5 Tips For Insuring Off-Road Vehicles

Go ahead… get dirty!  But before you strap on those goggles and tear it up… make sure you have the proper coverage. Whether your toy of choice is a 4-wheeler, dirt bike, dune buggy, or golf cart… here are 5 tips for insuring your off-road vehicles:

1.   Purchase A Separate Off-Road Vehicle Policy – If you are relying on the coverage provided from your homeowner’s policy you may not be as protected as you think.  Many riders don’t realize that most homeowner’s policies do not provide coverage when their off-road vehicle is taken off the property.  You are much better off purchasing a separate off-road vehicle policy that will cover you on and off your property.

2.   Take A Safety Course – These safety courses will take you through every step of riding, from unloading your vehicle to traversing through trails.  Plus most companies will give you a discount for having completed a safety course!

3.   Protect The Extras – If you love personalizing your off-road vehicle, check your insurance coverage.  Some policies automatically include a limited amount of coverage for custom equipment.  Depending on how much love you’ve given your off-road vehicle, you may need to purchase additional coverage.

4.   Stay On The Road – Many riders haul their off-road vehicle on a trailer to their favorite riding spot.  Make sure your insurance policy includes reimbursement for lodging, transportation, and meals should you become stranded due to an accident or breakdown.

5.   Insure All Of Your Toys Together – Own more than one toy?  Insure them all together on the same policy whenever possible.  Most companies will give you significant discounts!

With miles of wilderness and terrain waiting out there… the last thing you want to worry about is your insurance!  Make sure you’re protected and contact me today for a free quote!

Insuring Your Golf Cart

Golf carts are typically associated with leisure activities such as driving around the golf range, traveling around a gated or retirement community, or even just rolling around your own property. Golf carts aren’t made for speed, but they’re still moving vehicles that can be damage or cause injuries and damage to others.

Let’s say it’s a brisk, beautiful morning. You take your golf cart from the garage and ride up to the neighborhood golf course. The grass is mildly slick from morning dew, causing you to skid and run into another cart. Not only did you dent both carts, but the passenger of the other cart fell out and broke his arm. If you don’t have golf cart insurance, you may be responsible for these damages out of pocket.

Or maybe you’re driving your golf cart around your gated community… on your way to visit a friend. A squirrel runs in front of your cart! You swerve to miss it, causing you to jump the curb and hit a light post. The front of your cart is badly damaged and you can’t drive it away from the scene. Without golf cart insurance, you may be responsible for paying the repairs out of pocket.

And finally… your golf cart is safely locked in your garage. Your teenager decides to take it for a spin while you’re at work. Before he even gets it out of the garage, he accidentally bumps his friend, knocking him to the ground. His friend needs stitches and has a sprained ankle and wrist. Without golf cart insurance, you may be responsible for paying the medical bills out of pocket.

Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover your golf cart, though coverage is typically provided only when driving around on your property and is usually very limited.

You may be better off purchasing a specialized golf cart insurance policy that will give you more comprehensive coverage, on and off your property. When purchasing a golf cart insurance policy, you have a variety of coverage options to choose from such as:

• Bodily Injury Liability – Protects you against financial loss when you are held legally responsible for a golf cart accident causing injury or death to someone else.
• Property Damage Liability – Covers you against financial loss if you are found liable for damage to other people’s property caused by your golf cart.
• Medical Payments – Pays for reasonable and necessary medical expenses directly resulting from an accident with your golf cart.
• Uninsured Bodily Injury – Pays benefits for bodily injury or death if you are struck by a golf cart that doesn’t have insurance.
• Underinsured Bodily Injury – Pays benefits for bodily injury or death if you are struck by a golf cart that has some insurance, but not enough to cover the loss.
• Comprehensive – Pays for damage to your golf cart caused by events such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm and hail.
• Collision – Pays for damage to your golf cart caused by collision (contact with a physical object such as another golf cart or structure).
• Additional Coverage – Coverage may also be available for things such as accessories, customized equipment, transport trailers, and towing.

Make your next golf cart excursion both enjoyable and safe!  Contact me for more information and a free quote.