PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ATV INSURANCE Choosing insurance coverage for your ATV

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1 Choosing insurance coverage for your ATV

2 Whether it s to go hunting, fishing or on a hiking trip, the all-terrain vehicle has a growing fan base in Quebec. Although ATVs are safe, even the most careful drivers can get into an accident. That s why it s vital to get the right coverage for your vehicle before venturing onto the trails. in Quebec FQCQ member clubs have km MARKED and maintained trails. Source : Transport Québec, 2009 LICENSED VEHICLES 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. What does ATV insurance include? 2. How is the cost of insurance calculated? 3. What do I have to do in the event of a loss? 4. Checklist for ATV outings 3

4 WHAT DOES ATV INSURANCE INCLUDE?

5 ATV insurance is: Mandatory coverage: Civil liability insurance Options: Coverages for damage to your vehicle Add-ons: Airmedic coverage or Legal Access Insurance 5

6 MANDATORY COVERAGE In Quebec, ATV drivers must by law own civil liability insurance worth at least $500,000. Therefore, if you are responsible for an accident that occurs on a trail, it s your civil liability insurance that can pay for the injuries caused to others. For that reason, insurers strongly recommend getting up to $1 or $2 million of civil liability coverage, to cover all your bases. WHAT DOES THE SAAQ PAY? The SAAQ covers the bodily injuries sustained by an ATV driver or passenger only if the vehicle is struck by a car as it is crossing the road. 6

7 THE OPTIONS If you wish to lower your insurance costs, you should think about the Specified perils (B4) coverage. You will then be covered for fires and theft, but other perils, such as vandalism and glass breakage (windshield), will be excluded. The Coverage against perils of collision and upset (B2) covers damages to your ATV in the event of loss of control or collision with another ATV. Comprehensive excluding collision or upset (B3) covers you in the event of fire, theft, vandalism and other perils. 7

8 OTHER COVERAGE Accident Benefits Endorsement 34 or Q.E.F. No. 34 provides for the reimbursement of certain medical expenses and pays an amount to your family in the event of death. Replacement Value coverage Endorsement 43 or Q.E.F. No. 43 entitles you to a reimbursement based on the price you paid. When necessary, damaged parts will be replaced by new parts. If you decide to replace the damaged vehicle with another vehicle or if you choose to replace certain parts of greater value, you will have to pay the difference. 8

9 ADD-ONS Airmedic coverage Airmedic offers emergency medical transportation by helicopter or airplane. Airmedic is well positioned to serve you anywhere in Quebec. La Capitale is the only insurer to offer emergency medical service, as a result of its exclusive partnership with Airmedic. Clients get free Airmedic family coverage when they also insure their ATV and car or home with us. In a remote area? If something happens while you are in a remote area, having a way to ask for help could save your life. The options available to you include cell phone, satellite phone and SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. Get the info you need before setting out. Real-life case 9

10 Legal Access Insurance Legal Access Insurance gives you the financial means to get help and advice from the lawyer of your choice. ATV accident If you are involved in an ATV accident that s not covered by the SAAQ, you will have to take legal action against the person who caused the damage in order to obtain compensation. Legal Access insurance is therefore a valuable asset: It covers part of the professional fees charged by your lawyer. Manufacturing or latent defects If, in spite of all the precautions you have taken (inspection, maintenance), it turns out that your ATV has a defect, the vendor must be made aware of the situation immediately. Legal Access insurance is therefore a valuable asset: It enables you to consult a lawyer to get advice about your rights and find out if you can take legal action against the vendor. 10

11 HOW IS THE COST OF INSURANCE CALCULATED? Each insurer has its own formula! ATV insurance generally takes the following elements into account: Engine strength ATV category Purpose of use Driver s age Driver s experience The area in which you plan to ride

12 Deductibles The deductible is the amount you must pay in the event of a loss. The amount selected impacts the cost of insurance: The higher your deductible, the lower your premium, and vice versa. Maximum reimbursement amounts (limits) The amounts selected also impact your premium. For example, if you add accessories or equipment to your vehicle, calculate their value. Then, check to see if the maximum reimbursement amount under your insurance policy does indeed cover all your equipment. ATV 12

13 THE FACTS ABOUT STORAGE CREDIT No storage credit is granted for ATVs. Why? Because the premium is calculated taking seasonal use into account. The cost is then spread out over the entire year. That means that you don t need to consider storing your vehicles. You can go out for a ride anytime without worrying about your insurance. 13

14 3 WAYS TO SAVE 1. Be a safe driver You will more likely see a reduction in your premium with an accident-free driving record. 2. Join a club 1 2 Inform your insurer if you are a member of an ATV riders club or association. Your membership might entitle you to attractive discounts! 3. Bundle your insurance with the same insurer 3 Bundling your Home, Auto and Leisure Vehicle insurance with the same insurer could save you a considerable amount on most of these coverage s. This is also valid if you bundle the insurance of family members living under the same roof. 14

15 WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS?

16 2 3 WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THEFT OR VANDALISM? A minor fender-bender with no injuries? Fill out a Joint Report of Automobile Accident 2. Damage to someone else s property or accident with injuries? Remain at the scene and call the police Notify your insurer and verify your coverage s. 4. Have urgent repair work done. 5. Keep all your receipts. How to file a claim Contact your insurer to report the damage sustained and file a claim, if appropriate. You need to know that reporting a loss is not the same thing as claiming an indemnity! You are responsible for reporting any loss to your insurer as soon as you become aware of it. 16

17 CHECKLIST FOR ATV OUTINGS Going for a ride on your ATV? Whether you re just going out for a couple of hours or for a several-day trip, if you take a few simple measures, you ll get maximum enjoyment out of your ATV, with full peace of mind. 3X The number of Canadians driving ATVs has tripled in the LAST 10 YEARS. 17

18 Be well informed when you set out You need to know: the laws and regulations that apply to driving ATVs in the region you will be in the forecast and trail conditions. Plan your route based on the FQCQ s network of trails. If you must cross a frozen lake or river, check on the conditions before you set out. Have $ of civil liability insurance 18

19 Be well prepared when you set out Get a mechanical inspection of your ATV before each trip. Put together a survival kit that includes a trail map, matches and candles, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and drinking water. Don t drink alcohol. Have the following documents on you: trail permit, registration and proof of insurance, driver s licence and certificate of competence, if any. 19

20 Make sure you have everything you might need! Wear clothes suited to the weather conditions and the mandatory protective gear: shoes, protective helmet or safety glasses, if your helmet is not equipped with a visor. Don t forget that your vehicle must be equipped with: a white headlight, which must be switched on at all times red position and brake lights a rearview mirror on the left side of the vehicle an exhaust system a braking system an odometer. red position and brake lights odometer exhaust system braking system white headlight rearview mirror on the left side 20

21 By INSURING YOUR ATV based on your needs and by being a safe and responsible driver, you can drive with peace of mind. HAPPY TRAILS! HEAD OFFICE 625 Saint-Amable St C.P Quebec QC G1K 9E ABOUT LA CAPITALE GENERAL INSURANCE A subsidiary of La Capitale Civil Service Mutual, La Capitale General Insurance is experiencing impressive growth and now ranks among the three largest property and casualty insurers in Quebec.