Ice vs. Dirt: The Unique Risks Your Snowmobile or ATV Policy Needs to Cover.
Different Terrains, Different Dangers, Different Policies.
While they are both powersports vehicles, a snowmobile and an ATV face very different risks. A snowmobile policy is designed for the risks of winter—ice, frozen lakes, and high-speed trail riding. It will often include specific coverage for things like damage from ice heave. An ATV policy is designed for the risks of the dirt—rolling over on uneven terrain, collisions on trails, and the liability of riding on different types of property. While the core coverages are similar, a specialized policy understands the unique environment of each sport.
The “Off-Season” Lay-Up Credit That Can Save You Money on Both Policies.
Don’t Pay for On-Trail Coverage When Your Toy is in the Garage.
Both snowmobile and ATV insurance policies have a fantastic feature for seasonal riders: the “lay-up” credit. You can tell your insurance company the months that your vehicle will be in storage. During this off-season period, the policy will automatically remove the expensive on-trail coverages like liability and collision, leaving just the basic “comprehensive” protection against fire, theft, or vandalism. This can cut your premium nearly in half for the months you aren’t riding, saving you a significant amount of money.
Trailer Coverage: How to Insure the Trailer You Use to Haul Your Toys.
Your Auto Policy Might Not Cover It.
You likely haul your snowmobile or ATV on a specialized trailer. Don’t assume that your auto insurance policy will cover that trailer if it’s damaged or stolen. You often need to add a specific “Trailer Coverage” endorsement to your powersports policy. For a very low cost, this will insure the trailer itself for its full value, giving you peace of mind while you are towing your expensive toys to and from the trail.
Riding on Public Trails? The Liability Limits You’re Required to Carry.
It’s Not Just a Suggestion; It’s Often the Law.
In many states, if you plan to ride your snowmobile or ATV on state-owned or public trail systems, you are legally required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This is to ensure that if you cause an accident and injure another rider, you have the financial means to pay for their damages. Before you hit the trails, you must check your local regulations and make sure your policy has liability limits that meet or, ideally, exceed these legal requirements.
Custom Equipment Coverage for Your Upgraded ATV Wheels or Snowmobile Track.
Protect Your Performance Parts.
Powersports enthusiasts love to customize their rides. You might add expensive aftermarket wheels and tires to your ATV or a high-performance track and suspension to your snowmobile. A standard policy will only cover the stock vehicle. To protect these expensive upgrades, you must add “Custom Parts & Equipment” (CPE) coverage to your policy. This allows you to declare the extra value of your modifications, ensuring you will be reimbursed for them after a theft or a crash.
Why Homeowners Insurance Will Not Cover an Accident on Your Snowmobile.
The “Motorized Vehicle” Exclusion is a Brick Wall.
A common and dangerous myth is that your homeowners insurance will cover an accident on your own property. This is false. Every homeowners policy has a clear exclusion for liability arising from the use of any “motorized vehicle,” which includes snowmobiles and ATVs. If a guest crashes your ATV in your backyard and gets hurt, your homeowners policy will deny the claim. You absolutely need a separate, dedicated powersports insurance policy for the liability protection.
A Side-by-Side Quote: What Does it Cost to Insure a Polaris RZR vs. a Ski-Doo?
The Price Reflects the Risk and the Season.
I priced out two popular models for a 40-year-old rider.
A new, $25,000 Polaris RZR (ATV) had an annual premium of about $450. The policy is active year-round.
A new, $15,000 Ski-Doo (Snowmobile) had an annual premium of about $350. The policy is often priced with a winter-season focus.
The ATV is often a bit more expensive to insure due to its year-round use and higher rollover risk, while the snowmobile’s risk is concentrated in a shorter season.
Theft is a Huge Risk. Does Your Policy Cover It?
Your Toys are a Target. Make Sure You Have Comprehensive Coverage.
Snowmobiles and ATVs are extremely common targets for thieves. They are easy to load onto a trailer and disappear with. It is absolutely essential that your policy includes “Comprehensive” coverage. This is the part of the policy that protects you against non-accident events, with theft being the most important one. Without comprehensive coverage, if your expensive machine is stolen from your garage or your trailer, you will receive nothing from your insurance company.
Group Riding and Liability: What Happens When Your Friend Crashes Your ATV?
“Permissive Use” is a Key Feature.
The nature of these toys is that you often ride with friends and let them try your machine. A good powersports policy will have “permissive use” coverage, which means your insurance will still protect you if a friend you’ve given permission to ride your vehicle crashes and causes an accident. This is a critical feature that protects you from the actions of others and is a must-have for anyone who rides in a group.
Protecting Your Expensive Toys with a Policy Designed for Them.
It’s a Small Price for a Huge Amount of Fun.
Your snowmobile or ATV is a significant investment, a source of incredible fun and adventure for your family. It deserves to be protected with a real, specialized insurance policy. For a very reasonable annual cost, you can get a policy that protects you from liability lawsuits, covers the cost of damage or theft, and even protects your custom upgrades and your trailer. It is a small price to pay for the peace of mind to go out and enjoy your expensive toys.