ATV Insurance Claims

When you're out four-wheeling on your quad bike or riding up a steep trail on your 3-wheeler, filing an insurance claim may be the furthest thing from your mind. Whether you collide with another ATV, get stuck in a muddy river, or overturn your all-terrain vehicle on a steep mountain trail, you’ll need to know when and how to file a claim. It's a good idea to be familiar with the particular circumstances in which you may need to file a claim through your ATV insurance policy and how the claim process works. 

Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can assist you with filing ATV insurance claims. They can also help you get set up with coverage if you're still in need. But first, here's a guide to a hassle-free ATV insurance claim process.

What Does ATV Insurance Cover?

ATV owners typically need to get a separate insurance policy to cover their all-terrain vehicles since homeowners insurance and renters insurance aren't likely to include coverage. Especially if you drive your ATV or UTV off your property, count on needing an ATV insurance policy. 

A standard ATV insurance policy typically includes the following types of coverage:

• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your ATV from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your ATV due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. 
• Liability coverage: This covers third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage caused by your ATV and can provide reimbursement for medical bills, property repairs, and lawsuit expenses if you are sued.
• Medical payments coverage: This can pay for doctor or hospital visits and required medical care for you and your passengers if injuries occur in an ATV accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage: This can reimburse you for expenses if you get into an accident with someone who doesn't carry adequate insurance of their own to reimburse you.

An independent insurance agent can help you assemble a complete ATV insurance policy. You might also be able to get the coverage you need for your ATV or UTV from a motorcycle insurance policy. If you own a moped or motorcycle, ask your independent insurance agent if you can extend coverage to your ATV or UTV.

Types of ATV Insurance Claims

When something goes wrong on your ATV, your insurance can be a major help. If you collide with another ATV driver, depending on who is at fault, your collision, medical payments, or liability coverage could reimburse you.  If a vehicle is stolen or damaged by a cause other than a collision, your ATV insurance claim would fall under the comprehensive portion of your policy. 

If you're in an accident caused by another driver who isn't insured or doesn't have enough insurance to pay for the damage and your medical costs, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage could reimburse you for the expenses. 

Further, if you or another rider on your ATV gets injured in an accident after hitting a rock or another object, your medical payments coverage could pay for necessary treatments. If you don't have medical payments coverage, you may be able to get reimbursed for doctor and hospital appointments from your health insurance.

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How to Prepare to File ATV Insurance Claims

Any ATV insurance policyholder must be prepared to file a claim if the time comes. Use the following handy checklist to ensure you have everything you need in case of an accident or an injury out on the trails. The items you should have on hand include:

• A first aid kit to provide help to anyone who is injured.
• A charged cell phone so you can call for towing or emergency help.
• Contact information for your independent insurance agent in a waterproof bag.
• Your insurance policy information, which can be found on your insurance card.

Knowing what to have on hand before an incident ever occurs can help you save time and effort should you need to file a claim.

What to Do After an Off-Road Vehicle Accident

Unfortunately, ATV and UTV accidents can sometimes happen. However, if you know what steps to take after an accident, you can streamline the process of getting everything back on track and filing an insurance claim. If you're in an accident out on the trail, there are a few important steps to take:

1. Report any injuries: Your immediate priority after an accident is ensuring no one is hurt. If someone is injured, call the paramedics immediately.
2. Call the police: If there are injuries or more than one vehicle is involved, ensure that a police report is filed directly from the scene. Make sure you get a copy of the police report or the police report number.
3. Stick to the facts: If you're in an accident with another vehicle, don't blame them for the crash or admit fault. There are many factors in accidents, and it's up to the authorities and the insurance companies to determine the cause.
4. Document what happened: Take pictures of the damage to your ATV. Include photos of trail markers and the scene of the accident. If another vehicle is involved, be thorough in photographing and recording the damage to that vehicle as well.
5. Record pertinent information for everyone involved: If you have a cell phone with a camera, take clear pictures of their licenses or cards instead of writing them down. This will prevent errors and deter insurance fraud. Be sure to gather contact information for everyone involved in the accident as well.
6. Call your independent insurance agent: Your next call should be to your independent insurance agent. Some of the things you need to report to your agent include:
   • What happened
   • Whether anyone was injured
   • The location and condition of your ATV
   • The contact information of others involved in the accident

Your independent insurance agent can initiate the ATV insurance claims process for you. They'll keep you updated every step of the way and let you know when you can expect to receive reimbursement.

What to Do After ATV Theft or Vandalism

If your ATV is stolen or vandalized, make a list of the things that were taken or damaged. If possible, make copies of the receipts for those items to show their value. 

If your quad bike or 3-wheeler is damaged, take pictures of the damage and provide these to your agent, along with any information you have about what happened. Be as detailed as possible. Give your agent copies of the photos and police reports.

How Do ATV Insurance Claims Work?

Your independent insurance agent will use the information you provide to file ATV insurance claims for those on your policy that were in the accident and to work with the other party’s insurance company if another person was involved. 

Your agent will schedule a visit from a claims adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle. The adjuster will determine the cost to repair your ATV. If the cost of repairs exceeds the pre-accident value of the ATV, the vehicle will be considered a total loss.

After the adjuster has made an assessment, your insurance company will review your policy coverage. At this point, your agent will let you know the amount of the settlement. They'll provide you with an ETA of when your claims check will be sent.

Why an ATV Insurance Claim May Be Denied

Claims can be denied for a number of reasons, but the most common reason is a lack of coverage or insufficient coverage. For example, if you purchase liability-only coverage, you will not be able to file a comprehensive or collision claim if your off-road vehicle is stolen, vandalized, or physically damaged in an accident. 

Before you get on your ATV, know what your policy covers and what its exclusions are. State minimum coverage requirements, where applicable, aren't likely to provide enough coverage for many of the potential claims you may file. Consider enhancing your policy to include an adequate amount of liability insurance to cover damage to another person or property.

If you try to claim your ATV through a personal auto insurance policy, it's also likely to be denied. Many people mistakenly believe all their vehicles are protected under their car insurance policy, but you must insure quads and 3-wheelers separately. However, it's often possible to insure your ATV under a motorcycle insurance policy as long as you've listed it.

How to Spot and Report Fraud

Insurance fraud is another common reason for denied claims. When you file an ATV insurance claim, make sure to report any damage and injuries accurately along with the cause of the incident. The better your report, the better your chances are of having your claim approved, provided you have sufficient coverage under your policy.

Fraudulent claims occur when an insured person stages an accident or theft, falsifies losses, or exaggerates damage. If you collide with another vehicle, it's important to photograph the damage to both vehicles. This can help prevent an exaggerated claim regarding the amount of damage.

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Why Is ATV Insurance So Expensive?

ATV insurance costs may be higher than you expect due to a number of different factors. The high risk of ATV and UTV accidents can lead to higher premium rates, even if you've never filed a claim before. 

Further, the potential for all-terrain vehicle theft and the high cost of possible repairs can lead to high premium rates. Your independent insurance agent can help you find affordable ATV insurance near you.

Here's How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies, so they're free to shop and compare ATV insurance quotes and policy options for you. They can help you find the policy that offers the best blend of coverage and cost. Your agent can also file ATV insurance claims directly for you through your insurance carrier and keep you updated through every step of the claims process.