Off road insurance coverage?

[Jeepeto]

Has anyone had to try out their coverage off road? How’d it go? I can’t seem to get a straight answer out of Allstate. I really don’t want to get stuck with a bill because my insurance tries to weasel out of a claim.

What are the legal limitations of “full coverage”?

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[aldo98229]

Be aware that you should be covered as long as you are on a road where street vehicles are permitted.

Most off-road trails in western US require a street-legal vehicle registration —i.e., a valid license plate— to be on them. By extension, they are considered regular roads like any other.

This is on the trail closest to me. Notice white sign that reads: “Non Street Lincensed Vehicles Prohibited on National Forest Roads.” Meaning, you need to be on a street legal vehicle to be on it. This is inside the Federally regulated Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

 

[Jeepeto]

Be aware that you should be covered as long as you are on a road where street vehicles are permitted.

Most off-road trails in western US require a street-legal vehicle registration —i.e., a valid license plate— to be on them. By extension, they are considered regular roads like any other.

This is on the trail closest to me. Notice white sign that reads: “Non Street Lincensed Vehicles Prohibited on National Forest Roads.” Meaning, you need to be on a street legal vehicle to be on it. This is inside the Federally regulated Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

I’m assuming this means, as soon as you hit an OHV park you’re on your own. What about something like hells revenge? Dedicated route, but it’s in a recreation area (requires permit) and allows OHVs?

 

[aldo98229]

I’m assuming this means, as soon as you hit an OHV park you’re on your own. What about something like hells revenge? Dedicated route, but it’s in a recreation area (requires permit) and allows OHVs?

Not sure. But I’m pretty sure a trail like the Rubicon, with a federal designation, requires a street legal vehicle designation. Many of these trails are in fact considered “roads.”

 

[Vinman]

Whats the difference between your vehicle getting damaged off road or in a parking lot/driveway? Technically they’re both “offroad”.

 

[JDub11]

This topic has been discussed here before. I'm not sure I would be taking insurance advice from the internet. I'm gonna go out on a limb here but, if you are worried about insurance covering your jeep off road you prolly shouldn't be taking your jeep offroad.

 

[jmccorm]

This topic has been discussed here before. I'm not sure I would be taking insurance advice from the internet.

Good point!
But DO follow my advice. I did something totally crazy!

I sent an email to my insurance agent (Farmers Insurance) and asked. "How does my policy work if I take my new $60k vehicle off-road and out for some rock-crawling? And what if I manage to crumple a fender or roll the vehicle over a time or two by accident?" I was told that I'd be completely covered as an ordinary accident, and that I totally need to invite them the next time I take an offroad adventure.

Your mileage, of course, may vary. But if you've got a halfway decent insurance agent, they're going to respect you for calling and asking rather than assuming and being stupid and asking questions AFTER something bad happens.

If you're shy, just soften the question by saying, "You were thinking ahead about [X] ..." and you were "wondering how your policy might work in that situation if you had an accident..." and "...you wondered if it required any extra endorsements ($$) to your policy..." and "have you seen these types of claims go through before?"

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Your mileage, of course, may vary. But if you've got a halfway decent insurance agent, they're going to respect you for calling and asking rather than assuming and being stupid and asking questions AFTER something bad happens.

Maybe but he did say he asked. So maybe he should drop All State and get a better insurance company. I mean I don't think it is stupid asking here for advice.

I can’t seem to get a straight answer out of Allstate.

 

[jmccorm]

Maybe but he did say he asked. So maybe he should drop All State and get a better insurance company.

True enough. You know, I think the key here is that Allstate is more than one person. If your local person is being stupid, ask someone at the national level who'd be in a position to know. If multiple people are being stupid, then you invoke Executive Customer Service.

Executive Customer Service is the team of people (at very large organizations) who answer all the letters (and even emails these days) that are directly sent to the CEO, President, COO, or other high executive in a company. They have the power to cut through crap and get real answers.

Hope that helps. That, and yeah, switching from Allstate. HA!

PS: You're right, my original reply wasn't so helpful. Hope this makes up for it just a little bit.

 

[SilverRubi]

I have All State and was told I would be covered off road as long as I want competing sanctioned event or on a race course.

 

[BDinTX]

I have All State and was told I would be covered off road as long as I want competing sanctioned event or on a race course.

Same thing I was told by Progressive

 

[Reinen]

Generally speaking, you're covered for off-road accidents as long as it isn't a sanctioned event or race (that's a big out). However it's generally not in your best interest to report such claims. They get counted against you just as much as driving around your neighborhood smacking into everyone and everything. Filing a claim for every pinstripe or enthusiastic rock kiss will send your rates sky high or get you dropped in no time. Fix those yourself. Reserve such claims for royal screw-ups such as accidentally rolling your Jeep down Black Bear Pass, or something of that sort.

 

[calemasters]

Off road insurance coverage?

As per my insurance agent (Allstate), I am covered for off road damage. But they said if I report a claim, my rates will increase and eventually they will get their money back.

 

[AVGeek99]

Reserve such claims for royal screw-ups such as accidentally rolling your Jeep down Black Bear Pass, or something of that sort.

LOL, assuming you survive that is. ?

 

[AVGeek99]

I submitted a claim to Farmers for some off-road damage a couple months ago. They had no issues covering it. When they asked what happened, I didn't necessarily tell them every little detail, but I told them the truth.

I treated it like I would questions from an auditor, provide concise but truthful responses.

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