ATV Insurance

Nothing beats riding an ATV trail:  challenging your skills or just riding hellbent for leather on flat ground. There is something about the freedom that an ATV offers that seems to make food taste better and friends seem closer.

Unfortunately, ATV accidents are common. Depending on the terrain, rollovers, tipping, and flipping your ATV is a very real possibility at any moment. That means repairs and potential injuries, either of which can be too expensive for you to afford out-of-pocket. That is where ATV insurance can come in handy. Let’s have a look at whether or not ATV insurance is required, how much it may cost, and what types of coverages you may need.

Is ATV Insurance Required

Few states require ATV insurance for riders who stay on private property. On the other hand, if you want to ride on public lands or roads, you will need to have insurance coverage in nearly every state. Most companies that rent time on their trails also require that your ATV be covered. Every state has a minimum liability policy amount that you must carry when on public roads or lands. That amount varies by state. The minimum coverage may be higher if you use your ATV for commercial purposes.

Even if you never ride on public land, you should consider having ATV coverage. If there is an accident on your property, there may be property damage, damage to the four-wheeler, and the operator and passenger could be injured. Your homeowner’s policy may not cover any of this. As the owner of the ATV, you could be held responsible for all of those expenses and face possible litigation.

What an ATV Insurance Policy Should Cover

It is difficult to list the exact coverage every insurance company offers under its ATV policy group, but the following coverages are generally offered:

• Collision covers damage if you happen hit or get hit by another vehicle or other object. If you have a loan against your ATV, this coverage may be required by your lender.
• Property damage covers a range of damages that you may cause to someone else’s property. It may also help with any legal defense that becomes necessary after causing said damage.
• Bodily injury covers a wide variety of damages should you injure or kill someone while operating your ATV. This policy also offers some legal defense funding if litigation arises from the injuries or death.
• Comprehensive covers loss from theft, fire or vandalism. This protection is especially important because ATVs have a high theft rate across the United States. In many cases, this coverage is limited to damage that affects the structure and/or safe operation of your ride. If you have a lien against your ATV, this coverage may be required.
• Medical payments:  this coverage offers payments toward deductibles from other insurance policies, medial bills, etc and covers you and family members. Payments are made whether you are at fault in an accident or not.
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorists:  this policy kicks in if you are involved in an accident with a registered vehicle with no insurance or limits that are lower than yours. The accident must occur on a public road or highway and the other vehicle must be designed to be insured in addition to being required to be registered. The need for this coverage is driven home by the fact that up to 28 percent of the drivers in some states are uninsured according to federal statistics.

How Expensive is ATV Insurance?

Most ATV owners can expect to pay less than $300 a year for ATV insurance; however, the only way to get an accurate premium quote is to contact an insurance company. There are many factors that will affect the cost of an individual policy. These factors can include:

• You age and driving record.
• The make, model, and year of your ATV.
• Your riding habits.
• How the ATV is stored when not being ridden.
• The limits and coverage types you select.
• The deductibles you select.

To be sure you are paying the lowest possible premium, you should get quotes from several companies. That is why we have created an easy-to-use tool that allows you to enter your rider and ATV information once and receive quotes from reliable companies like Progressive, Dairyland, and Geico. You can follow this link to get your free, instant, no obligation quotes.