ATVs – or all-terrain vehicles – are small, typically four-wheeled powersports vehicles aimed primarily at riding on off-road trails, whether on privately owned property or in public parks. They’re popular around much of the world, but especially so in Canada, where the very first ATV was invented in 1961. However, ATVs are also one of the most overlooked vehicle types when it comes to insurance.
Many new ATV owners do not realize they must have insurance to ride their ATVs on public trails and roadways, and that ATVs need a separate insurance policy as they are excluded from your home and passenger vehicle policies. Failure to have insurance on your ATV can come with some hefty fines and out of pocket costs in case of an accident – money that might be better spent on new wheels and tires, or a slick set of heated grips. Here, we’ve teamed up with TD Insurance to dive into the topic of ATV insurance: what it is, what it covers, and how to get a quote on insurance costs.
In the simplest terms, ATV insurance is just like any other kind of insurance: you pay a certain amount each month to have financial protection if you have a covered loss – primarily injury or vehicle damage – or if you cause damage to someone else’s person or property. The types of coverage offered to ATV riders are similar to automotive and motorcycle insurance, with third-party liability coverage typically representing the most basic protection, and the minimum you’re required to carry if you ride on public land or roads. Beside third-party liability coverage, the components of which can vary by province, you can opt to pay a higher premium for comprehensive and collision coverage to protect your ATV against different types of loss or damage.
Third-party liability insurance is the bare minimum requirement for ATV insurance, and it covers you against claims made by others if you are involved in an accident with them. Public trails can get crowded, often with riders of different skill levels, so it’s essential to protect yourself in the event that you accidentally harm another person or damage their vehicle.
Based on your personal needs and subject to eligibility criteria, you may choose to increase coverage on your ATV, and have a range of options
If you are interested in purchasing an ATV insurance policy soon, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Have a Driver's Licence: For starters, you and anyone else you plan to list as a user of your ATV will need to have a valid driver’s licence. Be sure to check your local requirements if you want someone without a driver’s licence to use your ATV as this usually comes with significant restrictions. )
Be Mindful of Modifications: ATV modifications can impact insurability. Many Canadian insurers, TD Insurance included, won’t approve most modifications to the vehicle’s frame or suspension, as it’s near impossible for the provider to know with certainty that such mods have been carried out safely, and that they won’t seriously impair the ATV’s ability to stop and steer properly. Modifications that add power can be a sticking point, as well; some insurers may not approve coverage for an ATV that has been customized, modified or altered from the manufacturer's original characteristics for the purposes of enhanced performance
A Range of Factors Impact Premiums: As far as your premiums go, pricing is dictated largely by the same factors that govern car and motorcycle insurance premiums. Your driving record, your age, your claim history, and where you live and ride will all have an impact on how much you can expect to pay.
Similarly, the specific make and model of your ATV can have a large impact, especially when it comes to collision and comprehensive coverage; faster, larger-displacement ATVs are statistically associated with greater risk of vehicle damage and injury, and the newer and more expensive an ATV is, generally, the more expensive it will be to insure as in most cases, repairs will be more expensive to carry out.
Getting an ATV insurance quote is easy. Most insurers, like TD Insurance, have automated web-based quote generators you can use to get a quote in just a few minutes. You'll need to provide some basic details such as the make, model, and year of the ATV; whether it’s owned outright, financed, or leased; and your driver’s licence number or other identifying personal information.
To learn more about ATV insurance, and to get a fast, free quote, head to tdinsurance.com and keep in mind: if you already have other coverage through TD Insurance, such as an auto policy, home/condo policy, or tenant’s policy, you could bundle coverage and save.