Getting a head start on insurance for winter toys

November 15, 2023 Auto Seasonal

As the vibrancy of fall melds into the exciting allure of snow-covered landscapes, we know you can’t wait to pull out your snowmobile or off-road vehicle from your shed or garage. You’ve probably started maintenance work to ensure it’s ready to hit Canada’s beautiful winter trails.

But if there’s anything we know about winter toys, it’s that they’re not the easiest vehicles to maintain or control, especially when plowing through unfamiliar terrains.

Simply put, they are as fun as they are risky. Operating off-road vehicles can expose you to all kinds of risks, such as high speeds, terrain-related hazards, lack of protection from surroundings, and more. It’s always best to know the risks involved and how to protect yourself best.

For experienced winter toy owners, this is the time to ensure your off-road vehicle insurance is up to date or add your newer winter toys to your insurance policy. In this article, we’ll present a comprehensive overview of the following topics:

The importance of snowmobile insurance coverage.
How the cost of snowmobile insurance is determined.
Considerations for selecting a policy.
How to obtain a free quote.

Let’s dive in and see why and how to give yourself and your toy(s) all the protection available.

Importance of snowmobile insurance: Should I get snowmobile insurance?

Yes, you should!

More importantly, you should get coverage that caters to your needs – not a one-size-fits-all insurance policy.

So, why should you get snowmobile insurance coverage?

For starters, you need liability insurance on your snowmobile or off-road vehicle in order to drive it off of your property. In addition, it helps to cover substantial costs in case of injuries, damages, or loss as a result of related accidents or theft.

A typical insurance policy for winter toys at Westland Insurance provides year-round coverage to help you deal with snowmobile-related accidents, even during the off-season.

Additionally, it could help you cover the cost of other drivers’ repairs if you’re at fault in an accident with another off-road vehicle of any kind. It could also help with damage from road vehicle collisions.

Types of snowmobile insurance

When insuring your snowmobile, it’s important to examine the various coverage options available. Let’s jump right in, and explore the key types of coverage you may want to consider:

Comprehensive coverage: Helps you cover the cost of replacement or repairs in the case of non-collision events such as fire, vandalism, or theft.
a. Accessory coverage: This may be attached to your comprehensive coverage if you have custom parts or accessories that weren’t originally part of your snowmobile brand/model. This coverage may help cover the cost of loss or damage to the accessories.
Collision coverage: May help cover the cost of repairs if you’re involved in an off-road vehicle accident. This coverage applies in the case of a collision with another skidoo, trees, or other objects. It’s also important to note that you need collision coverage on your vehicle to qualify for coverage for a loss due to an accident while trailering your vehicle.
Liability coverage: This coverage may provide financial protection in case of accidents. The various types of snowmobile liability coverage include the following:
a. Property damage liability coverage: This type of liability coverage may help you cover the cost of repairs. This applies when you’re found responsible for damages to another person’s property, such as their home, fence, or other structures on their property, while on your snowmobile.
b. Bodily injury liability coverage: This type of liability coverage may help you cover the expenses of a third party in the case that you’re found liable for their injuries.
Accident Benefits: If you’re in an accident, this coverage may help you cover the cost of medical bills for you and possibly your passengers.
Underinsured or Uninsured motorists This coverage provides a financial safeguard if you’re involved in a collision with another driver who has insufficient insurance coverage or none at all to pay for damages to winter toys.

How much does snowmobile insurance cost in Canada?

Snowmobile insurance costs vary based on several factors:

Province or location: This is a major factor that affects snowmobile insurance costs. Areas with tougher trails or a higher prevalence of skidoo accidents attract higher premiums. Additionally, various provinces have different provincial snowmobile associations and regulations, which may affect the nature and cost of your policy.
Brand and model: High-performance and more expensive brands and models are more expensive to insure.
Limit of your coverage: Higher and more holistic coverages result in higher premiums.
Claims and accident history: If you have a history of at-fault accidents, you’ll likely have to pay a higher premium. Individuals with fewer at-fault claims pay lesser premiums.
Deductible: The higher your deductible – that is, your out-of-pocket payment – the lower your premium. By choosing a higher deductible, you accept to cover an increased amount of the upfront costs in the event of a claim.
Experience: If you prove that you have extensive snowmobile experience, your insurance costs may be lowered. This also applies if you take snowmobile safety courses.

Here’s a breakdown of how snowmobile insurance coverage differs between provinces:

Snowmobile insurance coverage in Canadian provinces:

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan:

Mandatory coverage often includes liability insurance.
Additional coverages are available for added protection.
Premium costs are influenced by location, snowmobile type, and claims history.
Trail access requirements may apply in certain regions.

Ontario:

Mandatory coverage typically includes liability insurance.
Additional coverages are available for enhanced protection.
Premiums can be higher due to a higher incidence of accidents.
Insurance is often needed for trail access.

Quebec:

Mandatory coverage includes liability insurance.
Optional coverages are available for added protection.
Premiums can vary based on factors like location.
Insurance may be needed for trail access in certain areas.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia:

Mandatory coverage is typically required and includes liability insurance.
Optional coverages are available.
Premiums may vary based on location and other factors.
Insurance for trail access is common.

Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island:

Mandatory coverage includes liability insurance.
Optional coverages are available for more protection.
Premiums can be influenced by location and other factors.
Trail access may require insurance.

However, considering the factors above, as snowmobile insurance costs vary from individual to individual. Therefore, it’s always best to build an insurance policy tailored to your needs.

Do all off-road vehicles need to be registered?

That’s not always the case. If the off-road vehicle is exclusively used on private property, there’s no requirement for registration or insurance. Nonetheless, this changes when the vehicle is utilized on public land. When operating outside of private property, it’s necessary to register and insure the off-road vehicle if you intend to use it on public land.

That being said, we still recommend insuring all off-road vehicles for peace of mind and safety.

Get a free snowmobile insurance quote from Westland Insurance

Not sure how to go about insuring your winter toys? Don’t worry – we’re here to ensure you get a policy tailored to meet your unique needs. We’ll walk you through every step, so you know exactly what your policy covers.

While at it, you might be able to save on premiums by bundling your snowmobile policy with your home or auto insurance policies.

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