You parked your ATV in tall, dry grass to take a break. The hot catalytic converter ignited the grass. The fire spread. It burned 50 acres of private timber and state land. You are now holding a bill from the State Department of Forestry for “Fire Suppression Costs” totaling $250,000.
Key Takeaways
- Property Damage Liability: This covers damage you do to others’ property.
- The Limit Problem: Most ATV policies default to $10k or $25k Property Damage liability. That pays for a mailbox, not a forest.
- Government bills are real: States aggressively bill individuals for starting wildfires.
- Spark Arrestors: If you removed your spark arrestor (for “more power”), the insurer might deny the claim based on “Illegal Equipment” or “Negligence.”
The “Why” (The Trap): Low Limits vs. High Consequences
People think “Property Damage” means hitting a parked car. In off-roading, it means environmental damage.
The Trap: A $25,000 limit is instantly exhausted when a helicopter drops water on a fire. You are personally liable for the remaining $225,000.
The Investigation: Assessing the Risk
I checked with a forestry official.
- Cost: “A single air tanker drop costs $15,000. A crew of 20 firefighters costs $10,000 a day.”
- Insurance: “We sue the individual. If their insurance caps out, we garnish wages and place liens on property.”
Comparison Table: Fire Liability
| Policy Limit | Fire Cost | You Pay |
| $25,000 | $250,000 | $225,000 (Bankruptcy level) |
| $100,000 | $250,000 | $150,000 |
| Umbrella ($1M) | $250,000 | $0 |
[IMAGE: Photo of a burnt UTV carcass surrounded by scorched earth]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy an Umbrella Policy: For $200/year, you can get $1 Million in liability that sits on top of your ATV policy. It is the cheapest protection against bankruptcy.
- Keep the Spark Arrestor: Never remove it. It voids warranty and endangers coverage.
- Carry an Extinguisher: A $40 mountable fire extinguisher can stop the fire in the first 30 seconds.
- Check “Fire Suppression” Coverage: Some Foremost/Markel policies have a specific line item for “Fire Department Service Charge” (usually $1,000, which helps with the call-out fee).
FAQ
Does my policy cover the trees?
Yes, trees are “Third Party Property.” But usually valued at timber value, which can be high.