Do I Need ATV Insurance For My Bad Boy Off Road ATV?

We’ve spoken previously about the wisdom of picking up some basic insurance for your golf cart, especially if you’re the type to take your golf cart around the neighborhood or out after dark.

One thing we haven’t really spoken too much about, though, is whether or not it’s wise to get insurance for your ATV. ATVs are designed for off-road adventures (many of our customers use them for hunting, fishing, or even around the farm) and there are a few safety precautions to take to prevent injury or a loss of investment if your ATV is damaged or totaled after an accident.

Is insurance one of those precautions? Read on to find out.

The Basics of ATV Ownership

ATVs have their own section at the South Carolina DMV’s website, and it’s worth taking a look if you’re interested in picking up a Bad Boy Off Road Stampede 900 for your own home. Basically, South Carolina law has the following to say about ATV ownership:

• You can apply for a title at the DMV using the form linked on the site.
• There will be a $15.00 titling fee and a sales tax applied.
• You’ll need the certificate of origin from the manufacturer or previous owner.

According to the South Carolina All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act, or “Chandler’s Law”, ATVs are legally required to have the following::

• An effective muffler system
• USDA Forest Service approved spark arrester
• Brake system

Any new ATV will absolutely meet these qualifications, and the vast majority of preowned All-Terrain Vehicles will be perfectly able to match the regulations, too. If you’re buying preowned, however, it’s definitely important to check and make sure!

You may have noticed “up-to-date and valid insurance” wasn’t on either of those short lists.

So… Do I Need ATV Insurance?

It’s not a legal requirement in South Carolina, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to pick some up. ATV insurance will help you in case of an injury or accident to recover the costs of medical care and repairs if your ATV is damaged. We recommend picking up the following:

Liability coverage. Essentially, this is helpful in case your ATV accident results in someone being injured, or if it causes damage to someone else’s property. Once your deductible is met, liability insurance will help you pay the costs of the injured person’s medical bills or the property repairs.

Collision coverage. We strongly suggest picking up collision coverage if you plan to take your ATV to one of our ATV-friendly parks here in South Carolina, or if you plan to go riding with friends or family who have their own ATVs. This will help to cover costs if there is a collision between vehicles.

Comprehensive coverage. In the case of damage caused by something that isn’t a collision (think a tree falling over onto the storage area where the ATV is kept, or a hailstorm when the ATV was left outside), comprehensive coverage will help to cover the costs of repair or replacement.

In short, while it’s not a legal requirement, we suggest that you invest in ATV insurance just for peace of mind. It’s good to know you’ll have coverage, just in case — especially if you rely on your ATV for work around the farm or for heading into the great outdoors.

Interested in New or Preowned ATVs? Garrett’s Has You Covered!

While we can’t sell you ATV insurance, we can definitely help find the perfect ATV for you! We’re proud to carry Bad Boy Off Road ATVs at all three of our South Carolina locations. We also provide customization options to help you create the perfect All-Terrain Vehicle for your needs, whether you’re looking for extra storage, coolers to keep drinks cold, or a heater to keep you warm in the winter. Reach us by phone at (864) 862 7709 for Greenville, (803) 407 2687 for Columbia, (843) 881 8894 for Charleston, or contact us online at any time!

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