Vespa scooter insurance

There are various Vespa models to choose from, with a wide range of engine sizes.

If you’re looking for a Vespa to make longer trips between urban areas, you could choose a model with a 300cc engine. Those who just want a Vespa to get around the city could opt for a less powerful 50cc model. This might be cheaper to buy and insure.

There’s a big difference in power, though. A 300cc Vespa typically has a top speed of around 80 mph, while a 50cc can do up to 40 mph. In the UK, the engine is restricted to 30mph.

Do you need insurance for a Vespa?

Yes you do. It’s a legal requirement to have moped or scooter insurance on your Vespa. Not having a valid motorbike insurance could result in:

Your Vespa being seized and destroyed
Points on your licence
A court summons
Unlimited fines

How much is Vespa insurance?

The price you pay for your Vespa insurance depends on several factors, not just the scooter itself. Your age, address and UK postcode all have an effect on the price.

When getting quotes for your Vespa scooter, don’t forget to let potential insurers know about any scooter modifications. If you don't, your claims could be rejected.

Vespas have lower power, which might make you think that they’re cheaper to insure. But their desirability and high rate of theft can raise insurance costs, so it's worth shopping around. Investing in some good scooter security options is also wise.

If you're looking to save money on your Vespa insurance you could look at doing an advanced riding qualification. This enhances your riding skills, which will make you a safer biker and could bring down your costs.

You can also check out our guide on how you could get cheaper motorbike insurance, which has our tips for potentially reducing your insurance costs in a number of ways.

Can I ride a Vespa on a car licence?

Yes you can. But it depends on when you got your car licence.

If you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001, you can ride a Vespa up to 50cc without needing L-plates. If you want to ride anything with a larger engine, you'll need to take Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).

If you passed your driving test on or after 1 February 2001, you have to complete a CBT course before you can use your Vespa scooter on the road.

If you're a learner driver, you must complete your CBT first and then pass your driving test within 2 years.

In either case, you don’t need to take a moped test. But if you want to ride anything over 50cc, you'll have to complete the theory and practical tests.

Vespa history and facts

Vespa was the original scooter, designed to offer fast, cheap transport. Other mopeds have long emulated its classic step-through design, but Vespa continues to rank among the world’s best scooters.

Piaggio, the Italian company behind the Vespa, has remained true to the original concept. But it has constantly innovated over the years to incorporate new technology and provide more choice.

Piaggio was established in 1884 as a train builder in Genoa, northwest Italy. The company steadily expanded its areas of expertise to include aircraft and motorboats.

But following the Second World War, Piaggio focused on developing 2-wheelers to meet an urgent need for affordable and user-friendly transport. It launched the first Vespa in 1946 - the Vespa 98 - and still draws on the same iconic, step-through design to this day.

The Vespa quickly became part of Italian culture – 1 million units were manufactured within its first decade of existence. Named after the Italian word for wasp, Vespa’s growing popularity created a new word, ‘vespare’, which means ‘to go somewhere on a Vespa’.

The scooter achieved global fame after Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn were seen riding around on one in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. In 1962, surrealist painter Salvador Dalí decided to customise a Vespa with some of his artwork.

During the 1960s, the UK became the world’s biggest market for the Vespa as the scooter surged in popularity with Mod subculture. The UK is still Vespa’s second biggest market, behind Italy.

By the scooter’s 75th anniversary in 2021, over 19 million Vespas had been produced worldwide, with 2 million made within the past decade. The Vespa continues to be immortalised in popular culture and features prominently in Disney Pixar’s 2021 film Luca.

Listed on the Italian stock exchange, today Piaggio is dedicated to making scooters, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles. Alongside Vespa, the company’s scooter and motorcycle brands include:

Piaggio
Derbi
Aprilia
Scarabeo
Moto Guzzi
Gilera

Piaggio’s scooters and motorcycles are made at a sprawling factory in Tuscany, central Italy. The company also has manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and India to meet demand in Asia.

The current Vepsa models

Piaggio has produced many Vespa models over the years, and currently offers 6 Vespa models to choose from:

GTS Super
GTS
Sei Giorni
Primavera
Sprint
Electrica

You should expect to pay more to insure the more expensive Vespas, while cover for models with the smaller 50cc engines could be considerably cheaper.

Younger riders, especially those aged 16-17 years old, might find moped and scooter insurance more expensive, as insurers tend to view this age group as being riskier.

Piaggio’s GTS Super and GTS 300cc models tend to be rated highly by those looking for a more powerful scooter. Models with the larger engine might be more expensive to insure as they can create more expensive claims when involved in an accident.

The all-electric Vespa Elettrica is also getting strong reviews and is billed as the future of scootering.

*All prices accurate as of 12 September 2022.

GTS Super

If you’re looking for some extra power from your scooter, you could opt for a GTS Super 300, with its high-performance 300cc engine. The manufacturer boasts that it's the most powerful Vespa engine.

There’s also a tamer GTS Super offering a single-cylinder 125cc i-get engine with a start-stop feature. The GTS Super 300 is generally more expensive to buy and insure.

All the latest GTS Super models come with digital dashboard and Bluetooth so you can connect your smartphone. In all, there are 8 different versions of the GTS Super to choose from and prices start at around £5,000*.

GTS

As with the GTS Super, the GTS comes with a choice of 300cc or 125cc engine, depending on how much power you want.

While the GTS Super and GTS look similar, the GTS doesn’t have the same level of standard infotainment as the GTS Super.

The GTS Super benefits from a digital dashboard and smartphone connectivity that the GTS lacks. Piaggio offers 5 distinct versions of the GTS.

Vespa claims that its GTS 300 Euro 5 is 'the fastest Vespa in the family'. Prices start from £4,950*.

Sei Giorni

Sei Giorni, which means ‘six days’, is a stylish Vespa that pays homage to Piaggio’s 1951 Vespa Sport Sei Giorni model. This was built for the 1951 Sei Giorni Internazionale race in Vareze, Italy.

Piaggio’s creation won nine gold medals in the six-day motorcycle competition.

The current Sei Giorni model comes with a 300cc high-performance engine and stands out for aesthetic touches such as the vintage-look instrument panel and low headlight.

Today’s Sei Giorni also comes with some useful tech, including an integrated safety system and USB smartphone charging port.

If you're looking for a stylish blend of retro style and modern comfort, the Sei Giorni might be worth considering.

You can buy a Sei Giorni 300 from Vespa for £5,700*.

Primavera

A classic Vespa model that originated in the swinging 60s, the Primavera now comes with a multi-function full-colour display, connected to the Vespa MIA app. This offers handy info at your fingertips, from bike status to trip statistics.

You can also use the handlebar to answer calls to your smartphone. The voice command function lets you make calls as well as manage your music playlist.

The Primavera Pic Nic emulates the care-free joy of travelling around the countryside - perfect for holiday riding.

There are 4 different versions of the current Primavera to choose from, with engine sizes ranging from 50cc to 125cc.

You can buy Primavera from £3,550*.

Sprint

Another Vespa combining the spirit of the 60s with 21^st century innovation is the Sprint.

The Sprint is a sporty Vespa, with its all-aluminium build making it especially lightweight.

All Vespas in the Sprint range come with an Italian Green Experience Technology (i-get) engine to help reduce your fuel consumption. They also feature better engine cooling and reduced carbon emissions.

There are 3 different versions, with engine power varying from 50cc to 150cc. Vespa has collaborated with music star Justin Bieber on a trim that's been personally designed by the singer.

Prices for the Sprint start at £4,000*.

Electricca

An all-electric scooter powered by a lithium-ion battery, Piaggio describes this recent edition to the Vespa line-up as super-silent.

There are 3 versions. The 2 standard models are the Electricca 45 km/h and the more powerful Electricca 70 km/h. You can easily recharge your Elettrica by connecting the underseat cable to wall-mounted electrical sockets or public charging stations. It takes 4 hours to fully recharge.

Vespa has partnered with (RED) to create a special edition RED 70 km/h Electricca that donates to The Global Fund. This is a charity dedicated to help defeat diseases like HIV, TB and malaria.

The Electricca comes with a multi-function full-colour display, connected to the Vespa MIA app. This gives you key info at your fingertips and allows you to use your smartphone via the handlebar.

Prices start at £6,300*.

Compare Vespa insurance quotes from up to 37 insurance providers

Get a bike quote

See other motorbike manufacturers

Harley-Davidson
Honda
Kawasaki
Suzuki
Triumph
Yamaha

Find more manufacturers

Motorbike guides

Motorbike tax explained

How much is motorbike tax and why do you have to pay it? We explain all in our comprehensive guide.

Person on a motorbike looking into the distance

How to cancel your motorbike insurance

Whatever your reason, here's how you go about cancelling your cover.

Motorbikes on the road in mountains with Alps in background

Touring Europe on a motorcycle: What you need to know

Planning on hitting the continent soon? Here's what you need to know.

How to get a motorbike licence

Here's all you need to know to pass your motorbike test with flying colours.

Electric motorbike insurance

If you're thinking of ditching your motorbike and switching to electric read on. Here's what you need to know.

How to claim on your motorcycle insurance

Find out what you should do if you need to make a claim on your bike insurance.

Explore more motorbike guides

Confused.com motorbike insurance is administered by Vast Visibility Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 566973. Vast Visibility Ltd is registered in England & Wales No. 05866769 at office: 8 Princes Parade, Liverpool, L3 1DL. Our service is free and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission from Vast Visibility Ltd which is a percentage of the total commission if you decide to buy through our website. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence – therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.

Vespa insurance

Compare cheap Vespa insurance for your scooter with Confused.com