If you have an ATV, UTV, go-kart, golf cart, or other off-road or light vehicle, you need to carry insurance on it. Even when it’s not required by law or local regulations, you don’t want to be left without coverage if someone gets hurt.
Does Arizona Require Insurance for ATVs and UTVs?
Arizona has various registration and titling requirements for ATVs and UTVs based on weight and type. No state law generally requires carrying insurance for your ATV or UTV. However, there may still be situations where you’re required to have insurance. Additionally, not being required to buy separate insurance doesn’t mean that your existing insurance will apply or that having insurance isn’t a good idea.
Where Are You Required to Have Insurance for your ATV or UTV?
As a general rule, Arizona parks that allow you to operate an ATV or UTV have regulations requiring you to carry at least liability insurance. Failing to have insurance in a public park could result in a citation or impoundment of your ATV or UTV.
Privately-owned lands that are open to the public also typically have insurance requirements. These don’t carry the weight of law, but you may be asked for proof of insurance before you enter, and you can be ejected if you don’t have insurance.
If you live in a housing development where it’s common for homeowners to travel around the community in golf carts, ATVs, or UTVs, your homeowners’ association bylaws and regulations will often have an insurance requirement.
Does Your Car Insurance Policy Cover ATVs or UTVs?
Your car insurance policy generally won’t cover an ATV or UTV. Even though it will often apply when you’re renting or borrowing a car, there are several exclusions ATVs or UTVs may fall under. These can include restrictions on the type of vehicle that can be insured or on insuring a vehicle you have regular access to but didn’t include in your policy.
Does Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy Cover ATVs or UTVs?
There is a small chance your homeowners’ insurance policy may provide a small amount of protection. Generally, homeowners’ insurance policies exclude almost anything involving a vehicle. However, there’s a chance, especially for a utility vehicle that you only use to do work around your property, that an accident may fall under your general liability coverage. You may also have some damage protection under your personal property coverage while your ATV or UTV is parked, but damage for collisions will probably not be covered.
What Types of Insurance Coverage Are Available for an ATV or UTV?
You have several coverage options for an ATV or UTV. These are similar to car insurance coverages, and they’re often bundled into a single policy. Depending on the options you choose, each coverage may have its own limits and/or deductible.
- Bodily injury liability protects you if you cause an accident with another vehicle or run into someone resulting in them getting hurt. It doesn’t cover your own medical bills.
- Property damage liability covers damage you cause in an accident with another vehicle or when crashing into a stationary object. It doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle.
- Collision coverage is what covers your own repair bills if you’re in an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage covers other types of repairs and losses such as theft, fire, or falling trees.
- Medical payments coverage pays for your own medical bills following an accident. Depending on your health insurance coverage, this coverage may be redundant or could help with your deductible and exclusions in your primary health insurance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection gives you the same protection as your liability policies would give to others in case a driver who either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance causes an accident that leaves you injured or damages your own vehicle.
What Types of Incidents Do ATV and UTV Insurance Policies Cover?
When you buy an ATV or UTV policy, you need to look at more than just the types of coverage and policy limits. How you use your vehicle also matters. For example, some policies may exclude off-road use, which could be fine if you’re buying a vehicle to get around your retirement community instead of to drive through forest trails. Other policies may exclude racing, and if you’re interested in legal racing, you’d need to find a different policy.
Always check to see if your specific uses will be covered when buying insurance, and double check your policy if you later decide to use your ATV or UTV for something else.
How Do You File an ATV or UTV Insurance Claim?
The ATV or UTV insurance claims process is similar to other types of insurance. Simply notify your insurance company as soon as possible and no later than the deadline stated in your policy. It can be helpful to take photos of any damage to submit with your claim. If you were in an accident with another vehicle or where someone was injured, you should also file a police report.
Ask Your Insurance Agent for More Information
Since there are so many different types of ATVs and UTVs as well as ways to use them, there are many different types of insurance policies available. Sometimes, it may make sense to bundle with your other insurance policies, and sometimes it’s better to get a separate policy.
If you’re near Eloy, AZ, Guidotti Insurance can help you figure out what’s best for you. Contact us now to learn more or to request a quote.
