Vespa scooters...insurance? Motorcycle license?

I'm thinking of buying a vespa scooter or something like it but if I'm not sure if it'd be worth it if my insurance goes sky high. Do I need to worry about insuring it? Also, would I need a motorcycle license?

I'm in Washington State

Might differ from state to state, but in Oregon it depends on motor size whether you need a motorcycle endorsement on your license. I drive a true motorcycle, and it only took my insurance up 13.00 a month (on top of my car, renters, and life insurance)

I am in Washington state as well. If you get a 50cc scooter or less, you do not need a motorcycle endorsement. Insurance is generally very cheap for scooters. Geico, or progressive have good rates, and you can get a quick quite on line.

Although you could just get a 50cc scooter and 'go for it', I recommend you go to the Washington DOL website and download the motorcycle driving manual. Study the material, and take the motorcycle written test at the DMV. This will get you a motorcycle learners permit. Sign up for the motorcycle safety class (see link below). You can take the class on a scooter if you wish. Passing this class will make you a much safer rider, and gives you a full motorcycle endorsement. This also allows you to operate scooters greater than 50cc.

A 50cc scooter can only reach a top speed of 35mph on level ground, and on hills it will not keep pace with traffic. For almost the same price, you can get something like a 150cc vespa, or a Yamaha Vino 125 that has a top speed of 60mph or for a bit more a 250cc Honda Reflex or Vespa GTS that is capable of going on the freeway. Even if you are convinced you only want a 50cc scooter, you should complete the training anyways.

A lot of people are interested in Vespa because for sentimenal reasons. The piaggio company bought the vespa name and re-labelled one of their own models. They are not a good value compared to Honda,Yamaha, or Suzuki. The past should be remembered, not re-lived.

Yes, you need a license to ride a Vespa on the street.
Yes, you need to insure, but that's not a worry.

Go to http://www.progressive.com
for an insurance rate that will probably beat any others you get.

Insurance is usually less on a small scooter, also look at Kycmo and Hyosung scooters they are just as good if not
better and do not cost as much. They are well made not some of the junk that is being imported now days

it depends what country you live, however it is worth looking at electric scooters to save yourself from the hell of buying petrol

you will need insurance and some kind of documentation i.e. license