Is Golf Cart Insurance Worth It?

In recent years, golf carts have become a popular form of transportation.  Golf carts are great for short trips around the neighborhood or simply a Sunday evening cruise. This recreational trend has raised several coverage concerns for golf cart owners including whether or not they need golf cart insurance.

There are currently two types of golf carts available to a consumer.  The unlicensed golf cart is designed to carry up to four people on a golf course and not built to exceed a speed of 25 miles per hour. A licensed golf cart can exceed 25 miles per hour and meets the safety requirements of the state it is licensed in.  

Some people believe that their auto or homeowners policy will automatically cover their unlicensed golf cart in the event of a loss. Most standard homeowner’s insurance carriers provide little to no coverage for golf carts. Your homeowner’s policy may cover you while it is at your residence or on the golf course, but coverage will most likely be null and void on public roads.  If you live in a closed or gated community, you may be able to purchase an endorsement that extends liability while operating on private roads.  An auto policy provides no coverage for an unlicensed golf cart.

Although insurance is not required in the State of Florida for unlicensed golf carts, it may be advantageous to purchase a special lines policy or add by endorsement if that option exists.  Even if your homeowner’s or auto carrier covers the liability on your vehicle, they still may not provide Property or Physical Damage coverage.  Golf cart insurance policies offer Comprehensive, Collision, Liability, and Bodily Injury coverages. There are other endorsements available such as custom part coverage as well.  It’s important to note that even a separate policy would still exclude liability coverage on public roads.

When you purchase a street legal golf cart, you must maintain an auto policy with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to be state compliant.  Failure to do so may result in your driver’s license being suspended.  

As we see more and more golf carts being used, it is important to know you are protected properly.  A good way to verify whether or not you have proper coverage on your golf cart is to speak with a specialty agent.

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