Summer is in full swing, with millions of Canadians taking advantage of the warm weather to hit the trails on their ATVs, head out on the highway in their RVs or hit the water on their boats or jet skis.
While there’s no doubt that land and water-based recreational vehicles are a lot of fun, they can also be incredibly costly if you don’t have the proper insurance in place and fully understand your policy. If you injure yourself, someone else or cause property damage while on a recreational vehicle, you may not be covered and could face costly legal proceedings.
So before you hit the road, trail or water on your recreational vehicle, you should know the basics about what your policy covers. With the right insurance protection in place, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of worry-free adventures with your recreational vehicles.
The Facts About Marine & Boat Insurance
Nothing beats a day spent on the water–whether you’re hitting the waves on your jet ski, waterskiing or kicking back for a relaxing day of fishing. However, there are a few things you should know about boat insurance before you take your vehicle on the water.
- Insurance for 25+ Horsepower: If you own a watercraft that has an engine with 25 horsepower or more, you’re required by law to have Legal Liability as part of your boat insurance. While 25 horsepower might not seem like very much, without this type of boat insurance you could face huge financial losses should you be found liable in an accident.
- Negligent Use: The biggest risk for uninsured watercraft is the potential for a lawsuit involving the negligent operation of a watercraft—for example, accidentally hitting a swimmer or another watercraft. Having boat insurance means you’ll be protected from potentially costly legal action should you be accused of negligent use.
- Luxury Watercraft: If you own or operate a higher-end luxury watercraft (such as a yacht or speed boat), you may need a more advanced form of boat insurance protection. Luxury boat insurance offers a broader range of navigational limits, shorter lay-up periods and can also be used to insure chartered watercraft.
- Additional Boat Insurance Coverage: While most boat insurance policies cover a wide range of scenarios, having additional boat insurance offers further protection when accidents happen on the water. Additional coverage includes: wreck removal, pollution liability, loss of personal effects and emergency towing.
The Facts About Dirt Bike & ATV Insurance
Whether you’re hitting the trail on a quad or cutting through the mud on a motorcycle, nothing beats the thrill of an ATV and dirt bike in the great outdoors. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for dirt bike or ATV insurance.
- Operating on Public Land: If you’re operating your ATV on public land, such as a park or campground, you’re legally required to have ATV insurance. Without this type of coverage in place, you will not be protected should an injury or property damage occur in that area as a result of your ATV.
- Third-party liability: In Canada you’re also legally required to have third-party liability ATV insurance. This unique form of coverage protects you in the event that you or someone else causes an accident. For example, if you or a friend hit someone while driving your ATV, third-party liability insurance would then cover the costs of injuries/damages to that person.
- Accident benefits: As part of your dirt bike or ATV insurance, you’re also legally required in Canada to have accident benefits, which cover you in the event that you’re injured or damage your ATV during an accident.
- Additional ATV Insurance Coverage: Given the risky nature of operating a dirt bike or ATV, many drivers choose to get additional coverage that goes beyond the legal requirements. This additional type of dirt bike and ATV insurance includes: collisions, rollovers, fire, theft and vandalism.
The Facts About Motorhome & RV Insurance
For millions of Canadians, RVs offer the comfort of home while at the same time offering the thrill of exploring the great outdoors and the open road. Here’s what you need to know about motorhome and RV insurance.
- Third-Party Liability: As part of your RV insurance, you also must have third-party liability coverage. Again, this type of insurance covers costs if another individual is injured as a result of an accident caused by you or someone else who is operating your RV or motorhome.
- Accident Benefits Coverage: Helps cover medical costs if you or a passenger is injured in an accident.
- Direct Compensation Property Damage: Motorhome owners in Alberta are also required by law to have direct compensation property damage (DCPD), like every other vehicle on the road. This will help cover repair or replacement expenses if your motorhome and its contents are damaged in a collision for which you are not responsible (DCPD will also provide partial benefits if you’re partially at-fault for the accident).
What insurance do I need?
As a general rule when shopping for boat insurance, ATV insurance or RV insurance, you should be looking for Comprehensive, All-Risk policies, with a minimum of $2,000,000 Legal Liability coverage. These types of policies provide greater protection and will help ensure your outdoor vehicle adventures remain fun and worry-free on both water and land.
To learn more about how boat insurance, ATV insurance and RV insurance can protect you and your loved ones, contact Acera Insurance today for a free quote.