Land-based RVs: Insurance and your safety
We know that your land-based recreational vehicle, whether it's an ATV, a motorcycle, a snowmobile or a golf cart, can offer both fun in the sun and snow! And your land-based RV can be a real workhorse on your farm or acreage, too. If a land-based RV is part of your play and/or work, we can help protect you if things take an unexpected turn.
Before you hop on, brush up on insurance requirements and safety tips so you can enjoy the ride and Trust in Tomorrow.®
If you have an RV, the short answer is “Yes!”
The long answer is that RV insurance can save you money in the case of damage, an accident, or theft. It protects you from the specific risks you face with your recreational vehicle — coverage that may not be included with your car insurance policy.
Recreational vehicles are used for just that — recreation. Taking it easy. And at Grinnell Mutual, we believe your insurance should be easy, too. That’s why we offer a single competitively priced personal auto policy for your cars, trucks, farm trucks, and land-based RVs.
Personal auto + RV means:
- One policy for all your vehicles, including your toys — ATVs, motorcycles, golf carts, and snowmobiles
- Comprehensive discount packages available
- No limit to the number of vehicles you insure
- Stand-alone ATV policies available for riders 22 or older with a qualifying insurance score
Ok. You’re smart and you’re about ready to call your agent to get RV protection. But you want to know more about the coverages offered before you call.
Here’s a cheat sheet of RV coverages you can ask your agent about.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive insurance covers most damages to your land-based RV for “other than collision” losses such as fire, theft, explosion, glass claims, vandalism, or collision with an animal, minus your deductible.
Collision
Collision insurance coverage pays for damage to your land-based RV when you collide with a car or an object. It also pays for repair costs regardless of fault, up to the value of your land-based RV at the time of loss, minus your deductible.
Liability insurance — Bodily Injury and Property Damage
Bodily Injury and Property Damage are liability coverages that pay monetary damages, such as medical expenses, to people injured in a covered accident for which you are found responsible or for damage to the property of others caused by you. Most states require liability insurance for all registered vehicles.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists coverage protects you if you are injured in a covered accident by a driver without insurance or with insufficient insurance, or by a hit-and-run driver. It also gives you are also protection as a pedestrian.
Medical Payments
Medical Payments coverage provides payment for medical care for you and your passengers for injuries resulting from an accident, regardless of fault. The rising costs of hospital and medical care make this coverage more important than ever.
Your local agent is your best land-based RV resource. Contact them today so you can hit the road.
We believe in rewarding good drivers and responsible customers. That’s why we sweeten the deal with RV specific discounts.
Claims-free
You get a discount if you haven’t had a loss in the last three years.
Paid-in-full
You save money if your policy premium is paid at the beginning of your the policy term.
Multi-unit
You get a discount when your land-based RV is insured on a policy with another motorized unit registered under the same owner(s) and under the same policy.
Call an agent to learn all about our great auto packages, discounts, and rewards.
Your ATV is an all-season farm workhorse — snow plowing, riding fences, moving livestock, or just getting around. Good coverage for your ATV means protection for your day-to-day life on the farm.
You can get your ATV coverage together with your farm truck and other personal autos — and there’s no limit to the number of vehicles.
The multi-unit and paid-in-full discounts are also available for farm-use ATVs. And you get an automatic no-cost attachment for accessory and safety riding apparel coverage up to $3,000 when you carry physical damage coverage.
AVAILABLE COVERAGES*
- Comprehensive (other than collision)
- Collision
- Uninsured Motorist
- Underinsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury
- Property damage
*You can also contact your mutual for other liability and physical damage coverage options.
It pays to be smart with your insurance, but also being smart when driving and maintaining your RV. These 10 tips cover the bases on safety.
1. Inspect the machine.
The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) recommends inspecting for the following for you ride:
- Are the tires and wheels in good condition?
- Are the controls and cable operational?
- Does the chain have proper slack and is it lubricated?
2. Look both ways.
If you're using an ATV on your farm, you might emerge from a ditch and cross the road without checking for traffic. Just like you learned how to cross the street when you were a kid, it's important to look both ways when you're on any ATV.
3. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
If you are driving a recreational vehicle meant for only one person, do not allow passengers. A passenger can interfere with the driver's ability to shift his or her weight to accommodate changing terrain.
4. Choose a vehicle that’s right for your age.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for minimum age and riders. Children under the age of 16 should never operate an adult-sized ATV (90cc or greater) and children under the age of 12 should not operate ATVs at all. Always supervise riders younger than 16.
5. Educate yourself.
Read the manual and follow the instructions and recommendations from the manufacturer. They’re there for a reason. Also, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends taking a hands-on safety training course. Check into ATV-riding courses in your area.
6. Gear up.
We shouldn’t have to tell you it’s a good idea to wear a DOT-compliant helmet (read: WEAR A HELMET), but the ATV Safety Institute also recommends goggles, boots, and gloves. Wind protection, hand and feet warmers, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and extra traction are other items to consider depending on the weather.
7. Don’t drink and ride.
Never operate any vehicle if you’ve consumed alcohol. Not only is it illegal, you’re risking your life and the lives of others.
8. Don’t sink in the drink.
It’s best to go around, not over or through. Avoid ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Frozen or not frozen, driving through or over water is dangerous in all seasons.
9. Keep to the path.
It’s just not a good idea to go off the grid any time of year, but this rule of thumb is especially applicable during bad weather months. Map your journey and make sure someone knows your plan before you leave. And never ride on public roads — ATVs are designed to be operated off-highway.
10. Accept that you aren’t a stunt performer.
Leave the donuts, ramp jumping, and wheelies to the professionals.
Partnership with University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Grinnell Mutual and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital have partnered to provide children and families with educational materials and tools promoting the safe use and operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Use these safety resources to help you and your family practice ATV Safety.
WEB SAFETY RESOURCES
Contact an agent today to learn more about Grinnell Mutual's ATV coverage or get a personalized quote.
The information included here was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice or other advice.
11/2022