hey all,

i look to be making my first trip to quebec this year. i've been self educating, with many helpful posts throughout this board. 1 thing that strikes me is the insurance requirement.
$500,000 liability coverage ??? wow that seems like a lot! I have $100,000 coverage currently...

is this correct? I ride from NH, and Maine/VT I believe only require 100K in coverage.

I got this info from the fcmq website....along with the $220 fees to register for the season.

thoughts/comments are welcome.

thanks!
let it snow...

edit: well, as i continue to read further, I noticed the following on a separate page:
The trail permit prices include the cost of the mandatory liability insurance under the terms of article 19 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles, as well as the applicable taxes.

therefore, looks like i'm covered! hooray! am i reading correctly? thanks again.

correct insurance is included. Make sure you have theft though, things aren't as bad as hype makes it but still a legitimate issue there.

i just bought full coverage this year. i believe my policy covers me up in canada as well. i do hear tons of hype about the theft....i figure if only 10% of the hype is true, its still a concern. especially since i've never been up there, feel a little out of my element anyways...

Bring a cable and lock your sleds together even when you think they are safe. It only takes a minute and there are alot of other sleds that arent locked up making them an easier target. You wont be dissappointed, Its awesome up there!!!

One note that may or may not apply to you. If you are sledding in to Quebec you can buy your pass at the first club you come too. Technically you will need your own liability insurance on your machine until you actually get the pass. If you are trailering in, no issue....

what type of lock/chain do you recommend/chain? a 6 foot cable?
also, where do you typically lock your sleds? around the track?

thanks !

Around the spindles.We use this type of lock (Top of the page left) Page 333

http://www.royaldistributing.com/servlet/M...age=index1.html.

Even a $20 cable and lock is harder for a theif to get around than the guy next to you with no cable!! NOTHING is scumbag proof. The object is to make it harder for them to steal your sled and noticing the cable and moving on to an unlocked sled, theifs are lazy. Theft is heavily over hyped, But is does exist so take 1 minute to save your whole trip!! :beerchug:

Just go to walmart and buy a 12' coated steel cable with a lock. They coil pretty easy and fit in the trunk of the sled. We put the cable through the track and suspension.

If you have the jerry can gas tank on the REV pass it through the handle too.

It's really not a lot of work.

:banghead:
Snowmobile Theft- Vacation Ruined- Holiday Terminated
Zen's Rant about Snowmobile Theft


Photo by Zen - Lake Taurau, March 2005

'Copyright' zis 2005

Dec 5th 2006:
No matter where you ride, you'll want to be WISE about security for your equipment, and I mean ALL your equipment. When you arrive at your motel, hotel, cabins, b&b, whatever, ask your motel operator for his advice, on local theft issues, and then, DO WHAT HE SAYS!

A few basics on Snowmobile Theft for the New Man

1) If you wanna go out to the Bar, restaurant, or exotic Dance show, always.. ALWAYS leave your sleds locked up back at your motel, hotel etc, under the watchful eye of your accommodations operator.

2) Always keep your registration papers in your POCKET. If you then do have something go missing, you can prove to the cops that you indeed DID have something. Trust me on this.

3)If you have dealings with Police, be nice, be humble, be sober. They are just trying to do their job, and it is difficult at best, because you are English speaking. RESPECT the officer as you would respect a cop at home. Remember, you are not in your own country, and NO, there is NOT a conspiracy between the Police in Canada and the Motels to steal sleds and sell them. This is B.S..

4) When in a restaurant, one person in your group sits by the window, and watches the sleds. In some busier areas, sleds can disappear in seconds. This is YOUR responsibility.

5) Theft is NOT WORSE in Canada than it is anywhere in NY, VT, MI or any other place.
Anywhere you have lots of assets, ie trucks, trailers, sleds, you will also have thieves. Don't be naive, be wise. Do not allow some asshole to ruin your snowmobile vacation - after all, you have waited all year for this holiday.

6) They will take it all. Some people have stopped for gas after they cross the border, and they loose everything - truck trailer, and sleds, and gear. If you stop for a meal and gas, lock up, and post a guard. No I am not fooling around. Just DO IT. Nothing is a tastier package, than a brand new Escalade pickup, with a huge aluminum enclosed trailer.. MMMMMM! You are a driving billboard pal! Sometimes, the thief will actually follow you for hours, waiting for his chance to rob you. Stealing is his business. Remember, he is a thief, and a damn good thief. Your ass is grass if you don't pay attention.

7) Do not leave your keys in the sled. Duhh! If the cops see this, you will get a fine for 120.cnd in Quebec. Don't be lazy. I realize you are on holidays, but that doesn't mean you act stupid. You must watch your speed, or you will crash eventually. Same with snowmobile theft, watch your stuff, or eventually, you will be robbed.

8) Once your stuff is stolen, forget it. Chances of recovery are less than 1%.

9) Many Quebec regions are publicizing the fact that theft is no longer a problem. True, many regional tourism agencies have done some work with the police to lessen the problem, but this is all through AWARENESS training. They try to get the Motel owner to Teach YOU to watch your ass. Unfortunately, YOU do not listen.

YES, it is YOUR responsibility. Blaming everyone other than yourself, will not bring your stuff back. True, there are times that you have honestly don all you can to keep your family secure, and they got you. This can happen, but 90% of the time, there was more you could have done. If this comment makes your blood boil - you are not taking responsibility. You need to grow up just a tad. Ok Ok, I will cut you a little slack, but just a little, and that only because I don't enjoy getting hate mail.

All of my Zen Motel sponsors, have taken lots of precautions, and spent lots of cash to keep you safe, but are you doing your part?

I have heard Americans say - screw it - the insurance company will replace the sled for me. This is a totally IRRESPONSIBLE attitude. Then, after your sled is gone, you whine and cry on the Internet. Guess what - that makes you look really dumb. If I had my truck stolen, I wouldn't brag about it. I would be asking myself some hard questions. Did I do all that I could reasonably do?

Sermon mode OFF;

Now go forth; Ride Safe - Ride Sober & Watch your Ass.
Do not let some jerk ruin your holiday!


zw

I couldn't agree more.Two years ago I went to New Brunswick,Canada to meet some friends for a long weekend of riding.Had my sled in the back of the truck.We went out for a couple beers and shoot some pool at a local establishment for about three hours.Backed the truck upto a wall to make it harder to steal the sled,locked the truck and went inside.When we came out,truck and sled were gone.Yeah,I had insurance on both,but this happened at the beginning of February and the insurance company dragged their ass for 2 months to payoff on the truck because they couldn't get a police report from local RCMP.Seems that info is confidential.Sled was insured with another company and they payed off after 30day waiting period.As you can see,my snowmobiling season was over.They also never recovered the truck or sled.