Do I Need Insurance for my ATV?

There are at least two answers for this question. The short answer could be ‘No.’ You’ll need to check the laws in your locale. Because all-terrain vehicles, also known as quads or quad bikes, generally aren’t street legal in the U.S. without modifications, you might not have to insure them. But that might not be the wise answer to this question.

Think about it. Even if you weren’t required legally to have liability coverage on your car, you wouldn’t take to the roads in it without insurance, for a lot of reasons. For one, even if you trust your own driving, do you really trust the other motorists on the highway? You know, the same ones you call morons and shake your fist at when they do something stupid.

So even though you aren’t required to carry ATV insurance, you know you’ll rest easier if you do. Following are some things you should consider in your search for coverage:

• Where can I get ATV insurance? Start with your auto insurance carrier. Many providers also offer ATV coverage, and you’ll usually get a price break for buying more than one policy from an insurer. One tip: If you’re looking online, ATV coverage sometimes is lumped in with motorcycles. There also are specialty ATV insurers, so check them out, too.
• How much will it cost? That depends on what kind of ATV you have and how you plan to use it. If you have a utility ATV and plan to use it for work, you’ll pay less than you will for a 4×4 model, which, because it can go anywhere, carries more risk. Sport ATVs fall somewhere in between, because they are used mostly on tracks and trails, where the risk is more controlled.
• So how much will it cost? That depends on your driving history. If you have lots of accidents, tickets and claims, resulting in high car insurance rates, you can expect high premiums for you ATV coverage. Other factors that determine your rates include your credit rating and location.
• What types of coverage are available? The types are similar to auto insurance and include liability insurance, collision and comprehensive. You also could buy property damage ATV insurance in case you damage someone else’s land or belongings.
• Does my home insurance coverage my ATV when it’s parked there? It depends. If your ATV is parked in a garage or another building covered by your home insurance policy, it could be covered if it is stolen, vandalized or destroyed in a fire. However, if it is parked in the back yard, it likely would not be covered. Check with your agent.

Once you decide to purchase ATV insurance, treat it like any other insurance purchase. Shop around, and get the best combination of price, coverage and customer service. The cheapest coverage isn’t always the right coverage.

Source: AutoInsurance