Recreation Insurance

Boat Insurance

There is nothing better than being out on the water. People love their toys and they are great fun but they can pose significant risks for their owners.

When it comes to your toys, it is important to purchase boat insurance for specialized coverage that goes beyond the standard coverage offered by your home insurance policy. Your pull trailer will require insurance as well and will fall under Manitoba Public Insurance.

You may not think you need boat insurance. But if you own a boat it’s in your best interest to prepare for any unforeseen accidents by making sure your boat has insurance coverage.

When you’re looking for worry-free boat insurance, be sure that the insurance broker has a long history of providing boat insurance for the best coverage and peace of mind.

Boat insurance can cover what is needed both on and off the water. Before selecting an insurance broker, it’s important to research a variety of quotes, since rates and coverage on boat insurance can vary.

Is My Boat Covered Under My Home Insurance Policy?

Many believe that a home insurance policy will cover their boat as well. Unfortunately, that is often not the case. You may have some coverage under your home insurance policy, but typically it provides very limited coverage.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

Boat insurance not only covers physical damage to your watercraft in and out of the water, but it also gives you liability protection in case you are responsible for injury to swimmers, water skiers, or other boaters or you damage another boat, dock, or the environment.

A boat insurance policy can come with various different coverages. All boat insurance policies are different in what they provide, here are some coverages you can expect. These include; accidental damage, fire, emergency towing, liability, theft or attempted theft, vandalism, or malicious act.

Emergency towing, loss of use, agreed-to value coverage, year-round protection to ensure you are covered for losses even when your boat is not in use.

What determines the cost of boat insurance?

Factors like the cost of your boat, the type of boat, the amount of use, the type of use all come into play when determining Boat Insurance cost. Various discounts and rewards programs can be available for boat insurance users.

For example, some insurance companies are now offering a no-claims bonus (which could be up to 20% off your premium) for those who have had no claims in a specific amount of time.

There are a couple of different factors that play into the cost of your boat insurance policy. Generally, the main factors behind the cost are:

• The size of the watercraft
• How frequently the boat is used
• The value of the boat
• The type of boat
• The condition of the boat
• Claims history of the owner

How Can I Minimize My Premium?

To save money on your boat insurance, get the proper coverage limits. Note the coverage limits being offered to you. In regards to the cost and size of your boat, make sure your insurance broker has all the right details.

Discuss the appropriate coverage limits with your insurance broker and make sure you ask questions.

Finally, do your research by getting a quote from several boat insurance providers to find out what rates they can offer. Many offer competitively lower rates to get your business but may not offer the coverage you’re looking for.

On the water:

• Navigate and operate your watercraft safely to avoid accidents, never while impaired
• Never leave valuables on-board
• Carry safety and emergency equipment
• Wear approved Personal Floatation Devices (PFD)
• Know your boat
• Follow markers and the rules of the water
• Give large watercraft extra room

In Storage:

• Consider locking devices to immobilize boats stored on a trailer
• Always cover your boat
• Winterize and store your boat in a safe place
• Install satellite monitoring systems to track the whereabouts of the watercraft.
• Clear snow and ice to prevent damage

Questions for Your Broker?

As with all insurance policies, you need to make sure you are getting the right boat insurance for your needs. Talk with your insurance broker about total loss & replacement cost, liability coverage, and other situations that may pertain to you (such as racing or other uses for your boat.)

In addition to this, talk with your insurance broker about what is not covered. Most of the policies might have some exclusions that could range from no coverage for accidents or loss that occurs when you have too many people on your boat (define what that number is) to providing no coverage to you when your boat is being transported by a commercial carrier.

You need to have a full understanding of what is available to you and what is included in your plan. Check to make sure all the information is correct and that you fully understand the policy before signing.

Personal ORV Insurance

Ensure you have the protection you need to Enjoy the View!

Our Personal ORV Insurance program offers coverage that includes:

• Physical Damage: All Perils, Comprehensive, Replacement Cost, Business Use
• Accident Benefits: Accidental Death, Funeral Expense, Rehabilitation, Medical Treatment
• Rider Plus: Search & Rescue, Increase riding gear, Increase deck or trailer limit, Lock re-keying, Travel Protection
• Liability: Protects the operator in the event of an accident with a third party, coverage anywhere you can legally ride in Canada or the USA.

Recreational Vehicle Insurance

Hitch and go, with the right coverage! Whether you have a 5th wheel, travel or tent trailer, toy hauler, or park model there is coverage that is the perfect fit for you.

Owning an RV can be a lot of fun and be a novel way to travel, but it can also be a large investment and should be treated like one.

Why Do I Need RV Insurance?

When you think of accidents that may require insurance, most assume it would be an accident that occurs on the road. Many problems happen when you are not in transit and will need policy coverage as well.

A tree could fall on your camper during a storm, you could be the target for a break-in or you have a breakdown while travelling and need roadside assistance. For those that finance their recreational vehicle, in the event something happens to the camper, resulting in a total loss, you typically are responsible for paying the remaining loan even though you no longer have the camper. With RV insurance, these types of situations wouldn’t have to stress your finances.

How Much Will My RV Insurance Cost?

Premiums on an RV will vary significantly based on the value of the RV, how it is used (vacation or full-time), and the value of its contents.

Snowmobile Insurance

Manitoba may be the only place in the world where you can talk about snowmobile insurance year-round. Of course, we are kidding, but there is nothing better than a fresh dump of snow and a calm clear day to head out on the machine.

At Guild Insurance Group we have brokers who are snowmobilers themselves and because of this, they know the coverage you need on your sled.

Whether you are just cruising around the great Manitoba trails or exploring other parts of Canada. We make sure you have the right coverage so that you can take the time to appreciate the great outdoors and Enjoy the View!

Snowmobile insurance offers extended coverage for personal injury, damage to your machine, and legal liability. Insurance coverage is important because it protects against being sued for causing injury to someone else, as well as the financial setback of machine repairs or replacement.

Manitoba Snowmobile Insurance

A snowmobile is a recreational vehicle and in Manitoba, all snowmobiles are required to be registered with Manitoba Public Insurance. Only two-thirds of the 25,000 snowmobiles registered annually in Manitoba have coverage beyond the basic insurance.

Basic insurance carries a $500,000 minimum third party liability coverage. As a snowmobile owner, you might not even realize what the basic limits of coverage are until you submit a claim. Did you know your basic auto insurance injury protection is not included within the basic snowmobile insurance policy?

Once you understand the protection offered through basic insurance, you should then decide whether or not to purchase extended coverage. With three snowmobile insurance companies, we offer competitive snowmobile insurance quotes. All three insurance companies specialize in providing extension insurance products.

Snowmobile Insurance Coverages

There are a number of different snowmobile insurance extension coverage options available. Including Physical Damage, Accident Benefits, Liability Insurance, and a Rider Plus – extended coverage. As a snowmobile rider, you never plan on having an accident…..but it happens we want you to have the right coverage.

How Does It Work?

Snowmobiling is great fun, but it can be a risky winter sport for a number of reasons. Weather conditions and snow cover can cause visibility issues making it difficult to detect hazards such as rocks, stumps, or open water.

Accidents happen and these accidents can result in personal injury, damage to your machine, or harm to other snowmobilers or someone else’s personal property.

If you have adequate snowmobile insurance, you will be covered if another person files a claim against you for damages or injuries caused.

If you have a collision, you will be able to file a claim for your injuries and damage to your sled. You may also file a claim if your snowmobile is stolen.

Is registering my snowmobile the same as registering my car?

The short answer is No. Basic snowmobile insurance does not cover theft, damage to your snowmobile, or injuries from an accident. You will need to buy these extended coverages separately. You also only get one license plate rather than 2 when you register your car.

Are there any similarities between registering my snowmobile to registering my car?

The answer is Yes. To register your snowmobile you just need to stop in at one of your local Autopac broker’s offices. Also, your snowmobile registration renewal is at the same time as your car registration. You also receive $500,000 in third-party liability coverage with your basic Autopac coverage. In a collision, this will cover you against other peoples’ claims for property damage.

Do all snowmobiles need to be registered?

There are a few situations where you wouldn’t need to register your snowmobile.

• You ride your sled on your property only
• You don’t live in Manitoba and you have current registration in your home province
• If you’re a licensed dealer and you use a dealer plate on your snowmobile
• You operate your snowmobile within the remote community you live in.

Are there any financial risks I may face from a snowmobile accident?

Yes, there are a few financial risks you may need to think about if you are in a snowmobile accident.

Injury Coverage

Registering your snowmobile doesn’t give you automatic injury coverage. If you don’t have Accident Benefits you would need to pay for any disability, medical treatments, or permanent impairment out of your own pocket.

Claims made by others against you

Or if you have an accident and cause injury or damage to another property while operating your sled, you could be sued. If you only go with the basic $500,000 coverage that may not be enough to cover you against a serious injury claim.

Your Own Sled

Another financial risk you may want to consider is if you were to lose your machine without any compensation. With the Autopac basic coverage, your sled is not covered for damage or theft. Could you afford to replace your machine?

What extension coverages should I buy to protect my family, myself, and my snowmobile?

Physical Damage Coverage

We offer 2 different types of physical damage coverages. Comprehensive which is All Perils excluding upset or collision or All Perils coverage which includes upset or collision. Both of these coverages provide coverage for theft and fire without any restrictions, all losses are subject to a $500 deductible. The maximum physical damage limit is up to $40,000 on sleds.

Accident Benefits

Accident benefits help cover injury costs resulting from medical treatments, disability, and rehabilitation.

With an Accident Benefits extended coverage, you’re insured for your injuries or death from:

• Getting on or off a sled
• Being struck down or run over by any sled
• Riding or operating on any snowmobile including colliding with something
• Other occupants or operators of your snowmobile are insured for their injuries or death

Liability Insurance

There are three levels of optional extension insurance coverage available to choose from $ 1 million, $ 2 million or $ 5 million. Third-party liability insurance offers protection against claims someone makes against you for injuries or property damage.

Other Snowmobile Coverages Available

• Riding Gear
• Lock Re-keying (when keys are stolen)
• Travel Protection and Loss of Use
• Safety and Maintenance Equipment
• Reward Coverage
• Liberalization Clause
• Optional Accidental Benefits and
• Search & Rescue Expense Coverage

How much will it cost?

A lot of people wonder how much a snowmobile insurance policy will cost. People often start their insurance shopping by asking relatives or friends what they pay for their snowmobile insurance. Whether you are purchasing snowmobile insurance because you want to protect yourself and your investment or because it’s a requirement, the cost is an important consideration.

Because so many factors go into determining the rates, it’s important to work with a broker who can get insurance quotes from various insurance companies. The cost to insure your sled will vary depending on the coverage you buy and the type of machine you own.

Things that will help determine the price will include:

• Value of your machine: If your machine is used and less expensive to replace your insurance costs may be lower than if you bought a brand new machine.
• The make and model of your machine: Each machine make or model can cost a different amount to repair or replace so each sled is rated slightly different.
• The intended use of the machine: Will you be using the machine for pleasure riding or will you be using it for racing
• The deductible limits you choose: To lower your premium you can increase your deductible. Generally, you will have the option to go with $100, $200 or $500 deductibles. Just make sure that when it comes to making your first claim you can pay that deductible amount out of pocket.
• Liability Insurance Limit: Your premium will be adjusted based on the liability insurance limit you choose. Generally, you will have the option to go with $ 1 million, $ 2 million, or $ 5 million.

What is Snowmobile Insurance All About?

For some, the first snowfall of the season is cause to groan; it means bundling up, even more, shovelling footpaths, and slightly more stressful driving. For others, though, fresh snowfall means grins and glee. It’s the first sign that access to the Manitoba Winter season’s best recreational opportunities is just around the corner.

Some enjoy skiing, others prefer snowboarding, but for those who like to travel in exciting style and comfort, snowmobiles are the most popular choice.

Whether you’re considering purchasing one this season or you’re getting ready to gas up an old, reliable snowmobile, there’s something you should keep in mind besides planning the season’s first excursion. Keeping yourself, your family and your investment safe should be your most pressing concern; the only sure-fire way to do that is with basic snowmobile insurance.

Yes, you’ll need insurance on it, just as you do many other things. It may even be a requirement to pass a snowmobile safety course or to receive the trail passes you’d like to use this year. Though it is often a requirement, it is easy to get lost in the confusion that often surrounds the subject. What do you need to know about retaining this type of insurance? The best place to start is with a simple definition and an understanding of what goes into insurance coverage for a recreational vehicle.

What is Snowmobile Insurance?

In its most basic form, snowmobile insurance is only there to protect you from claims made by others by offering third-party liability protection to you. Basic coverage usually includes protection against claims made of up to $500,000. In other words, if you mistakenly drive a snowmobile into someone’s fence and destroy it, your insurance will pay out the cost of repairing the fence or shield you from monetary damages in a lawsuit. This scenario, though, is the ideal type of snowmobile accident — it resulted in only minor property damage and no injuries.

Not all incidents are the same, so there are additional coverage options to consider.

Additional Coverages

Third-party Liability

Extended third-party liability coverage, in excess of the basic $500,000 limit, is often the first option a snowmobile owner will want to consider. Coverage can often extend all the way up to $5 million. While that might seem like a truly massive amount of liability coverage to carry, it is worth considering that snowmobile accidents can vary widely in severity. In incidents where others (such as a bystander) are seriously injured, damages may be immense. Planning for coverage appropriate to the level of risk you’ll likely face is the best way to proceed.

Bodily Injury

Bodily injury coverage is next on the list, though it is often included in third-party liability coverage as a matter of course. Such a policy may only include injuries caused to others, though. Exploring whether or not a policy looks after your own well-being is important too. Like all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles are generally safe when operated appropriately, but accidents can pose serious risks.

Medical Expenses

Ensuring that you can handle any medical expenses that follow an upset makes it worth including accident benefits in your policy. This can cover the expenses incurred from injuries as simple as falling off the snowmobile to something as serious as a collision between you and another rider.

In the most severe cases, your policy can even pay out benefits in the event of an accident causing death. Discussing the specifics of the coverage you’d like to carry with insurance companies can help you determine the appropriate policy to purchase.

What about protecting your investment from the perils of potential physical damage?

Unlike auto insurance, damage coverage is not an automatic inclusion in your policy. What would happen if adverse weather conditions damaged your snowmobile, or if a thief took off in the night with your ride? That’s when this coverage kicks in and helps to cover the costs of fixing the problem.

Keep in mind there are two types of snowmobile insurance that cover damage. “Comprehensive” coverage typically protects you from fire, theft, and damage outside of your control. “All Perils” coverage goes further and includes coverage in collisions. When you’ll be riding hard all season long or travelling by snowmobile in areas where road vehicles also travel, this may be an essential addition.

Aside from these core areas, there are a number of other additions one could make to a policy based on personal preference. For example, some policies will allow you to cover essential riding gear (such as gloves and helmets), while others offer protection against loss of use during travel. If you expect to be adventuring in the backcountry where becoming lost is a risk, you can even add search and rescue coverage to a policy. It all depends on your budget and how proactive you wish to be about managing potential risks.

Why You Need Year-Round Insurance on Your Snowmobile

OK, so you have a basic overview of what can go into a snowmobile insurance policy and what you should consider exploring with a coverage provider. As you start to put out feelers for insurance offers, you may wonder whether or not you can save some cash by purchasing partial coverage. After all, you may only be in the driver’s seat for a few months out of the year. The rest of the time, your vehicle spends its days in storage waiting for the next perfect snowfall. Should you simply purchase insurance for a few months at a time?

The answer is “probably not.” While you may not necessarily need liability insurance all year, you will want to maintain other types of coverage that come part and parcel with your policy. For example, let’s say that you typically store your snowmobile in a shed on your property when not in use.

One summer night, a fire starts and the shed burns down as a result. Your snowmobile doesn’t survive. Without the right type of coverage, you will have to shoulder the entire burden of the loss yourself. With insurance on your side, such a scenario is a stressful inconvenience, but not a total disaster.

Likewise, theft can occur at any time. What if someone else borrows your snowmobile to take it out on an excursion somewhere else? You may be responsible for whatever happens while a friend drives your vehicle, too. Forgoing coverage for part of the year may even be against local regulations depending on where you live. Thus the risks often clearly outweigh any of the advantages gained by skipping a few months of coverage every year.

What about the idea that partial coverage can save money? Technically, it may save you a small amount; a full year of coverage will always be a little pricier. However, the difference is often trivial compared to the costs you will face if something happens to your snowmobile during the time in between your policy periods.

With no ability to make insurance claims, you will always have to weather the worries of those months. By keeping your insurance current year-round, your investment remains safe at all times.

What Happens If You Don’t Have Coverage?

By now, the answer to this question should seem straightforward. There are many potential consequences for not carrying an appropriate level of insurance for your snowmobile, not least of which is potentially running afoul of the law. Operating without insurance is illegal in many jurisdictions and puts you and others around you at unnecessary risk. That is why licensing and safety courses require at least the basic type of policy which covers only a minimum of third-party liability.

Will My Homeowners or Auto Insurance Cover My Snowmobile?

It is a common misconception that other types of insurance you may already carry will provide the necessary coverage in the event of an accident. However, this is not true. Neither homeowner’s insurance nor auto insurance providers will extend their policies to include coverage for property damage, injury, or any loss related to your snowmobile. This is another reason why maintaining year-round coverage is so critical.

Consider the previous example again, but replace the shed with your home’s garage. You may think that because you stored the snowmobile in your home, it will fall under your homeowner’s policy, but in many cases, it will not. In this way, insurance providers treat snowmobiles much the same as they would any road vehicles stored in the garage. Don’t wait for an unpleasant surprise before taking action to safeguard your recreational vehicles.

Even if you choose to select a basic insurance package, extending your coverage limits is worth considering. View it similarly to the way you view your car; it is easy to envision many scenarios in which potential damages far exceed the initial $500,000 liability limit. No one starts out the snowmobiling season with the desire to think about the potential trouble they might face from a lawsuit. The right policy allows you to put those worries away, focusing on having a safe and exciting winter adventure.

Exploring Coverage Options That Suit Your Needs

So how do you find a policy that features the coverage and the limits that make you feel comfortable? Ultimately, the insurance products that go into your policy will be a matter of what suits your situation best, figuring out what that means in real terms can be confusing.

Putting together a policy doesn’t have to be a challenge, though; with experienced assistance, finding coverage that is both affordable and comprehensive is a simpler affair.

Make the smart, safe choice by pursuing robust coverage comparable to what you would expect for your car. Purchasing the appropriate protection is simplest when you use our DIY Snowmobile Insurance to purchase your extended coverage online.

At Guild Insurance Group, our experienced team will review your purchase to make sure the policy fits your risk profile.

Our professionals are well-versed in the types of issues snowmobilers face and are always ready to help you locate the ideal option for keeping your recreational vehicle safe and secure year-round.

If you fill out the form below we will walk you through purchasing snowmobile insurance to get you ready to start the season. If you would rather speak to a broker to help you answer a few questions we are here for you as well at 204-729-4949.