ATV Insurance

Ver en Español 🌐

Does my auto or homeowners policy cover an ATV or UTV?

Usually not once it leaves your yard. A quad or side-by-side is an off-highway vehicle, and personal auto policies are written for cars on the road. Homeowners policies generally give motorized recreational vehicles little or no liability coverage away from the insured property, and nothing for damage to the machine itself. ATV insurance is a separate recreational-vehicle policy that lists your quad or UTV by VIN and goes with it to the trailhead, the ranch, or the hunting lease.

What does ATV and UTV insurance cover?

• Bodily injury and property damage liability — when a rider on your policy is at fault: a friend hurt in a rollover, a gate or vineyard row damaged on someone else’s land.
• Guest passenger liability — side-by-sides are built to carry passengers, and some policies leave passengers out unless you add it, so we check the form.
• Collision — a rollover on a washout, a hidden rock, a tree on a tight switchback.
• Comprehensive — theft from a garage, trailer or campsite, plus fire, vandalism and falling objects.
• Custom parts and equipment — winches, plows, light bars, roll cages, doors, tires and wheels added after purchase. Keep the receipts; most policies cap this unless you schedule a higher amount.
• Medical payments — riding injuries to you and passengers, regardless of who caused the crash.

What do ATV policies usually exclude?

Racing, speed contests and timed events; renting the machine out or using it for hire; wear, mechanical breakdown and engine failure; and, on many forms, a rider who is not listed or who does not meet the policy’s age rules. If the UTV hauls feed, checks irrigation or does other farm or ranch work, tell us up front. Business use is rated differently from weekend trail riding, and some personal policies exclude it.

Does an ATV need to be registered in California?

Yes, unless it falls under an exemption. The California DMV says off-highway vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, trail bikes and dune buggies do not take regular registration but must display a DMV-issued OHV identification plate. Green ID plates go to vehicles that meet California Air Resources Board emission standards; red ID plates go to vehicles built after 2003 that do not, and those carry a “3” or “C” in the eighth position of the VIN. The ID expires on June 30 of the second calendar year after it is issued. DMV also notes that ATVs do not meet federal standards for on-highway use and cannot be converted to street registration. Source: California DMV, Off-Highway Vehicle Registration.

Can teenagers ride an ATV on public land in California?

Only under conditions set by California Vehicle Code §38503. According to the California State Parks OHMVR Division, no one under 18 may operate an ATV on public lands unless they are taking a safety course under a certified instructor, hold an ATV safety certificate, or are directly supervised by a parent, guardian or authorized adult who holds one. Riders 14 to 17 may ride without an adult only with their own certificate, and riders 14 and under must always be supervised by an adult. The Division offers ATV safety training at state vehicular recreation areas. Source: OHMVR Division, ATV Safety Training. Tell us every rider, teens included, so each one is listed on the policy.

How much does ATV insurance cost?

It is priced per machine and per rider, so the honest answer is a quote, not a sticker price. The factors that move it most: what the quad or UTV is worth and its engine size; whether you carry liability only or add collision and comprehensive; the age and riding experience of everyone listed; where it is stored overnight; your ZIP code; and the deductible. Liability-only coverage on an older quad and full physical damage on a new side-by-side are very different policies. Give us the machine and the riders and we will price the exact combination.

What do we need to quote an ATV or side-by-side?

• Year, make, model, engine size and VIN, and whether it carries a green or red OHV ID.
• What you paid or what it is worth now, plus a list of add-on accessories.
• Everyone who will drive it and their driver’s license status.
• Where it is kept (locked garage, enclosed trailer, carport) and the ZIP code.
• How it is used: trail riding, hunting, chores at home, or farm and ranch work.
• Any auto or home policy you already have, so we can line up coverage and renewal dates.

Insurance City is an independent brokerage in Stockton, so we compare recreational-vehicle policies from the carriers we represent and walk you through the exclusions before you buy. English and Spanish. Call (209) 670-1556 or use the quote form.