With summer comes miles of trails and acres of property just waiting to be explored on your all-terrain vehicles. ATVs have become increasingly popular in recent years. More public land has become dedicated to trail riding, and the newest models have made it tremendously easy to own and operate these go-anywhere big boy toys.

Now that warmer temperatures have returned, you may be considering whether you should purchase insurance. Perhaps you’ve recently purchased your ATV, never had insurance before, or let coverage lapse in the past. Regardless of the reason, every ATV owner should seriously consider getting the coverage this insurance provides.

 

Today’s ATV

 

All-terrain vehicles can have three, four, or even six wheels and are built for off-road use. If you are planning on using your ATV on public roads of any kind, some states require you have certain modifications such as turn signals, windshields, and licensing. Further, some states require you to purchase insurance if you use your ATV on public roads, whether they are paved or not. In these circumstances, purchasing insurance isn’t an option.

Traditionally, all-terrain vehicles only included vehicles that the rider straddled and had three or more wheels. Over time the definition has come to include side-by-side ATVs, which may now be insured under an ATV policy instead of an automobile policy.

Whether ATV owners ride only on private land, insurance is indeed optional. But just as how the ATV has changed over the years, so have the exposures to the uninsured rider. Our society is more litigious than ever, increasing the potential for lawsuits resulting from injury. The ATV itself has changed from a garage hobby of small, single person vehicles to high-powered monsters capable of navigating even the most difficult terrain. And the insurance industry has kept pace with broader and more complete coverage available

Available Coverage

 

Insurance for ATVs is very similar to your automobile policy. Coverage can be obtained for the same exposures you would have when driving a vehicle.

Liability Only Coverage – Basic insurance begins with liability coverage. This provides coverage if you cause bodily injury to another person or damage the property of someone else. No coverage is afforded to your property or bodily injury.

Collision Insurance – If, while using your ATV, you collide with another vehicle, collision insurance will pay to fix or replace your ATV. It is important to note if you collide with an object not defined as a vehicle, this coverage would not respond.

OTC (other-than-collision) Insurance – provides coverage to your ATV for damages resulting from any other cause besides a collision with another vehicle.  OTC would pay for colliding with a tree or damage from a storm. Theft is also included under the OTC portion. Many individuals believe an ATV parked at the house would be covered for theft under their homeowner’s policy, but in almost all instances this is not the case.

Medical Payments – If you are injured while operating your ATV, medical payments can pay for emergency room visits, ambulance services, and other medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – If you’re involved in a collision with a fellow ATV rider who does not have enough, or any insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage would apply.

Special Considerations

Today’s insurance companies have stepped up to the plate and have begun adding new coverage options specific to the ATV market. When considering purchasing ATV insurance, consider the following coverage options:

• Towing
• Helmets
• Accessories
• Custom parts
• Replacement cost
• Roadside assistance

But for all the coverages available to you, it is important there are a few special circumstances where a personal ATV insurance policy would not provide coverage. For one, any use of your ATV for business purposes is specifically excluded. A business owner’s policy can be purchased for ATVs used for the benefit of a corporate entity. Another common exclusion is for any damage or injury caused during a prearranged or organized race.

Discounts

 

Premiums for ATV insurance are typically very low. It is common for ATV insurance to be one-third the cost of a motorcycle policy and more than one-tenth that of automobile insurance. The low-cost leaves very little room for insurance companies to offer many discounts, but there are two potential opportunities to save.

First, a few insurance companies will offer up to a five percent discount on the rates applied to bodily injury, physical damage, medical payment, and collision coverage. However, the safety course must be approved by the insurer and must have been passed within the past three years.

Second, bundling your ATV insurance with your automobile or other coverage may provide premium relief. Discounts for multiple policies would be applied on your other coverages and could be significant depending on your current overall insurance premiums, sometimes upwards of ten percent.

Be Safe

 

Riding ATVs can be a family fun activity this summer. When riding, be sure to take all the necessary precautions and safety measures for you, your family, and your fellow riders. Purchasing insurance should be tops on your list of keeping everyone safe. To learn more about insuring your ATV, contact our team at protectiveagency.com or call (877) 839-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.