How to Buy Compulsory Scooter Insurance in Taiwan

Where to buy

Compulsory insurance (強制險) is sold by non-life insurance companies. Note 3 of the compulsory insurance rate table defines a direct purchase as buying in person at the insurer or one of its branches, through the insurer’s own website, or by public tender. For a direct purchase the insurer must give a discount of “at least NT$60” on a one-year policy and “at least NT$80” on a two-year policy.

So for an ordinary heavy motorcycle, where the table premium is NT$658 for a year, buying directly takes at least NT$60 off. The table says “at least”, and each insurer publishes its own actual discount. We do not recommend any insurer and this is not insurance advice; we only set out what the rate table says.

Four things to check first

The class on your registration certificate (行照): ordinary heavy, large heavy, ordinary light or small light. Premiums go by this class, and electric scooters use it too. Copy it from the certificate so the premium is right.
The term: one or two years. See the premium table for every class.
The start date: when renewing, make sure the new policy starts where the old one ends.
The plate number and owner details: as they appear on the certificate.

If Chinese forms are a hurdle, having the registration certificate to hand is the easiest way through: the class, plate number and owner name are all printed on it.

What it pays

From 1 July 2026 the caps are NT$200,000 for injury medical costs, NT$3 million for disability and NT$3 million for death. The benefits are set by regulation and are the same whichever insurer you use. Compulsory insurance pays only these three kinds of benefit; damage to vehicles and other property is not among them, and cover for that needs optional insurance (任意險) on the insurer’s own terms.

Renew before it runs out

There is no fixed month for compulsory insurance: it runs from your own policy date. Keep the expiry date somewhere you will see it, alongside the April license tax and the July road fee in the payment calendar. We have not verified the penalty for riding without cover or letting it lapse, so we do not quote an amount; the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance Act and your motor vehicles office (監理站) are the authorities on that.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy compulsory scooter insurance online in Taiwan?

Yes, on an insurer's own website. The rate table lists buying through the insurer's website as a direct purchase, which must come with a discount of at least NT$60 for one year or NT$80 for two.

Which insurer is best for compulsory insurance?

We do not recommend insurers. Premiums come from one official table and the benefits are set by law, so what differs is whether the way you buy qualifies for the direct-purchase discount and how convenient the insurer is to deal with.

How is compulsory insurance different from third-party liability insurance?

Compulsory insurance is required for every scooter and pays for injury medical costs, disability and death up to fixed caps. Third-party liability insurance is optional; whether you buy it and how much cover you choose is up to you, under each insurer's own policy terms.

Is a two-year policy cheaper?

For an ordinary heavy motorcycle, two years cost NT$1,200 against NT$1,316 for two one-year policies, NT$116 less. Whether it pays off depends on whether you might sell or transfer the scooter within two years.

Do foreigners need compulsory insurance for a scooter in Taiwan?

Yes. Every scooter on the road must carry it whatever the owner's nationality, and the premium is the same table rate.

This site summarises laws and official notices; it is not tax, insurance or legal advice.