What do you do to relax on these hot summer days? If it involves sailing the lakes, riding the trails or touring the back-country, it’s time to make sure you’re protected with the right insurance.
A recreational vehicle is a big investment. You likely spent a lot of time researching and saving for the purchase. Yet, many of us forget to insure these vehicles, especially if we’re experienced hobbyists.
Unfortunately though, life sometimes has surprises, and when the bill comes in for damages, it can be huge. So, as you review your insurance options, keep an eye out for these four must-have coverage features:
#1 Personal liability:
Before all else, this is the coverage to look for when picking your policy. We often think of protecting ourselves from accidents, but we forget the potential medical or even legal fallout if a friend gets hurt while with us.
Let’s say you have a guest on your next adventure. Everything’s great, until they slip on deck or fall off your ATV. They badly break their arm and then sue you for damages. This is where personal liability insurance saves the day. It can cover the hefty medical bills, damages and any legal costs you may incur along the way. We recommend a coverage limit of $2 million to ensure you’re not left out of pocket for someone else’s misfortune.
#2 Collision insurance
Whether you’re sailing or behind the wheel, accidents happen. All it takes is a moment of lost concentration or a flash of sun in your eyes. These mishaps shouldn’t wreck your summer plans or break the bank. But if you cause a crash, that’s exactly what could happen.
Recreational vehicles don’t come cheap. The price to replace parts or entire machines can add up fast. Making sure you have this coverage under your policy is the best way to keep your money in your pocket and your vehicle on the road (or water).
#3: Under-insured boater insurance
You may be an experienced boater, but can you say the same for everyone else? Summer brings a lot of tourists and thrill-seekers to the lake. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t protect yourself against the carelessness and inexperience of others. On top of which, if they don’t boat often, the likelihood of them having insurance to cover their mistakes is slim. That’s why insuring yourself against others is so important. The last thing you want is your summer ruined by massive replacement or repair bills for an accident that wasn’t even your fault.
#4 Comprehensive coverage
You’ve covered all the possible accidents with your policy, but there’s one more feature you should consider – comprehensive coverage. This helps pay to replace or repair your expensive recreational vehicle or boat if it’s stolen, vandalized or damaged by a non-collision incident, like a fire, falling tree branch or natural disaster.
At the end of the day, what’s important is that you have the right policy for you. So, make sure you do your research and don’t hesitate to contact our experts if you have any questions. That way, if the worst should happen, you can weather the storm then get back out there and seize the day!