You need a few important things before taking your ATV for a ride. Yes, it would help if you had an ATV; that’s a given. You will require a helmet because safety is super important to the law. You might also need good boots or gloves before hitting the trails, and lastly, a full tank of gas is also vital.
That’s all you need, right? Time to ride!
Not so fast, speedy. One more thing you need before you go riding: ATV insurance.
Much like your everyday vehicle requires insurance, your recreation vehicle is no different. Some Provinces, Ontario, for example, require insurance on your ATV for use in public areas or when crossing public roads, so it’s probably a good idea to have it no matter where you think you’ll be riding. The last thing you want is to interrupt your day or ride with a penalty due to an uninsured ATV. Not only will you have to pay a fine and possibly impound your ATV, but you’ll also have to pay more when you get insurance.
Like most insurance, your driving record will factor into how much you’ll be required to pay. Your age, years of experience, accident record, and driving violations will be considered when acquiring insurance. Additionally, the size, cc’s, number of passengers it can carry, and the year it was made will also be looked at for off-road vehicles.
If you’ve got an immaculate record—and congratulations if you do—you’ll laugh when it’s time to insure your ride. If your record isn’t exactly, shall we say, immaculate? You’re going to be paying more money.
Fortunately, there are ways you can keep your insurance as low as possible. Being a safe and conscientious driver will save you both on and off the road—accidents happen, but as long as you’re not found to be at fault, it won’t count against you and make your payments go up.
You’ll also want to ensure your ATV is secure when not riding it. Insurance will cover theft, but not if you didn’t do all you could to prevent it. Leave it running with the keys out in front of your house? You may not get a lot of sympathy from the insurance company. So lock it up in a secure location.
No matter what rate you’re offered, you will want to do some budgeting to ensure you can afford another monthly payment. The average cost to insure an ATV in Ontario can range between $400 and $1,200 annually.
Many insurance companies will want to offer you a policy but don’t just accept the first one you find. Call around and get a few different quotes—you’ll be surprised at the difference between companies—and decide which will work best for you.
If you’re looking for an ATV to insure, we can help! We will find you the right ATV, UTV, or SXS to suit your needs and budget, and we can also help you select suitable insurance! Check out our ATV financing to get closer to your dream ride!
