Unlike auto insurance, damage coverage is not an automatic inclusion in your policy. What would happen if adverse weather conditions damaged your snowmobile, or if a thief took off in the night with your ride? That’s when this coverage kicks in and helps to cover the costs of fixing the problem.
Keep in mind there are two types of snowmobile insurance which cover damage. “Comprehensive” coverage typically protects you from fire, theft, and damage outside of your control. “All Perils” coverage goes further and includes coverage in collisions. When you’ll be riding hard all season long or travelling by snowmobile in areas where road vehicles also travel, this may be an essential addition.
Aside from these core areas, there are a number of other additions one could make to a policy based on personal preference. For example, some policies will allow you to cover essential riding gear (such as gloves and helmets), while others offer protection against loss of use during travel. If you expect to be adventuring in the backcountry where becoming lost is a risk, you can even add search and rescue coverage to a policy. It all depends on your budget and how proactive you wish to be about managing potential risks.
Why You Need Year-Round Insurance on Your Snowmobile
OK, so you have a basic overview of what can go into a snowmobile insurance policy and what you should consider exploring with a coverage provider. As you start to put out feelers for insurance offers, you may wonder whether or not you can save some cash by purchasing partial coverage. After all, you may only be in the driver’s seat for a few months out of the year. The rest of the time, your vehicle spends its days in storage waiting for the next perfect snowfall. Should you simply purchase insurance for a few months at a time?
The answer is “probably not.” While you may not necessarily need liability insurance all year, you will want to maintain other types of coverage that come part and parcel with your policy. For example, let’s say that you typically store your snowmobile in a shed on your property when not in use. One summer night, a fire starts and the shed burns down as a result. Your snowmobile doesn’t survive. Without the right type of coverage, you will have to shoulder the entire burden of the loss yourself. With insurance on your side, such a scenario is a stressful inconvenience, but not a total disaster.
Likewise, theft can occur at any time. What if someone else borrows your snowmobile to take it out on an excursion somewhere else? You may be responsible for whatever happens while a friend drives your vehicle, too. Forgoing coverage for part of the year may even be against local regulations depending on where you live. Thus the risks often clearly outweigh any of the advantages gained by skipping a few months of coverage every year.
What about the idea that partial coverage can save money? Technically, it may save you a small amount; a full year of coverage will always be a little pricier. However, the difference is often trivial compared to the costs you will face if something happens to your snowmobile during the time in between your policy periods. With no ability to make insurance claims, you will always have to weather the worries of those months. By keeping your insurance current year round, your investment remains safe at all times.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Coverage?
By now, the answer to this question should seem straightforward. There are many potential consequences for not carrying an appropriate level of insurance for your snowmobile, not least of which is potentially running afoul of the law. Operating without insurance is illegal in many jurisdictions and puts you and others around you at unnecessary risk. That is why licensing and safety courses require at least the basic type of policy which covers only a minimum of third-party liability.
Will My Homeowners or Auto Insurance Cover My Snowmobile?
It is a common misconception that other types of insurance you may already carry will provide the necessary coverage in the event of an accident. However, this is not true. Neither homeowner’s insurance nor auto insurance providers will extend their policies to include coverage for property damage, injury, or any loss related to your snowmobile. This is another reason why maintaining year-round coverage is so critical.
Consider the previous example again, but replace the shed with your home’s garage. You may think that because you stored the snowmobile in your home, it will fall under your homeowner’s policy, but in many cases, it will not. In this way, insurance providers treat snowmobiles much the same as they would any road vehicles stored in the garage. Don’t wait for an unpleasant surprise before taking action to safeguard your recreational vehicles.
Even if you choose to select a basic insurance package, extending your coverage limits is worth considering. View it similarly to the way you view your car; it is easy to envision many scenarios in which potential damages far exceed the initial $500,000 liability limit. No one starts out the snowmobiling season with the desire to think about the potential trouble they might face from a lawsuit. The right policy allows you to put those worries away, focusing on having a safe and exciting winter adventure.
Exploring Coverage Options That Suit Your Needs
So how do you find a policy that features the coverage and the limits that make you feel comfortable? Ultimately, the insurance products that go into your policy will be a matter of what suits your situation best, figuring out what that means in real terms can be confusing. Putting together a policy doesn’t have to be a challenge, though; with experienced assistance, finding coverage that is both affordable and comprehensive is a simpler affair.
Make the smart, safe choice by pursuing robust coverage comparable to what you would expect for your car. Purchasing the appropriate protection is simplest when you use our DIY Snowmobile Insurance to purchase your extended coverage online. At Guild Insurance Brokers & HMS Insurance Agencies, our experienced team will review your purchase to make sure the policy fits your risk profile. Our professionals are well-versed in the types of issues snowmobilers face and are always ready to help you locate the ideal option for keeping your recreational vehicle safe and secure year-round. If you click the Buy Online button we will walk you through purchasing snowmobile insurance to get you ready to start the season. If you would rather speak to a broker to help you answer a few questions we are here for you as well, click the Contact Us button below.
