McKinneyOlson Insurance advises insuring your snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), side-by-side, golf cart, dirt bike, or any other vehicle.
The reasons why recreational vehicle insurance is just as important as home and car insurance.
Insurance Covers You When You’re Liable for Damages
Over 10,000 people are injured each year because of snowmobile accidents. More than 10 times that many are injured annually because of ATVs. Many of those injuries are sustained by passengers, although bystanders often fall victim to OTV accidents as well. If anyone is injured because of an OTV operator’s negligence – which can constitute failing to maintain control over the vehicle – then they may file a successful personal injury claim.
In South Dakota, the average car accident settlement for severe injuries is $235,006. Your ATV or snowmobile is quite capable of causing severe injury as well, which is why you want the same liability coverage you would purchase for your car or truck.
Insurance Protects Your Investment
Car theft is increasing in the United States. Unfortunately, OTV theft appears to be included in that national trend. More than twice as many snowmobiles were stolen in 2018 than in the previous year, and the top three states for snowmobile theft are all in the Midwest. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, less than half of stolen snowmobiles are returned to their owners.
Never leave the key in an unattended OTV. Don’t park it on a high snowbank or embankment where it’s easy to push into a truck bed. Chain it to a tree or other OTV overnight, or secure it indoors if possible.
Insurance Is Required by Law
You can own a car in South Dakota without buying car insurance. But there’s a catch: if you want to drive your car on public roadways, then you are required to insure it.
Snowmobiles aren’t exempt from insurance requirements. State law requires snowmobilers who operate in road rights-of-way to show proof of liability insurance.
ATVs aren’t exempt, either. If you operate yours on a road, state law requires you to be able to show proof of insurance. The same is true if you want to explore any of South Dakota’s state parks.
We welcome you to contact McKinneyOlson Insurance in Sioux Falls, SD today. We’ll make sure you have the best coverage of recreational vehicle insurance.