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Snowmobile Safety Tips – December 2019

Snowmobile Safety Tips

It’s that time of year and winter has arrived, and the snow has begun fall. If you own a snowmobile than you are ready to start riding and enjoying your time on the snowmobile trails. While snowmobiling can be exhilarating experience and fun during the winter season, it can also be a very dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. To protect you and keep you safe here are some important snowmobile safety tips.

Take a snowmobile safety course. Have you taken your safety course? While many states require a snowmobile certificate each state has its own set of rules, laws and regulations. A snowmobile safety course will instruct you on how to ride safely and responsibly, as well as teach you the rules. It is especially essential and helpful for those first-time drivers or riders. You will learn riding techniques that will help you operate the snowmobile and avoid any hazards.

Check the weather forecast and the trail conditions. Before heading out on the trail it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast and trail conditions. You do not want to put yourself or someone else in danger if the trail is frozen, the wind chill is too low, or a blizzard with white out conditions is in the forecast. If this is the case, then you should plan your ride for another day. By checking the weather, it helps you select the proper clothing for the day.

Wear proper cloths and protective gear. Staying warm and dry during your ride is essential to staying safe and making your ride more enjoyable. Wear a snowmobile suit, which consists of a jacket and insulated bibs. Make sure you are dressed in layers under your snowmobile suit. Make sure you stay away from cotton in case it gets wet, if that happens it will freeze and that will not be good. Choose polyester blends to hold moisture away from your body. If you do not have a full-face helmet, make sure you wear goggles or a face shield, socks (NO cotton), waterproof gloves, winter hat, face-mask and winter boots. Always wear a DOT-approved helmet, not only to keep you warm but to protect your head from injury. Make sure children have a helmet that properly fits them.

Inspect your snowmobile before your ride. Before you hit the trail make sure your snowmobile is running properly. Make sure you have your owner’s manual handy on your ride for extra safety. It’s important to follow the recommended service schedule to keep it maintained and running smoothly. Make sure you check fuel and oil levels, battery, brakes, drive belt, skis, throttle, handlebars, headlights and taillights before your ride. Before you take off on your snowmobile, make sure you allow your snowmobile time to run for at least a minute to warm up.

Bring a buddy. Riding with a friend or in a group is fun, but also safer, especially on trails you have never taken before. It’s always a good idea to have someone with you in case your snowmobile breaks down or you get into an accident. Make sure you tell a family member or a friend your plans and route for your ride, just in case you get stranded. FYI, cell phones don’t always work in remote areas.

Carry a first-aid kit, emergency kit and repair kit. It’s essential to carry a basic first-aid kit in snowmobile in case of injury. Your kit should include disinfecting wipes, bandages, hand sanitizer, gauze, adhesive tape and Band-Aids. In addition, carry an emergency kit with waterproof matches, flashlight, compass, map, blanket, water, snacks and a knife. A repair kit should include duct tape, tools, spare belt, tow rope, spark plugs and pry bar.

Stay Alert. It’s important to be observant and watch for obstacles in your path, such as rocks, fallen trees, barbed wire fences, ditches, open water, other snowmobiles, snowbanks, animals, hikers and skiers.

Avoid frozen rivers. It’s impossible to gauge the thickness of ice. Ice can easily crack and give way under your snowmobile.

Do not speed. By driving at a moderate speed, it will help you to react quickly to a situation on the trail and will help you to avoid an accident. Many trails have posted speed limits to follow.

Stay on the trail. Make sure you stay on the marked trails as they have been groomed for you and are less likely to have any dangerous hazards. Going off the trail could result in accidents as you are treading in unfamiliar territory, and you may also get lost and not be able to find your way back. Many public trails run close to private property. Unless you have received permission from the landowner, stay on the marked trail. Failure to comply may result in a trail being closed to the public in the future. Be a responsible rider by following the posted signs and trail markers.

Driver should be the age of 16 or older. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that children under the age of 16 do not operate a snowmobile. The reason is due to the lack of skills needed to safely operate the vehicle and due to their stature can be easily injured.

Children under the age of six should never ride as a passenger according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The snowmobile can ride rough and it takes a strong person to hold on tight, especially for long periods of time. Children under the age of six lack this strength.

Do not overload your snowmobile. Make sure you review your manufacturer’s guide for the approved number of passengers and also the amount of weight it may be able to carry. Exceeding these maximums either from an additional passenger or heavy gear can increase your chances of an accident or injury.

Never drink and drive.

It’s the law. Just like driving a vehicle, operating a snowmobile while under the influence can lead to delayed response and you could cause an accident and injury to yourself or someone else.

Do not pull people on anything behind your snowmobile. Snowmobiles were not designed to pull sleds, skiers or saucers and it’s unsafe.

We hope these snowmobile safety tips lead to a fun and safe riding experience. If you’re looking for snowmobile insurance or shopping for new snowmobile insurance give us a call, we would be happy to quote your snowmobile insurance. We specialize in snowmobile insurance coverage tailored to meet your unique needs.

What is Umbrella Insurance – April 2019

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What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is an additional liability insurance that will protect you financially in the event you are sued for a large amount of money. It provides additional coverage if you are faced with costs due to a liability claim. Umbrella policies provide coverage in excess of your auto, homeowners, boat, or business and can be applied to all if you have these policies bundled. Umbrella insurance will step in when your primary insurance coverage isn’t enough.

What does umbrella cover?

An umbrella policy provides two types of coverage: liability and defense costs. Umbrella policies will cover an excess of what your primary insurance excludes and/or additional coverage beyond the limits set in your other insurance. It provides coverage for a variety of situations if your held responsible for bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury. An umbrella policy will help pay for these liability-related costs.

What does Umbrella insurance not cover?

Umbrella policies do not cover physical property damage. It does not cover damage to your own home or vehicle; for e.g. someone steals everything in your house, or a hailstorm totals your car; an umbrella policy will not step in as coverage. This would fall under your homeowners or auto insurance coverage.

What does personal umbrella insurance cover?

Defense cost – If you are sued your umbrella insurance coverage steps in to pay for lawyer fees and processing expenses that will help defend yourself in court. Any remainder umbrella coverage not used for defense cost may help pay for any associated liability expense you owe.
Teen Drivers – Did you know the crash risk is 3x higher for 16-19-year old, and teens account for about 8-10% of fatal crashes every year. This creates high risk and high liability. Having umbrella insurance coverage boosts your auto liability limit to protect against these increase risks. Teen drivers typically raise your insurance premiums. Having an umbrella policy is a great way to provide additional coverage at a lower cost, rather than adding the extra line of liability on your primary auto insurance.
Intoxicated party attendee – You host a party or a BBQ cookout at your house. One of your guests drinks too much and is intoxicated. Your guest leaves your party and, on his/her drive home causes an accident. Depending on your state, you may be partially liable for his/her expenses. A lawyer could make the claim you over served him and did not cut him off, you did not stop him from leaving by taking his keys, offering him to stay the night, or offer to call a taxi/cab. People don’t realize one of the most surprising and expensive liability claims they find themselves in is indirect liability. Umbrella insurance coverage can help protect against this when homeowners’ insurance likely won’t.
Dog bites – Do you own a dog? You walk your dog and another dog spooks him. Both dogs get into a fight, and your dog bites that dog. Your dog also bites the other dogs’ owner while in the mist of pulling the dogs apart. This would cause bodily injury to both the owner and the dog. If your dog bites first or attacks person your will be responsible for medical expense, lost wages and even pain and suffering. This may not be covered by homeowner’s insurance, especially if you have a dog that is on the excluded dog list, such as a Chow, German Shepherd, Pitbull, Rottweiler, Akita and there are a few more. Umbrella insurance coverage could step in to pay for the costs.
Pain and suffering – You have an accident and are found at-fault for the incident. You could be sued for “pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering is one of the costliest liability expenses. It could lead to hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in some cases. Umbrella insurance coverage can help cover these costs; the minimum umbrella limit is $1 million.