Insurance For Your ATV: What Does it Cover?
By Dermound Becker
Special to USInsurance.com
When it comes to ATV insurance, there is no set amount of
coverage that a company has to offer. An ATV is considered a recreational
vehicle, but is also very different from a normal road vehicle such as a car.
Every insurance company
will most likely have its own policy, as well as differing views on what should
be covered by that policy.
ATV insurance usually covers the vehicle whether it is on the road or off,
meaning that it is always covered, essentially. As it is a recreational vehicle,
it is eligible for the same coverage that any vehicle of that type would get,
such as a golf cart, dune buggy, dirt bike or snowmobile. Typically, you will
have to choose whether you want to insure the vehicle for only damage to the
vehicle itself, or for damage to the rider or other persons involved as well.
If there are any other vehicles involved in an accident, whether recreational
or not, those vehicles are typically covered as well. Again, every company has
its own policy, so be sure to check with your insurance
provider to see what specific details will be covered and what won't be.
This way you don't get a surprise when you find a particular aspect isn't
covered by your policy in the event of an accident.
A good coverage policy might even cover extraneous circumstances. If, for
example, your ATV breaks down a long way from home your policy may very well
cover any transportation or lodging that you need. Depending on where you go,
ATV insurance will encompass different things. With a full insurance policy,
you will never have to worry about paying large sums of money if anything goes
wrong.
Even though ATVs are considered possessions by some companies, typical
homeowner's insurance usually won't cover the ATV all by itself. If your ATV is
stolen from your property but your homeowner's insurance policy doesn't cover
it, you will be liable for the theft. That's why it's always a good idea to take
out a separate policy for any recreational vehicles you own. They are expensive
and a good policy will allow you to enjoy them worry-free.
Again, though, every company is different, so if you can find a homeowner's
policy that will cover your recreational vehicles, you won't have to pay
extra for two separate policies; adding the extra coverage onto the existing
policy could be much cheaper in the long run. Most companies will not allow you
to do this, however, so you should look into companies that provide the most
comprehensive coverage available.
Shopping around for ATV insurance may seem like a hassle, but it will be more
than worth it if anything unfortunate happens to your ATV. There is always the
possibility of theft or accidents, so being fully covered is never a bad idea.
Always carefully review the insurance policy so that you know exactly what is
covered, and if you find that the coverage isn't entirely adequate, you'll still
be able to find a better policy with a different insurance company.
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