With winter just around the corner, many snowmobile enthusiasts are getting their rides ready for the season. While you’re changing the oil and checking the treads, don’t forget to ensure that you have enough recreational vehicle insurance to protect your sled. Here's what to know about snowmobile insurance so that you can get the right policy.

A Guide to Snowmobile Insurance

Is snowmobile insurance required?

Connecticut doesn’t mandate that riders carry recreational vehicle insurance, but your lender may require coverage if you financed your snowmobile. However, you should still protect your investment even if you own the vehicle outright. Snowmobiles are expensive and potentially dangerous, and the right policy will cover costly expenses if an accident occurs.

Why do I need liability coverage?

As much fun as snowmobiles are, they also travel at high speeds in uneven terrain, making them potentially hazardous. At any moment, you could lose control and hit someone else or collide with another vehicle.

Injuries caused by snowmobile accidents won’t be covered by other policies, which is why liability coverage is important. This policy will cover medical bills and personal property damage associated with an accident, protecting you from expensive lawsuits.

Do my other policies protect my snowmobile?

Home insurance may compensate you for a snowmobile that's stolen or damaged while parked at your house. An auto policy may also cover damage if you get into an accident while towing the sled. However, only specialized snowmobile coverage will protect your vehicle out on the snow.

Collision insurance will pay for repairs to your vehicle if you hit a fence or large rock, and collision coverage protects against damage caused by animals, hail, and other perils. Snowmobile repairs can be expensive, so these policies can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Whether you need this coverage depends on how often you ride and the value of the snowmobile. If you have a newer sled and take it out frequently, having as much protection as possible is usually best.