Say you have a sled with Liability only, you crash another sled why should they pay for the cost to repair it? Recreation vehicles in general are big losers to insurance companies. They are not profitable to them so they are strict on what they cover. It is bullshit, I agree but some companies will cover you for any sled you drive. its a state specific coverage. Check into West Bend insurance. They are based in Wisconsin.

 

I don't disagree on the liability comment. What pisses me off is, why is it so different than a vehicle (rhetorical question). I pay to have insurance for damage/injury, and just because my sled is out of commission, I get screwed by not having coverage on another sled I'm going to rent/borrow ... one that potentially is worth less than my current one!?! God I hate insurance companies :wall:

State Farm won't even allow for a temporary policy. Ridiculous

 

my guess is the risk of having to pay for a totaled out snowmobile. I bet if you looked into the claims most snowmobile claims are totaled vs cars where a lot of them they can fix. they want to keep the snowmobile pool as small as possible.

 

I've been in the Insurance business for almost 30 years, I now do financial planning. Everyone on this site knows someone who bought a new sled with no money down, drove it for 3 months then totaled it. Never even made a payment. Half of sled claims are bogus, that is the biggest reason it's expensive for the amount of usage, and the coverage is limited. If you really need an extra sled, come get my spare. I have insurance on it.

 

The very reason i will only rent sleds from a business that offers insurance

And most have a deductible of at least $1,500.00 , but its better then nothing on a totaled sled

Cant afford to take that chance anymore , especially with all the idiots out there driving in your lane around corners , and most without any type of insurance also

I learned the hard way a few years back

Anyways

I still can't believe how many rental places i have called that didn't offer any insurance at all when asked , and how many people probably THOUGHT they where covered by default

We rent travel trailers also in the summer with only a $500.00 deductible

 

A good Independent insurance agent that will go to bat for you is what you need:thumbsup: I know I can get insurance cheaper, but my agent is worth it when it comes to situations that are questionable.

 

sorry this is insurance. it works on a per vehicle basis. If you rented a car, that renter would provide a policy. Now that is because insurance for vehicles is A)more reasonable B) more policies to write. If your dealer isn't in the rental business, then you are on your own, or play at your own risk. You could put insurance on that sled, but state farm writes them at a 6 month minimum. You don't get that much back to cancel because they already know it is a seasonal item.

I quit renting sleds due to insurance. It is so expensive it will make you head spin. Sure i could do the waiver thing. However, i just don't trust that, or i don't need the headache/stress of it.

The insurance deal isn't BS or unfair. They just don't accommodate to your situation as it isn't profitable enough to do it. No agent is going to bat for you either. No one is gonna stick their neck on the line for 15 buck commission.

Now if i was a dealer... oh wait, i am. I'd never send out a "loaner" sled. Not because i don't want to, or wouldn't like to. The liability of it is so great, its just not worth it. smart business. Is that guys one ride worth a lawsuit? i'd say no. Now that is nice of him to let you do it for sure.

To sum it up. Insurance is not insurance. it isn't equal. Each has a policy that can be written any which way. Nothing to be assumed. Now you might not like the answer, but this is the truth. Snowmobiles are not a business that is high profit, so they don't have a ton of different policies. Very basic. I personally will never ride a sled without insurance, as an accident can happen to anyone/anywhere.

P.S. I also have state farm. 3 sleds under it. Everytime a new sled not on the policy is going to rode, it has to be added to be covered.

 

If you drive safe and stay in your own lane you will never be liable for anything. Insurance is for the dangerous riders.

 

Lawyers love hearing this

 

Have you tried calling some other insurance companies? Maybe an insurance broker would be a quicker/easier call.

If you are covered for liability that's the big one. If you crash the sled just buy it and fix it yourself?

I recall years ago calling my insurance company to inquire about coverage on my motorcycle if a friend is riding it. I was told yes it is covered but to call them if I'm going to do this. Why would I waste my time calling if I was just told it is covered?

 

Why not have your dealer print a buyer's order for the sled you are taking. You can sign it,insure it and rip it up when you get back. If something happens this is all you would need for proof of ownership.