Spring Insurance Tips for Sporting Vehicle Owners
The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, and it’s time to back the RV, dirt bike, golf cart or ATV out of the garage. Spring is prime time to purchase Florida sporting vehicle (also called specialty vehicle) insurance. Before you head out for adventure, opt for the safety net insurance provides.
Not sure where to begin or whether a policy is necessary? Here are some details to consider:
Insurance for Golf Carts
Zipping through neighborhoods on a golf cart is one of the highlights of being a Floridian. However, that Caddyshack-themed cart absolutely needs to be insured if it meets the following criteria: Use of said cart could cause damage to another person or that person’s property. Your homeowners’ policy may extend liability while it’s on your “insured location,” however, unless you expect to keep it in the garage indefinitely, you are likely going to need to add a golf cart policy with your Florida homeowners insurance.
On another note, if the cart is “street legal,” don’t forget a license plate. An auto policy (including personal injury protection) is required by law as well.
Recreational Vehicles
Driving a recreational vehicle (also known as RV or travel tank) is in itself a huge accomplishment: there’s just so much more to keep inside the lane lines than a standard automobile chassis. Why add any additional worry to a travel itinerary? From backing into your favorite camping site to unexpected storm damage, it’s smart to fully insure your Florida motorhome against collision, theft, bodily injury, and fire. A good RV insurance policy won’t give you the ability to drive straighter – but it will offer peace of mind as a buffer against other hazards.
Dirt Bikes and ATVs
For drivers of dirt bikes and ATVs, insurance is more than a securely fitted helmet. We know you understand this, but we’ll say it again: these vehicles can be dangerous. Insuring them just makes sense. The amount of coverage is up for discussion, but some protection is imperative. With offerings of collision, property damage, bodily injury, comprehensive, medical payments and uninsured motorist protection, you can choose the plan that works best for you and your family.
And yes, you should still wear a helmet.
Sporting Vehicle Insurance Coverage Types
You’ve heard most of these terms before during your quest for automobile coverage, but here’s a quick reminder of what insurance covers for sporting vehicles. These are all aspects of sporting vehicle insurance that can be personalized and bundled to fit your needs.
Collision. Reimburses you for damage sustained to your personal automobile, if you cause an accident.
Property Damage Liability. Covers you for any financial liability that occurs should you be involved in an accident and cause damage to someone else’s property.
Comprehensive Physical Damage. This general term includes collision insurance as well as your choice of full comprehensive insurance or the more limited fire and theft with combined additional coverage (CAC) insurance.
Liability. Protects you from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP). An extension of car insurance that covers medical expenses and, in many cases, lost wages.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. Protects you if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t carry liability insurance or whose liability limits are too low to cover the damage or medical expenses
Medical Payments Coverage. Pays medical expenses for you and/or your passengers if you’re injured in a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident.
Towing. Pays the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair shop when it is unable to be driven and covers a specified amount of necessary labor charges at the place of the breakdown.
Gap. Protects against losses that can arise when the amount of compensation received from a total loss does not fully cover the amount you owe on the vehicle’s financing or lease agreement.
Go forth this spring and enjoy those specialty vehicles. With the right insurance coverage in place, you’ll feel the freedom to let loose. To discuss the best plan for your favorite toys, contact one of our W3 agents today.