Repair Service Up to 300,000 KRW Per Year for Device Malfunctions
Accident Compensation Limit Raised to 30 Million KRW During Mobility
Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) is expanding insurance support for electric assistive devices and providing repair cost assistance to prevent difficulties caused by safety accidents or restrictions on mobility as the use of electric assistive devices such as electric wheelchairs and electric scooters by people with disabilities increases.
The insurance support target for electric assistive devices includes registered people with disabilities residing in Yangcheon-gu who use electric assistive devices. They are automatically enrolled in the insurance without a separate subscription process. The insurance premium is fully covered by the district office, and compensation for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidents during the operation of electric assistive devices is provided without any personal expense.
This year, Yangcheon-gu expanded the coverage along with the insurance contract. The compensation limit per accident was raised from 20 million KRW to 30 million KRW, and a new provision for attorney fees was established to support up to 5 million KRW in cases where the user is detained or prosecuted due to bodily injury to others while operating the electric assistive device. This measure aims to minimize damages to both parties in legal disputes.
In addition, the district is promoting the ‘Electric Assistive Device Repair Cost Support Project’ to ensure safe mobility for users and provides professional repair services through six commissioned repair companies contracted with the district.
The support targets registered people with disabilities residing in the district. Electric and manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are eligible for repair support, with an annual total limit of 300,000 KRW per person. For general people with disabilities, 50% of the repair cost is supported up to 100,000 KRW per repair, while recipients of basic livelihood security and near-poverty disabled persons receive 100% support up to 200,000 KRW per repair. Those wishing to apply for repairs can fill out an application form at their local community service center or contact the respective repair company.
Yangcheon-gu was the first in the nation to start supporting repairs for electric assistive devices for people with disabilities in 2004 and has been operating the program since then. Last year, a total of 224 registered people with disabilities in Yangcheon-gu benefited from the electric assistive device repair support.
Furthermore, to reduce the burden of charging electric assistive devices during outdoor activities, the district operates ‘electric assistive device rapid chargers’ at 18 locations including community service centers, welfare centers, and affiliated institutions, making various efforts to improve mobility convenience for people with disabilities.
Mayor Lee Gi-jae said, “We hope that through insurance and repair cost support for electric assistive devices, people with disabilities can move safely without economic burden,” and added, “We will continue to discover and operate necessary policies to create a better living environment for people with disabilities.”
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