower, or any other mechanically propelled vehicle would need to be insured on private land.

It is coming and is as a result of litigation by persons injured by ride-ons on private land/gardens. As a compulsory insurance, it will be removed from the household insurance area and replaced with specific cover

Alkers

If I have a car in a field I don't need motor insurance - will I?

Simona1986

Simona1986 wrote: »

If I have a car in a field I don't need motor insurance - will I?

If the logic of this ruling is correct and it has a motor that makes it move, then yes.

colm_mcm

Gards will hardly be pulling in the field...

Voodoomelon

Where will I stick my insurance disk on my Briggs & Stratton? Will I have to NCT it too?

colm_mcm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Gards will hardly be pulling in the field...

Probably not, as traffic law and rules of the road don't apply.

But different laws could be used instead, a bit like the laws that can be invoked if you try to service your own gas boiler (without the certs) for example.

CiniO

Deleted User wrote: »

The idea of having to get "motor insurance" for the lawnmower is madness, this stuff is already covered under the general house insurance.

But general house insurance is not obligatory.

colm_mcm

Deleted User wrote: »

Probably not, as traffic law and rules of the road don't apply.

But different laws could be used instead, a bit like the laws that can be invoked if you try to service your own gas boiler (without the certs) for example.

They can't even find drivers without insurance on the roads, nevermind in my field.

Cheensbo

Yet another ruling coming out with makey-uppey bullsh1t rules that are completely impossible to enforce...

Hard enough to keep on top of uninsured drivers on the road let alone the flymo & field car.

CiniO

CiniO wrote: »

But general house insurance is not obligatory.

True, but beside the point as it is going to be an additional insurance for something that would have been covered under general household liability insurance.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Horsesh*t. If they try to enforce that then it means every single car truck and tractor sitting in garages and yards around the country have to be insured. Never gonna happen and I certainly will never ever ever insure my ride on lawn mower no matter what ridiculous laws the EU try to implement.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Horsesh*t. If they try to enforce that then it means every single car truck and tractor sitting in garages and yards around the country have to be insured. Never gonna happen and I certainly will never ever ever insure my ride on lawn mower no matter what ridiculous laws the EU try to implement.

I'm inclined to concur with you on this, I wouldn't be rushing out to insure the ride on either.

Just be sure not to run any one over.

Del2005

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Where will I stick my insurance disk on my Briggs & Stratton?

The same place that bikers stick it, in a drawer at home

Low Energy Eng

http://www.patrona.ie/Insurance_Update/

Irish nationals who have vehicles used in what was formally deemed not to be a public place, for example, private farmland, private land at residences, private yards or private car parks, warehousing sites, construction sites, should now arrange appropriate Road Traffic Act cover for such vehicles. The vehicle list (though not exhaustive) includes fork lift/pallet trucks, shunting trucks, special-types vehicles, farming/power generating implements with trailers, motorised lawnmowers and quads. Patrona Underwriting Ltd is notifying its broker panel of this important change via our website, pertinent updates will be provided as they become available.

corktina

it will at least stop the ridiculous situations of guys driving unregistered (and therefore untaxed and probably uninsured) things like forklifts around the town

edburg

Would this not need a law change to allow garda to approach you on private property.

Just I thought being on private property when they pulled you raises issues as in they need permission or warrant or similar.

Desolation Of Smug

The big question is what will the cost be? For example, if a company has 30 forklifts, or ten tractors used on a golf course, or a fleet of ride-on mowers. And how much for a ride-on? Will it be open driving?? This could be a bundle of laughs for a lot of people. I also wonder will the insurance companies go "Ca-Ching!!!" and decide that these policies will not be cheap to get?

I also wonder would I be bothered...getting a chase while mowing the lawn...

snaps

And yet cyclists that use public roads and are more of a risk don't need insurance?! Crazy EU!

To Elland Back

Desolation Of Smug wrote: »

I also wonder would I be bothered...getting a chase while mowing the lawn...

I think compliance would be very low. However, if caught, it involves a criminal conviction and all the joy that brings with it

Lando Griffin

And what qualifys one to use these motorised self propelled vehicles?
Should we not have to do a course to learn how to use a lawn mower in a safe way.
How much will this course be?

To Elland Back

Lando Griffin wrote: »

And what qualifys one to use these motorised self propelled vehicles?
Should we not have to do a course to learn how to use a lawn mower in a safe way.
How much will this course be?

There are already set requirements for forklifts, teleporters etc, but as for lawnmowers, your guess is as good as mine

edburg

Deleted User wrote: »

They prob say a helmet and seat belts will be needed next :rolleyes:

To Elland Back

Need to add a seat for a qualified driver for those with a newly laid lawn

BarryM

If I may say so, some posts on here are typical - "typical EU" "never for me" ....

The insurance directives are supposed to help. There are several cases where people in Ireland got satisfaction after initial refusal.

I just hope none of the naysayers on here don' t knock down a child with their quad/mower/buggy....

B