3 min read

Insure Your Outdoor Toys

Jun 22, 2015 6:30:00 AM

Insure_Your_Outdoor_ToysATVs, dirt bikes, golf carts, and snowmobiles make for pretty exciting outdoor fun. But without proper protection your off-roading adventures may lead to off the chart expenses.

Coverage Considerations

Policies for these types of vehicles can differ significantly from insurance carrier to carrier and state to state. Therefore it is important to talk with your insurance advisor about your specific toys and how you plan to use them.

Do you intending on only driving these vehicles on your property? Most likely not. You purchased the golf cart with the intent of driving around the neighborhood, or the ATV to go off-roading on local trails, not just on your property. Because of this, it is critical to have both on and off premises liability coverage. This coverage is not automatically included on your policy – do not overlook it!

Let’s consider a couple examples of where not having off premises liability can lead to hefty out of pocket expenses:

Friends invite you to try out the dirt bike trails at a nearby recreational area. Seems like a great time, but the moment you start riding your dirt bike on those trails you are exposing yourself to significant risk. Without off premises liability coverage, any damage occurring while on those trails will NOT be covered by your policy and you will be left to pay out of pocket.
 

As with a car, if you let someone borrow your ATV or other recreational toy, they drive it off of your property and get injured, they could sue you for damages. You would not have proper liability coverage and would be forced to pay out of pocket.

What else should you consider when thinking about your coverage?

  • Is your outdoor toy registered? Some states require registration of vehicles such as golf carts.
  • As a general rule, any type of racing involving an ATV, dirt bike, or similar is considered an exclusion on your policy. If you do intend on racing, then be sure to talk with your advisor to find a carrier and policy that will cover such activities.

Be Safe

In order to avoid hazards, it is important to understand your recreational vehicle and techniques for safe riding. The following are a few resources to consider:

Where To Ride?

Looking for a place to enjoy your toy? Take a look at the resources provided by your state or the state you wish to ride in. The information can often be found on the state’s Department of Natural Resources website. For example, click here for details on off-roading in Indiana and here for Michigan. But remember, before enjoying these recreational areas, be sure you have off premises liability coverage.

Don’t open yourself up to significant exposures. Before hitting the dirt or snow with your outdoor toys, take time to discuss with your insurance advisor and make sure you are protected. 

 

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Written by Gibson

Gibson is a team of risk management and employee benefits professionals with a passion for helping leaders look beyond what others see and get to the proactive side of insurance. As an employee-owned company, Gibson is driven by close relationships with their clients, employees, and the communities they serve. The first Gibson office opened in 1933 in Northern Indiana, and as the company’s reach grew, so did their team. Today, Gibson serves clients across the country from offices in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Utah.