Give Yourself Peace of Mind and Consider Golf Cart Insurance

It’s never a bad idea to buy golf cart insurance if you own a golf cart. Depending on where you live, it may even be required by your Homeowner Association or state law. How and where you ride your golf cart may also affect your need for insurance.

This guide can help you determine the type and amount of coverage you may need.

Types of Golf Cart Insurance

The type of golf cart insurance you need depends on how and how often you utilize your cart. As with other kinds of insurance, golf cart coverage and protocol in the case of an accident vary with location. Thus, it’s important to do research and know exactly what you need before buying. There are a variety of providers who offer golf cart specific policies; ask a lot of questions (especially about price) before committing.

Basic Coverage
If you only drive the golf cart around your property or around your local golf course, this is considered basic usage. In this case, the best type of coverage is usually homeowner’s insurance, which typically covers smaller, low-range vehicle uses. Golf cart policies in this range can cost as little as $50 each year, making it both extremely affordable and smart to purchase the ability to have a little more freedom and a lot less worry.

There is no formal registration process or driver’s license required. However, it is important to note this type of insurance is limited. Many homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover golf cart accidents unless they specifically occur within the specified boundaries of your property.

In this case, if the company offers something called “golf cart endorsement,” you should definitely look into it. Endorsements provide protection against physical destruction of the cart, liability, vandalism, and theft.

Be wary of renting out your cart, competing in recreational races, using the cart for work or business related purposes, and driving within a retirement or special access community. These activities are not prohibited, but are generally not covered by your policy. Ask your provider for more information.

Speed Modified Coverage

Many golf carts can reach speeds up to 20 to 35 mpg, as opposed to the standard maximum 15 mpg. These carts are often considered to be a form of localized car, as they can be driven on public streets featuring very slow speed limits, such as school zones and neighborhood residential streets.

This kind of cart must have a range of certain accessories, such as proper seat belts, headlights, tail lights, brake lights, a horn, a windshield, turn signals, rear view mirrors, and parking brakes.

If this sounds familiar, the best type of insurance for you is a particular type of auto insurance for Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs). As an insured motor vehicle, only registered drivers with a valid license can operate it. Insurance experts recommend choosing a policy that will offer benefits extending to collisions and medical cost coverage.

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Coverage
If you frequently use your golf cart, taking it around the neighborhood, city streets, and local golf course, you are using it as an ATV.In this case, you should consider buying an umbrella policy, as they offer the most extensive coverage.

Depending on what you are paying, the umbrella policy has the ability to cover almost any possible damage that may occur to cart or driver, including: collision, uninsured motorist, liability, annual policy, medical payments, and more. Damage and other part replacements, medical bills for an uninsured or underinsured driver, and even elements such as natural disasters, fire, and theft can be accounted for.

A Step by Step Guide to Golf Cart Insurance

1. Get a golf cart quote. Find out what perks come with the policies and companies you are researching and exactly how much it will cost. You can do this for free over the phone or on the websites of most insurance companies.

2. For time and efficiency purposes, keep the necessary details at hand. This includes the make, year, serial number, and model of your cart, as well as the names and driving records of those whom the policy will cover.

3. Find a good agent. A professional should be able to answer all of your questions, nit-pick details, foresee issues, and handle paperwork.

4. Buy as much coverage as your budget will allow. There are a number of mishaps that can occur on a golf cart.

5. Get your vehicle listed as an LSV, a Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) cart, or a traditional golf cart.

6. Register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles, especially if you own a LSV. Many states require insurance before you are allowed to register your vehicle.

Regardless of how and when you use your golf cart, it is always smart to make sure you are covered in the case of an emergency. No matter how long you’ve been driving, or how experienced you think you are, it’s impossible to foresee the number of accidents that take place each year.

Purchasing golf cart insurance is the best way to ensure you will not be paying enormous out of pocket bills in the event of collision, theft, vandalism, or natural disaster. Protect yourself today and have a worry-free golf experience for years to come!