It’s always a good idea to be insured with ATV/UTV liability insurance when using public ways with any such vehicle. In Maine, you are not required to carry ATV/UTV insurance nor to have a license to operate an ATV. However, if you will be traveling with your ATV on public ways it advisable to at least carry liability insurance. Also, Maine does require that your ATV be registered if you will be operating it off your property. Generally, ATV’s are covered under motorcycle insurance. In this article we will review ATV insurance and how best to insure your ATV.
Primary ATV Insurance Coverages
The primary type of insurance most ATV owners are searching for is liability insurance coverage. This coverage has two parts including bodily injury liability insurance coverage and property damage liability coverage.
Bodily injury liability coverage pays if someone besides yourself or your passenger are injured or killed with your ATV. The limits for this coverage are generally a limit per person and per accident. For example, $50,000/$100,000 policy will pay $50,000 per person up to a total of $100,000 per accident in total.
Property damage liability coverage pays for property damage done by an ATV driver. This includes damage to another’s home, vehicle, yard or belongings. If your policy limit is $25,000.00 that is the overall limit that your policy would pay per incident.
Other Optional Insurance Coverages
Medical payments/personal injury coverage protection pays medical expenses incurred for those riding your ATV. This will cover surgeries, medical stays and much more up to a specified limit.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage covers you and/or a rider when another causes injury but has no insurance or not enough insurance. Also, if the party causing the injury has an insufficient amount of insurance this coverage will apply. This coverage will also have claims limits per individual and per incident.
Collision insurance covers damage to your ATV due to a collision or if you overturn. The insurance company will cover the value of your ATV less the deductible.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage not caused by an accident with another vehicle. This coverage would include loss due to fire, vandalism, theft and other causes. It would pay the actual cash value less the deductible.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s important to note that ATV/UTV coverage is not included in homeowners insurance. This is because homeowners insurance is for property damage and does not include other vehicles such as motorcycles and boats.
Basic bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverages are very affordable and recommended if you will be riding off of your property.
Whether you purchase collision or comprehensive insurance will likely depend on the value and age of your ATV.
Contact your FAPCO agent to learn more about ATV/UTV insurance and what coverage(s) is best in your situation.