How to Protect Your Mobility Scooter From Theft

We often receive questions from new customers about how to best protect their TravelScoot from theft, especially since the TravelScoot does not have a key. As we’ve explained before, having a key does not prevent theft. Criminals can easily lift the entire scooter and run away with it. Even among mobility scooter companies that do use keys, there is no system in place to verify ownership. This means they must send new keys (often inexpensively) to anyone who requests one, making keys an ineffective theft deterrent.

The Most Common Method of Theft

The reality is that we have had very few reports of TravelScoots being stolen in public places. The majority of thefts occur from vehicles (via break-ins) and garages (when left open at night). In April alone, we had two customers report thefts:

- One scooter was stolen from a vehicle in a locked community garage.
- Another scooter was stolen directly from a garage.

From our experience, smash-and-grabs and garage theft account for more than 90% of all reported TravelScoot thefts.

How to Protect Your TravelScoot

The best way to prevent theft will depend on your specific situation, but here are some key steps you can take:

1. Insure Your TravelScoot

Whether you are a longtime TravelScoot rider or just purchased your scooter, we highly recommend checking if your scooter can be added to your insurance policy. Possible coverage options include:

✅ Homeowners Insurance
✅ Renters Insurance
✅ Health Insurance
✅ Vehicle Insurance

Not only can this protect your scooter from theft, but it may also cover damage in the event of an accident. To report your scooter for insurance purposes, you will need the serial number, which is located above the front wheel in embossed numbers (usually beginning with the year, e.g., 2022). You can also find the model name on our website. We recommend writing the serial number down on the inside cover of your manual for easy reference.

2. Bring Your TravelScoot Inside When Not in Use

The simplest and most effective way to prevent theft is to store your TravelScoot indoors when it’s not being used. Criminals rarely break into homes, as they prefer quick and easy opportunities like an unlocked garage or a visible scooter in a car.

While public, broad-daylight theft of mobility scooters is rare, taking precautions—especially when traveling—is always a good idea. Here are two practical security measures:

3. Lock It Up When You Step Away

Using a cable lock (like those for bicycles) is an excellent deterrent. It won’t stop a determined thief with tools, but it will make theft more difficult and keep honest people honest.

We recommend securing the cable lock to the left fork of the scooter. If someone attempts to steal the TravelScoot with our cable lock, they would need either:

Large cable cutters (which would be obvious and suspicious), or
To completely disassemble the left wheel (requiring an 18mm open wrench and a 5mm Allen wrench—not an easy task).

The hassle and risk involved make stealing a TravelScoot with a cable lock not worth it for most criminals.

4. Use an AirTag to Track Your TravelScoot

A hidden Apple AirTag is a great way to keep track of your scooter in case it is ever stolen or misplaced. We recommend placing the AirTag in one of the following locations:

✅ Under the seat (blends in well with the black plate)
✅ On the right fork

⚠ Do NOT place the AirTag on the left fork. The magnet inside the AirTag could interfere with the TravelScoot motor, potentially causing performance issues.

Most criminals won’t recognize an AirTag on a mobility scooter. Since the TravelScoot already has two black boxes (the junction box and controller housing), an extra small device is unlikely to raise suspicion.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into how to protect your TravelScoot from theft. While theft is rare, taking a few extra precautions can provide peace of mind and ensure that your scooter remains safe.