Whether you are using an all-terrain vehicle for pleasure or for chores, there are risks you probably want covered by insurance. Those include injury to the driver and others, damage to property and damage to the ATV itself.
Some homeowners insurance policies provide limited coverage for off-road vehicles, but the amount of insurance might not be sufficient for your needs. Plus there are often quite a few restrictions on what’s covered, such as excluding all use off your insured premises. Here’s what an ATV policy covers so you can ride with confidence.
What personal ATV insurance covers
ATV insurance is a broad term that comprises all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, four-wheelers, side-by-sides, and other off-road vehicles. Sometimes called off-road vehicle insurance, it might even extend to minibikes, trail bikes, snowmobiles, and golf carts. It insures against damage to or loss of the vehicle as well as injuries or property damage done by the vehicle. If you use an ATV in your trade or business be aware that ATV insurance does not cover commercial use and will most likely require a special endorsement to your business commercial insurance policy.
Liability insurance for ATVs and off-road vehicles
Liability insurance is often required by states. It helps you pay for injuries to others or damage to their property if you are found responsible.
Liability insurance might seem unnecessary if you limit use of your vehicle to your own property, but keep in mind that injuries to others resulting from your ATV can still happen on your premises. Run overs, rollovers, runaways, and burns are just a few of the issues you might encounter.
If you use your off-road vehicle for competitions, talk to your insurance agent about specialized coverage for racing or other competitive riding since standard policies may exclude or restrict coverage for such operations.
Medical payments insurance for ATVs and off-road vehicles
Closely related to liability insurance is medical payments insurance. It helps pay for medical bills of injured drivers and passengers of an insured off-road vehicle after an accident. With the cost of emergency medical care, this coverage could save you thousands of dollars in medical fees and preempt a lawsuit from injured parties seeking recovery. This coverage may also apply before personal health insurance must be tapped. Talk to your insurance agent about the fine print in the medical payments section of your ATV insurance, since different insurers and states have different rules.
Property insurance for ATVs and off-road vehicles
There are two elements to ATV property insurance: collision and comprehensive. Both help pay for damages to your off-road vehicle after an accident or harmful event. Collision insurance does what its name suggests: It steps in if you crash into something and damage your vehicle. It can help pay for repairs or a replacement if you have a total loss, and coverage can be upgraded for newer models to pay for full replacement cost without considering depreciation. Collisions can include rollovers or striking another object.
Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damage. That can include theft, vandalism, damage from a garage or brush fire, or being hit by flying debris or a falling tree limb, among other non-collision events.
If you carry contents on your off-road vehicle — maybe for hunting or other sports — those items can be covered under an ATV property damage policy. Some insurance companies also allow you to insure accessories and customizations you make to the vehicle.
Trailering your ATV is an issue to discuss with your insurance agent. It’s possible to add a trailer component to your collision and comprehensive coverage for an extra fee—something that is often recommended since trailering carries substantial risks.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for ATVs and off-road vehicles
If an accident is caused by motorists who don’t have any or enough insurance, an addition to your policy can your financial protection. If someone in this situation damages your off-road vehicle and can’t pay for damages to your vehicle or injuries that you or a passenger sustain, you can look to uninsured motorist coverage for help paying for damages and medical care. It also covers hit-and-run situations.
Be aware of state ATV requirements
Understanding your state’s ATV requirements is important. Most states have a minimum age (generally, 14 years old) to operate an ATV and maximum engine size as it relates to use on public lands. ATV coverage does not carry over to use on a public highway, except for a direct crossing. Further, even if the state does not have minimum requirements, the insurance company may have age and engine size restrictions, which if violated, will void coverage.
Get advice to find ATV coverage
An independent insurance agent who deals with ATV insurance can advise you on many options for insurance tailored to the way you use your off-road vehicle. That might include getting an excess liability insurance policy or adding ATV insurance to your personal umbrella insurance so you have higher dollar amounts of protection for liability costs. It might also include bundling ATV coverage with other policies to save money.
Your agent can help you find numerous ways to qualify for discounts on your premium, including:
- Insuring multiple vehicles or both home and ATVs with the same insurer,
- Using anti-theft devices,
- Storing your ATV in a secured structure,
- Completing a safe-operations course, or
- Demonstrating you are an experienced user.
Locate a specialized insurance agent near you and get advice on insurance and pricing.