Are you ready to go offroading in Washington state? The Forest Service offers many trails for ATVs, 4X4s and motorcycles within the state. However, before you go, you might want to find out if you need ATV insurance before you trek to the trails.
Legal Requirements for ATV Insurance in Washington State
Washington state does not require ATV owners to purchase insurance for their offroad vehicles. However, if the vehicle is legally able to be driven on the roads and highways, it must have a certain amount of insurance, according to the Department of Licensing. The state minimum insurance requirements for motor vehicles include:
- Bodily Injury for One Person – $25,000
- Bodily Injury for Two People in an Accident – $50,000
- Property Damage – $10,000
Additionally, if you’re riding at an ORV park, they may require that you show proof of insurance before offroading on their property.
Should You get ATV Insurance?
If you own and ride an ATV, you should consider getting an ATV insurance policy. This is because the costs associated with ATV accidents can be extremely expensive. According to a study on pediatric ATV injuries that assessed the medical expenses of 78 patients, the costs ranged from $322 to $310,435. Of course, this study examined the costs of ATV accidents between 2007 and 2009 with the results published in 2017, so we can only assume that the costs have increased. If you choose to ride without an ATV insurance policy, you could be liable for all the associated property damage and injuries.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover ATVs?
Homeowners insurance does not typically cover ATVs. They are usually excluded under a clause that states that motor vehicles are excluded from the policy. Therefore, it’s important to read your policy thoroughly, and if you have questions about your homeowners insurance policy, you should ask your agent for clarification.
ATV Insurance in Spokane, Washington
You can get ATV insurance in Washington state. Typical coverages include:
- Liability – This works similarly to the liability insurance for your car. If you hit another person’s ATV or property with your offroad vehicle and/or injure them, your liability coverage will help pay for their accident-related expenses.
- Collision – If you opt to get collision coverage for your ATV, it will help pay for the damage to your vehicle if you’re in an accident.
- Comprehensive – Comprehensive ATV coverage helps pay for damage to your ATV or off-road vehicle that wasn’t caused while you were operating it. It usually covers vandalism, fire and theft.
- Medical Payments – This coverage helps pay for any medical expenses that are related to your ATV accident.
- Accessory Coverage – If you’ve added certain accessories to your ATV, this coverage helps replace them if you get into an accident.
- Offroad Roadside Assistance – If your ATV breaks down on an offroad trail, this coverage can help pay for an off-road recovery team.
How to Save Money on Your ATV Insurance
If you’re worried about the cost of your ATV insurance in Spokane, Washington, you may be pleased to know that there are ways to lower its cost. The first way is to make sure your deductible is the correct amount. Higher deductibles can lower your monthly premiums. However, you want to make sure it’s affordable for your budget.
- Multi-Policy Discounts – If you have more than one policy with the same insurance carrier, they’ll often offer you a multi-policy discount.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – If you have more than one vehicle insured with the insurance company, you may be eligible for a multi-vehicle discount. Your vehicles can include cars, trucks, vans, ATVs, RVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles.
- Join a Riding Association – If you’re not part of a national ATV riding association, consider joining. Riding associations often offer seminars and information on how to offroad safely, and joining one could help lower your premiums.
- Take a Safety Course – Consider taking an ATV or off-road safety course. Riders who participate in safety courses can often get discounts on their ATV insurance.
- Install a Theft Recovery Device – Consider installing a theft recovery device. This can help locate your ATV if someone steals it, and insurance carriers often provide discounts if the vehicle has anti-theft technology.
- Shop Around – Don’t be afraid to shop around for ATV insurance. Different carriers often have different metrics for determining the costs associated with various policies. Of course, instead of searching each carrier individually, you could choose an independent insurance broker, like those at Boyd Insurance Brokerage Inc. By letting an independent agent research policies, you’ll save time and money.
ATV Insurance with Boyd Insurance Brokerage Inc. in Spokane, Washington
At Boyd Insurance Brokerage Inc., we have the ability to parse through hundreds of different ATV policies in order to find one that meets your coverage requirements and your budget. We can also help you get homeowners insurance, commercial and personal car insurance and even business insurance.
To learn more about our ATV insurance policies and to get a quote, give us a call at 509-340-2693.
