While summer and its many activities are coming to a close, there are other types of activities, like riding ATVs, that provide excitement and fun year-round. As is the case in most other activities, having the right precautions in place, such as ATV insurance, and a solid basic knowledge of the sport is worth it to make the time spent outdoors even better.
ATV Basics
An all-terrain vehicle, ATV, is a single-operator vehicle that has a seat the operator straddles, handlebars for steering, and uses low-pressure tires. This description was set by the American National Standards Institute, which works to make sure the best standards and accreditations exist in a variety of sectors to enhance both physical and economic safety.
ATVs are operated much like motorcycles, but the vehicles are slower and have more than two wheels, contributing to a higher level of safety and stability. The four-wheeled ATVs are usually called quads, four-wheelers, or ATVs, and the three-wheeled versions are often called three-wheelers.
ATVs are primarily used recreationally. Many individuals and families choose to use them for driving over rough, uneven terrain when they are available. These vehicles can provide hours of fun exploring new places, getting through normally impassable areas, and spending personal time with family and friends.
Other individuals may use them for hunting and camping, as they make it easier to transport supplies while in the woods, as well as to access hard-to-reach locations. To make the transporting even more efficient, aftermarket companies have designed trailers that can hold hundreds of pounds of equipment.
Still other individuals have found even more practical uses for an ATV, including:
- Field plowing, raking and mowing.
- Snow plowing.
- Seed, salt, or rock spreading.
- Material hauling.
If you haven’t purchased your ATV yet, make sure that your vehicle comes with a title and bill of sale. This is one safeguard to ensure the vehicle you are purchasing isn’t a stolen piece of property.
ATV Insurance: Protect Your Investment
Motorcycle insurance is a specialized policy designed to give riders the best possible coverage for their bikes. At Marine Agency, motorcycle insurance is just one specialty auto insurance policy that is offered. Other policies cover all-terrain vehicles, giving you an even greater peace of mind.
Nationwide, it is a requirement to carry current insurance for all types of motorcycles if you own one. Applying the same protection to your ATV offers you peace of mind that is well worth the cost.
What Does ATV Insurance Cover?
- Any liabilities as a result of an accident or damage to someone else’s property.
- Any repairs or replacements to your vehicle.
- Theft of your vehicle or repairs needed due to vandalism.
Other Insurance for ATV Requirements
ATVs are vehicles. Because of this, law dictates that owners follow a set of policies and procedures. As the vehicles don’t fit within the federal highway safety regulations, each state regulates ATV use and operation. This has resulted in a wide variety of state-to-state rules.
In general, riders must be at least 16 years old and have passed an ATV safety course to be able to operate the vehicle unsupervised. Upon successful completion of the course, riders receive a safety education certificate.
In many states, riders can operate an ATV at younger ages, usually between 10 and 12 years old, but must be supervised by an adult who, in most states, must have a safety certificate.
ATVs were designed to be operated off-road, and as such aren’t meant to be driven on highways or other public streets or roads. As a result, ATV operators must have a valid driver’s license when on the street. Even merely crossing a street in most states requires the operator to have a driver’s license.
Other rules specify the safety and protective gear required for riding, which includes helmets, eye protection, long sleeves and pants, boots, and gloves. Remember to use ATVs responsibly, keeping in mind that single-rider ATVs should not be used for passengers, and double-rider ATVs must only support the operator and one passenger.
The ATV Safety Institute has released its golden rules, which not only include the supervision, use, and protective equipment rules, but adds that operators should never ride under any kind of influence, should always use ATVs in appropriate sizes and configurations for the operator’s age, and should stay on ATV-designated trails.
When hunting, remember that it is not only illegal in many states but also irresponsible to hunt while driving an ATV, which includes following, shooting and moving game. The only exceptions to that rule are made for individuals with certain disabilities.
Available ATV Insurance Coverage
Like with any other type of vehicle, damage and collisions can still occur. If you’re ready to protect yourself and your ATV, contact Marine Agency today. We’ll give you a free ATV insurance quote that meets both your needs and budget. As an experienced and trusted insurance agency, you can rest assured you’ll get an ATV insurance policy perfect for you!
