What to Do After Buying an ATV

After purchasing a new ATV, you may want to hit the trails right away. Though you may be itching to ride, there are some important considerations you ought to take a look at first. To begin, you should make sure your ATV is properly registered. Familiarizing yourself with your machine by reading your manual and introducing yourself to the new controls is a great place to start. In this article, you can find information regarding tips on safety equipment, creating a maintenance checklist, and some insurance considerations for your new ATV.

What Safety Gear Do You Need for Your ATV?

Making sure you have the proper safety gear for when you ride your new ATV is important. ATVs can tip over, throw rocks, and sometimes be quite loud. The following is a list of some recommended safety gear that ATV riders should consider:

• Helmet
• Eye Protection
• Protective Gloves
• Closed-toe Boots or Shoes
• Earplugs
• And More

ATV Maintenance Checklist

Although you may not need to perform any maintenance before hitting the trails with your newly purchased ATV, it is always a good idea to give your ride a quick once over to make sure everything looks proper. The following are some of the recommended maintenance steps to take before riding.

• Visually inspect your ATV for any signs of needed repair
• Check your ATV’s tires to make sure they are properly inflated
• Check the fluids in your ATV, such as oil, coolant, brake fluid, and your gear case
• Test your ATV’s battery for any loose connections or corrosion
• Inspect filters to ensure they aren’t dirty or clogged
• Clean your ATV, especially after rides with abundant mud or dirt

Do I Need Insurance Before Riding My New ATV?

Whether or not ATV insurance is required can depend on a variety of factors, such as the laws of the state(s) where you live and where you intend to use your ATV. In addition, if you are financing the ATV your recently purchased, your lienholder will likely require you to have certain minimum levels of insurance. That said, even if your state doesn’t require ATV insurance it is always a good idea to explore coverage options.

What Coverages Should I Consider for My New ATV?

Depending on your needs and wants, the following are some of the typical coverages that are available:

Bodily Injury Liability – In the event there is an accident associated with the negligent use of your new ATV that leads to an injury or death of another, this coverage can help pay some of the medical expenses for the injured person up to your policies coverage limits.

Property Damage – If damage is inflicted to another individual’s ATV, vehicle, home, or personal property due to an accident involving the negligent use of your ATV, this coverage can help to pay for that property damage, up to coverage limits.

Collision Insurance – If you are involved in an accident while using your new ATV, collision coverage can help with costs to repair your ATV. Collision coverage is generally optional, although it is recommended that ATV owners determine if the coverage is justifiable, especially if it is a newly purchased ATV.

Comprehensive Insurance – Comprehensive coverage, similar to collision insurance, can help cover expenses when damage occurs to your ATV. The difference between these two coverages is collision helps when damage occurs from an accident with another vehicle or ATV, while comprehensive helps cover the expenses when a loss is due to theft, vandalism, or an “Act of God”, such as weather-related events or hitting an animal.

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage – When an uninsured or underinsured ATV rider negligently causes an accident involving you, this coverage can help to compensate you for your medical expenses, up to coverage limits.

Carried Contents – This coverage can help protect equipment, gear, and various other personal property that you may have aboard your ATV while riding that could be damaged, lost, or even stolen.

How Much Is Insurance for First Time ATV Riders?

Similar to other motorized vehicles, like car, motorcycle, and snowmobile policies, ATV insurance pricing may vary depending on a variety of factors. Before getting your insurance quote, here are some of the factors that may affect your rate.

• The make and model of your ATV. If you have recently purchased an ATV, you can expect a higher rate than compared to an older model.
• The state that you live in. With each state having different laws and regulations that drivers must follow, this can alter rates.
• Where and how much will you be driving your ATV?
• The age, gender, marital status, and education of the operator can also affect your quote.
• Your personal driving record will also factor into your costs. Having prior tickets, violations or accidents can potentially raise your ATV insurance rates.

Request a Quote for Your New ATV

At Cross Insurance, we work with over 100 different carriers, from national names to local companies. Whether you are looking to insure your new ATV, primary vehicle, home, or business, our team can help find options for you. Reach out to one of our local offices to start the quoting process today or fill out our form here.

 

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.