The cost of snowmobile insurance can vary by the type of coverage you want and which provider you choose. On average, riders pay around $200/year, which is just under $20/month.
Hi, my name is Chaz, and I’ve been riding snowmobiles for nearly 30 years. I love everything about the sport and have had owned several different machines. This has given me plenty of experience researching and paying for insurance.
In this article, I’ll break down the cost of snowmobile insurance to give you an idea of what you’ll pay. I’ll also show you the differences between basic and more expensive coverage and why you might want one of the other.
Stay safe and get insured.
Table of Contents
The Cost of Snowmobile Insurance
Just like insuring an automobile, you have options when it comes to coverage on a snowmobile. You can choose from different providers and different policies that will provide you with varying amounts of protection.
The average cost of insurance that I’ve paid over the years is around $200/year. This breaks down to under $20/month, which I find very reasonable.
I insure my snowmobiles in Colorado and use Allstate as my provider. It’s important to know that the coverage options you have available will differ by price and location.
I usually only get liability coverage, as it’s cheaper. If you choose an option with better coverage that will have a lower deductible and protect damage to your sled, you can expect to pay quite a bit more than what the average cost is.
You might pay $500/year on the expensive side of things, which is just over $40/month.
How Does Snowmobile Insurance Work?
Snowmobile insurance works just like your auto insurance. You pay a monthly or yearly premium, and you have coverage in case of an accident or theft.
Many states require that you have insurance on your snowmobile to operate it. Even if they don’t, I would recommend purchasing a basic policy because it is relatively cheap and can save you thousands if something terrible happens.
Once you choose a provider and a type of coverage, you’ll have protection that will cover the cost of damage and injury.
A basic liability plan (which is what I use) will pay for a certain amount of injury sustained in an accident and cover the damage to personal property, which would be the snowmobile.
This basic policy doesn’t cover my machine’s damage if I wreck it – only the machine I crash into. I am a safe rider and have never actually been in a snowmobile accident, so I feel comfortable with basic coverage amounts.
If you want the extra peace of mind or feel at more risk of getting into an accident that might cause damage to yourself or your sled, you can get a more comprehensive insurance policy that covers this. You’ll just pay significantly more for it.
How to Save Money on Snowmobile Insurance
There are a few easy ways to save money on snowmobile insurance.
Drive Safely
The first is driving safely and limiting the risk of an accident. The more accidents or claims you have, the higher your insurance premiums will be. Once you have wrecked a few snowmobiles, it can be difficult (or impossible) to get cheap insurance.
Bundle Your Coverage
I use the same insurance provider for my snowmobiles as I do for my cars. By bundling these policies together, I can take advantage of discounts from the provider and save a little money on both.
Keep Coverage Year Round
It might seem weird to be paying for snowmobile insurance during the summer months when you are not out riding. But this can save you money because providers will charge you more to set up a new policy.
Shop Around
Always get a few different quotes from several insurance companies before making a decision. These policies can sometimes be quite different, and you might find that one provider will cost significantly less than another.
How to Choose Snowmobile Insurance
When getting insurance for your snowmobile, you need to choose both a provider and a policy.
If you already have a relationship with a provider, I would recommend asking them about snowmobile coverage because you might be able to bundle policies and save some money. If not, look into any of the major insurance providers in your region.
The well-known names in insurance (Allstate, Geico, State Farm, etc.) should all offer a snowmobile policy. If you choose a lesser-known company, just make sure they have a good reputation and read some customer reviews.
The policy you choose is a personal decision that comes down to your budget and the amount of coverage you think you’ll need.
For me, basic liability coverage is enough. I also make sure to have theft protection in the policy in case it ever gets stolen. If you race or have been in several accidents, it might be a good idea to get more extensive coverage.
FAQs
Here are some common questions relating to the cost of snowmobile insurance.
Why is snowmobile insurance so expensive?
The cost of your snowmobile insurance will be more expensive if you have an expensive machine. This is to cover the replacement cost if it gets stolen or wrecked. More extensive coverages will also cost more.
Do I need insurance on my snowmobile?
It depends on where you live and have your snowmobile registered. Some states, such as New York and Vermont, do require at least liability insurance. Others have no requirements at all.
How does snowmobile insurance work?
Snowmobile insurance works in basically the same way as automobile insurance. A policy will provide compensation and protection against injury, damage, and theft.
The Final Bill
Even though you don’t need an insurance policy for your snowmobile in every state, I would still recommend it. For me, paying around $20/month is worth the peace of mind in knowing that I’ll have help in a worst-case scenario.
How much do you pay for snowmobile insurance? What provider do you use? Let us know in the comments below!
About Chaz Wyland