Snowmobiles are unique vehicles that need specific coverage to protect against common accidents both on and off the snow. Many coverages for snowmobiles is optional, so it is important to find the right coverage to protect you, your passengers and your vehicle.
Most 
insurance policies include coverage such as:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides compensation for damages to the snowmobile caused by fire, wind, hail, lightning, smoke, theft, vandalism and more.
- Collision Coverage: Collision coverage provides compensation for damages to the snowmobile caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Liability: Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause someone else while operating the insured snowmobile.
- Safety Apparel Coverage: Safety apparel coverage can help compensate you if your snowmobile safety gear is lost or damaged.
Additional Coverages
Depending on where you insure, you can also find coverage such as:
- Year-Round Coverage: A year-round snowmobile insurance policy simply refers to a policy that covers you no matter what time of year it is, even if it is summer or spring in your state. This can be especially helpful for damages that occur while the snowmobile is not in use.
- Towed Trailer Coverage: Towed trailer coverage provides compensation if your snowmobile needs to be towed by a trailer.
- Transport Trailer Coverage: Transport trailer coverage can cover your transport trailer while it is moving your snowmobile.
- Parts and Accessories: Parts and accessories coverage offer compensation if additional parts of your snowmobile are lost or damaged due to an accident that otherwise may not be covered under basic snowmobile insurance.
What Does Snowmobile Insurance Not Cover?
Unfortunately, snowmobile insurance won’t cover everything. These policies often exclude damage caused by flood and earthquakes along with manufacturing mistakes and normal wear and tear. For example, if your snowmobile has trouble running in its older years simply because of age or worn parts, repairs will likely not be covered by snowmobile insurance.
Is Snowmobile Insurance Required?
Unlike car insurance, snowmobile insurance isn’t generally required by state law, as these vehicles are not allowed on legal roadways. This doesn’t mean that skipping coverage is the best choice, however. Operating a snowmobile without the proper insurance means that you will have to pay out of pocket for injuries and damages that are suffered by you and your snowmobile or other people.
These expenses can be especially high if there are injuries and hospital bills involved.
However, certain slopes and rental spaces may require you to carry snowmobile insurance if you are going to be riding around other people, such as skiers. Make sure to check wherever you are driving to see if you are required to carry coverage.
In most cases, snowmobiles that you rent will already have liability insurance coverage, but it is always useful to ask to make sure you and everyone else is covered.
How Much is Snowmobile Insurance?
The cost of snowmobile insurance varies greatly depending on several factors, including your:
- Age
- Gender
- Coverage limits
- Deductible
- Value of the snowmobile
- Driving record
Although snowmobiles are not the same as regular vehicles, they still require careful operation and can be responsible for hefty damages or injuries. This is why your driving record is still taken into consideration under your snowmobile insurance premiums. If you have a poor driving record, you may face higher rates for snowmobile insurance. This is also true because certain off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles and dirt bikes are considered “aggressive machines,” partially due to their speed.
Be sure to compare quotes among multiple insurers and ask an insurance agent about ways you can save money on snowmobile insurance no matter where you live.
When Do You Need Snowmobile Insurance?
If you own a snowmobile, you should consider purchasing snowmobile insurance before taking it home. Even if you won’t be on the snow for a while, damages and accidents can happen while it is sitting in your driveway or garage. Without the right coverage, you could be looking at repair or replacement costs for your snowmobile out of pocket after an accident or disaster.
A good snowmobile insurance policy can protect you from heavy financial loss by taking some of that burden.
How Does Snowmobile Insurance Work?
Snowmobile insurance operates similarly to how a normal auto insurance policy works. When you purchase a policy, you typically pay monthly premiums in return for coverage. If an accident occurs while the policy is active, you can file a claim and receive compensation after the claim is approved by your insurer.