Insurance and ORVs

In the world of off-roading, there are as many types of vehicle as there are people who operate them. For some, the ultimate ORV is an old jeep or SUV that isn't street-legal anymore, but still operational. For others, the same SUV they drive to work every morning is used on trails as well. For yet another group of drivers, the only way to go off-roading is as dedicated off-road vehicles, such as an ATV, dirt bikes dune buggy or even a snow mobile.

Whatever method you choose to go off-roading, however, you should be aware that you need insurance and that not all insurance is the same. For example, if you're driving a street-legal truck or SUV on a trailan, your normal auto insurance will cover an automobile accident and medical care, but it won't replace your gear, and if you're driving anything else, you have to have a special ORV policy.

The following vehicles qualify for special ORV policies:

• All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) - sport, standard, and utility models

• Dirt Bikes

• Dune Buggies

• Golf Carts

• Snowmobiles

While standard auto insurance companies sometimes offer off-road policies for these types of vehicle, your best bet is to contact a specialist. When shopping, be sure that the policy you choose is as broad as possible, especially if you have more than one kind of vehicle (an ATV for summer and a snowmobile for winter, for example).

As well, your policy should include the following coverage options:

• Coverage for towed trailers and related optional equipment like sleds for use in transporting snowmobiles and ATVs.

• Coverage for safety apparel, because you should protect the things protecting you. (This generally gives you up to $1,500 to replace any clothing, including helmets and goggles, which are designed to minimize damage to your person in the event of an accident.)

• Coverage that includes replacement / repair of after-market parts

• Coverage for both collision and accidents other than collision

• Coverage for transport trailers (generally up to $7,500).

• Liability coverage with increased limits

Finally, your ORV policy should include year-round coverage. This is especially important, as many policies are written just for the season in which you buy the insurance.

Insuring actual ORVs is fairly simple, but your jeep, truck, or SUV that is no longer street-legal for whatever reason, will be a bit more of a challenge, since most of the major insurance companies will not touch vehicles that haven't passed state inspections and been legally registered, however, there are alternatives:

1. Try a smaller carrier. Some may be willing to write an ORV policy for an unregistered street-vehicle.

2. Prove ownership of a tow-trailer. If you have a towable trailer that will allow you to transport your non-street-legal truck without its wheels touching the pavement, and can show that the trailer is insured, your regular auto insurer may issue an ORV policy on the vehicle itself.

3. Do the required repairs, register the truck, and insure it for the minimum required coverage.

Whatever your choice of off-road vehicle is, make the choice to insure it. Your homeowner's insurance may cover theft, but it isn't enough if you're in an accident on a dune buggy, and having your modified jeep insured does nothing to reduce the sense of adventure you get from speeding down a trail.