Golf carts are often used for transportation, such as around small towns, retirement parks, and gated communities. Driving any vehicle can be risky, and golf carts are no exception. Golf cart accidents can result in property damage, injuries, and medical expenses. Fortunately, golf cart insurance is available to protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Some insurers provide golf cart insurance under exclusive policies, while others insure golf carts under homeowners or auto insurance policies.
Luckily, an independent insurance agent can help you find the best golf cart insurance policy. They know which insurance companies offer the coverage you need at a great rate. But first, here's a guide to golf cart insurance, what it covers, and why you might need it.
Key Takeaways - Golf Cart Insurance
- Homeowners insurance provides only limited coverage for golf carts, such as for theft and on-property use.
- Golf cart insurance can cover use on public roadways, and many policies include liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, and other types of coverage.
- Golf cart insurance may be mandatory in your state, HOA, or community, with many areas requiring drivers to at least have liability coverage.
- Golf cart liability insurance starts at an average of $75 per year, or approximately $6.25 per month, but you'll pay more for a complete policy with multiple types of coverage.
- It's highly recommended to work with an independent insurance agent, as they can shop and compare golf cart insurance quotes and policy options from many carriers for you, and tailor coverage to meet your needs.
What Is Golf Cart Insurance?
Golf cart insurance coverage is a special type of auto policy designed to cover this type of low-speed vehicle (LSV). If you've wondered, "What insurance covers a golf cart?" the answer is either a separate golf cart insurance policy or homeowners insurance. A standard auto insurance policy typically won't cover golf carts because they're not classified as cars, but rather LSVs. A golf cart insurance policy can cover various risks, including liability, theft, and damage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Golf Carts?
Yes, homeowners insurance can cover golf carts while they're on your property. However, if you've been asking, "Does homeowners insurance cover golf carts off property?" the answer is usually no. Further, golf carts that are registered to be driven on roads are typically not covered by home insurance policies.
When can a golf cart be covered under homeowners insurance?
Home insurance may provide coverage for a golf cart for the following:
- On-property use
- Liability for personal property damage and bodily injury to others
- Personal property protection for damage and destruction
- Theft and vandalism
When is a golf cart not covered by homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance is unlikely to provide coverage for a golf car in the following scenarios:
- Theft or vandalism away from home
- Public road use
- Off-property accidents
An independent insurance agent can help you review your specific homeowners insurance golf cart coverage included in your policy.
What Does Golf Cart Insurance Cover?
Golf cart insurance can provide coverage for physical damage to your golf cart, as well as reimbursement for theft or vandalism. It can also protect you from liability if you damage someone else's property or injure someone with your golf cart.
A golf cart policy typically includes the following:
- Liability coverage: This covers accidents, injuries, and property damage that you cause to another person on the golf course or in another vehicle with your golf cart.
- Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your golf cart from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. If you use your vehicle on a golf course, at a resort, or in a private gated community, you may be covered for collision under the management or ownership, like a condominium association. However, if you drive your golf cart on public roads, you'll need your own policy.
- Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your golf cart due to a non-collision event, such as a flood or theft.
- Medical payments coverage: This covers the cost of your injuries and injuries to your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorists coverage: This covers the cost of damage to your golf cart, injuries to you and your passengers, and other losses after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, or after a hit-and-run.
- Transport trailer coverage: If you use a non-motorized trailer to transport your golf cart, this coverage will compensate you if it is damaged, stolen, or vandalized.
- Roadside assistance coverage: This coverage will provide you with towing services if your golf cart breaks down when used on the road.
You can also typically add riders to your policy to cover any additions to the golf cart, such as solar panels, alloy wheels, and other enhancements. An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the golf cart coverage you need.
What's Not Covered by Golf Cart Insurance?
Golf cart insurance won't cover commercial use of your vehicle. Typically, these policies come with the following exclusions:
- Racing or reckless use
- Commercial use
- Unapproved modifications
- Intentional damage
Your independent insurance agent can help you review the coverage exclusions in your golf cart insurance policy.
How Much Does Golf Cart Insurance Cost?
Golf cart liability insurance starts at an average of just $75 per year, or approximately $6.25 per month. However, a complete policy that offers protection beyond basic liability coverage will cost quite a bit more. Other factors that can affect the cost of golf cart insurance include:
- Usage (i.e., golf course vs. public roads)
- Your location
- The golf cart's value
- The golf cart's make and model
- The type of coverage you select
- Your claims history
An independent insurance agent can help you find affordable golf cart insurance in your area.
Is Golf Cart Insurance Required?
It can be. If you've been wondering, "Is golf cart insurance required in my state?" it's important to review your local regulations and golf cart insurance requirements. For example, certain states, such as North Carolina and South Carolina, require users to have at least liability insurance if they operate their golf carts on public streets.
Your HOA or community may require you to have certain types of golf cart coverage. If you live in a gated community, it can be especially important to review your neighborhood's golf cart insurance requirements. It's also critical to understand your state's golf cart licensing requirements if you'll be using your LSV on the road. An independent insurance agent can help you find the right type of insurance coverage, including golf cart insurance for neighborhoods and golf cart insurance for retirement communities.
How to Choose the Right Golf Cart Insurance
The best way to choose the right golf cart insurance is by working with an independent insurance agent. They can help you consider how much coverage is appropriate for your specific golf cart. They'll also evaluate how and where you use your golf cart and your unique risks to determine which types of coverage you need in your policy. Your agent can recommend when you should consider increasing your liability coverage limits as well.
Common Golf Cart Insurance Scenarios
Golf cart insurance can be used to cover expenses related to many of the following common scenarios:
- Collision accidents with other golf carts, property, or pedestrians in gated communities or other neighborhoods
- Theft from a garage or storage facility
- Collision accidents with parked vehicles
- Damage to your golf cart from fire, lightning, hail, or vandalism
An independent insurance agent can provide even more common scenarios in which golf cart insurance would apply.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find Golf Cart Insurance Quotes
When you're ready to get set up with the right golf cart insurance, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple golf cart insurance companies, so they're free to shop and compare golf cart insurance quotes and policies to find you the best deal. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you file claims or update your coverage when necessary.
FAQs About Golf Cart Insurance
Do you need insurance for a golf cart?
You might. Coverage may be required by your state or community, depending on how you use your golf cart. Regardless, you might want coverage to protect yourself against the cost of replacing it after a disaster or theft.
Is golf cart insurance worth it?
Yes, to many people, golf cart insurance is worth the cost. Golf cart liability insurance can be as low as $75 per year. Considering that many lawsuits can cost thousands of dollars or more to settle, this coverage can be seen as more than worth it.
Does golf cart insurance cover theft?
Yes, golf cart insurance covers theft and vandalism of your vehicle.
Is golf cart insurance coverage different for electric vs. gas carts?
It can be, yes. Make sure to work with an independent insurance agent to get the right policy for your gas- or electric-powered golf cart.
Is golf cart insurance mandatory?
In some locations, yes, golf cart insurance can be mandatory. Many HOAs and gated communities require golf cart insurance, while various states require drivers to carry at least liability coverage. Be sure to review the regulations in your area.
Can a golf cart be covered under homeowners insurance?
In some cases, yes, golf carts can be covered under homeowners insurance. However, there are stipulations to this coverage. For example, typically only on-property use is covered, while accidents and thefts that occur away from your home aren't.
Sources
https://www.progressive.com/answers/what-does-golf-cart-insurance-cover/
https://www.progressive.com/answers/golf-cart-insurance-cost/
https://www.ncinsquote.com/golf/
