Insurance Insight: Spring And Summer Recreation

Spring is in the air! I don’t know about you, but I was especially excited when the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, giving us a quick end to winter! This year more than ever, I am ready for bright Spring and Summer days playing with my son and grilling out with family and friends. It makes you want to get out and enjoy our beautiful state of Arkansas, whether off-roading, boating, or taking a leisurely drive on one of our many scenic roads.

Motorcycles

There’s nothing like being on the open roads on a motorcycle. With a Motorcycle insurance policy, you can ride on in confidence knowing you have the protection, security, and value by being properly covered. Things like repairing or replacing your protective gear, costs incurred for trip interruption protection, emergency roadside assistance and professional service are things you should look for in an insurance company. Ask if your company covers:

• Bodily injury to someone else or damage to someone else’s property for which you are legally responsible while riding your motorcycle
• Bodily injury to yourself because of an accident with an uninsured motorist
• Damage to your motorcycle caused by an accident
• Theft, fire, vandalism, and other losses even while your motorcycle is in storage for the winter
• Custom motorcycle work, such as paint or upgraded components
• Attached sidecars
• Emergency Roadside Expenses
• Loss to Protective Gear
• Trip Interruption Expenses

Off-Road Vehicles

Do you have ATVs, dune buggies, snowmobiles, mini-bikes, trail bikes, or golf carts? The coverages on these kinds of vehicles are similar to that of actual cars and trucks. I would suggest getting with your agent to make sure you’re covered from theft (one of the leading causes of loss on ATVs especially). If it takes its own liability coverage, which pays the other party if an accident is your fault, make sure your liability limits are high enough to protect your assets. Your biggest asset of all is your potential to earn money, so you should definitely consider medical coverages and even disability coverages. Talk to your insurance company on the various options to protect your family.

Boats

Lastly, boat season is upon us! Your boat policy can insure you against most risks of owning and operating your boat, its motor, and its trailer — including protection against liability lawsuits and medical payments. The risks involved in boating are sinking, fire, storms, theft, capsizing, stranding, collision and explosion.

Now, think about all of the ‘stuff’ we have on our boats: equipment permanently attached to the boat, anchors, oars, electric trolling motors, extra fuel tanks, tools, detachable canopies, seat cushions, life preservers, skis and their tow ropes, and dinghies are just a few. It can almost seem like that “junk drawer” I’ve talked about in other articles where it’s so many things, it’s hard to remember it all!

Boat insurance can also protect you if you injure someone with your boat or damage his or her property. Boat liability coverage provides protection for legal liability because of an accident resulting from the ownership, maintenance, or use of your watercraft, including bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense.

However you plan on spending your spring and summer, my wish is for you to enjoy it to the fullest. Most importantly, be safe, be protected, and be confident that you are taking every step to take care of yourself and your loved ones.