You use your Honda Foreman for deer season. You have a $2,000 rifle in the gun boot and a $3,000 thermal scope. You roll the ATV. The ATV is fine, but the rifle stock snaps and the scope is crushed. Does your ATV policy cover the gun?
Key Takeaways
- Firearms are “Personal Property”: They are NOT part of the vehicle. ATV policies usually exclude personal property (guns, bows, binoculars) or have very low limits ($200).
- Homeowners Policy: Your firearms are likely covered by your Homeowners insurance, even if broken away from home.
- The Deductible Trap: If your Homeowners deductible is $2,000, and the gun damage is $2,000, you get $0.
- Specialty Gun Insurance: Dedicated firearms insurance (e.g., Lockton, Collectibles) has $0 deductible and covers accidental damage/drops.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Attached Equipment” vs. “Cargo”
The gun rack (bolted to the ATV) is covered by the ATV policy (CPE).
The gun in the rack is cargo. Auto/ATV policies rarely cover cargo.
The Clause:
“We do not cover damage to personal effects, sporting equipment, or firearms carried on the insured vehicle.”
The Investigation: Where to file the claim?
Scenario: $5,000 in Gun Damage
- ATV Policy: Denied. (Personal Property exclusion).
- Homeowners Policy: Covered (Personal Property Off-Premises).
- Deductible: $1,000.
- Payout: $4,000.
- Risk: Your homeowners rates might go up for filing a claim.
- Gun Floater Policy: Covered.
- Deductible: $0.
- Payout: $5,000.
- Risk: None. Rates don’t affect home insurance.
Comparison Table: Gun Protection
| Policy | Covers Gun Damage? | Deductible | Rate Impact |
| ATV Insurance | No | N/A | N/A |
| Homeowners | Yes | High ($1k+) | High (Risk of cancellation) |
| Specialty Gun Ins. | Yes | Low/None | None |
[IMAGE: Photo of a broken rifle scope and a damaged gun boot on an ATV]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t File Auto Claims for Guns: It’s a waste of time.
- Check Home Deductible: If your deductible is high, don’t rely on homeowners.
- Buy a “Personal Articles Floater”: Add your expensive optics and rifles to a specific schedule on your home policy or a standalone policy. It costs about $1.50 per $100 of value (e.g., $75/year for $5,000 coverage).
- Secure the Rack: Ensure the gun boot is bolted, not bungee-corded. If it falls off, it’s a “drop,” not a “collision.”
FAQ
What if the ammo cooks off in a fire?
Coverage follows the gun rules. But liability for the exploding ammo damaging other things falls under your ATV Liability or Personal Liability.