Off road insurance coverage?

[Outrun]

I rolled my TJ off a 700' cliff off road. Insurance paid for recovery and vehicle.

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[Jeepeto]

I rolled my TJ off a 700' cliff off road. Insurance paid for recovery and vehicle.

Holy crap. Glad you made it out of that one. Assuming this is on a designated shelf road somewhere? Black bear, chicken corners or the like?

 

[Outrun]

Holy crap. Glad you made it out of that one. Assuming this is on a designated shelf road somewhere? Black bear, chicken corners or the like?

It was in Angeles National Forest. Recovery gone bad. Nobody was injured.

 

[Jeepeto]

It was in Angeles National Forest. Recovery gone bad. Nobody was injured.

Thats quite a story. Glad you're okay, and insurance covered the damage.

 

[Jeepeto]

So far, I feel comfortable that I could argue for coverage on designated routes, in national forests/parks/etc. I may be a bit concerned with OHV parks from now on... I just wish my agent would give me a straight answer. It is concerning

 

[kbp810]

Have had my share of off-road related claims over the years; including off-road parks. Was always covered without question, though it's always fun to answer that "what was the nearest crossroads where the accident occurred" question, lol. Like mentioned earlier on in the thread, I've been told the only time it wouldn't be covered, if it was related to a timed competitive event.

 

[wibornz]

Insurance is different from state to state, so read your policy.

So far, I feel comfortable that I could argue for coverage on designated routes, in national forests/parks/etc. I may be a bit concerned with OHV parks from now on... I just wish my agent would give me a straight answer. It is concerning

Both of the pics that posted of rolled Jeeps were in ORV parks. The Gladiator was at Bundy Hill Off Road park, the 2dr Jeep was at Bear Wallow that is part of the Hatfield and McCoy OHV recreation area. So I would not be cconcerned about OHV parks

 

[AcesandEights]

For the love of GAWD you don't have to be concerned in OHV parks, "jeep" trails, driving across your brother's corn field, making your way across country, etc. You have to be concerned if there is an exclusion in your policy language (racing).

 

[AcesandEights]

So far, I feel comfortable that I could argue for coverage on designated routes, in national forests/parks/etc. I may be a bit concerned with OHV parks from now on... I just wish my agent would give me a straight answer. It is concerning

You don't have to argue for coverage. If you purchased a policy and paid the premium you are covered, the contract is "bound" and you have coverage for those things that are not excluded.

It's not concerning. You have a copy of your policy, what is a personal vehicle, what is a covered vehicle, what is a collision, then read the exclusions.

 

[Thane]

Whatever the agent says is not your policy.
Read your policy for yourself to know coverage and exclusions...

If you are not comfortable with contract language ask your attorney to explain it, not the insurance sales agent.

 

[rcadden]

Agree with everything said thus far, and will add that if you ARE trying to get an answer from your agent, MAKE SURE you get it via email (ie. in writing) vs on the phone.

That way, if, for whatever reason, you need to argue in the future, you've got their "word" in writing for the legal folks. The insurance company could still argue that their employee isn't their policy-writer, etc, but it puts the onus on them to prove that it wasn't a company statement, as opposed to the onus being on you to prove that they said it at all.

 

[andrew4fins]

Insurance underwriter here. Read your policy. Look for terms like all perils and exclusions. Those are the key terms. If it’s not specifically excluded then typically it’s covered. This is personal auto. Commercial Auto is a whole other ball of wax. Got all sorts of coverages and symbols. Usually most personal auto pols are all perils and will typically exclude racing and commercial use type exposures. Doesn’t mean adjuster can’t try to deny you if you roll down a hill while off roading but doesn’t mean you can’t fight it either. Depends on amount of claim. Lawyers cost the money. Why the companies will pay out vs fighting. Legal costs are insane. Insurance policies are contracts of adhesion…means company wrote it so it will be interpreted by a judge as much in the favor of the policyholder as possible. Most carriers will not tell you upfront if a hypothetical situation is covered. They will refer you to your policy. Cheers.

 

[johngalt312]

Whatever the agent says is not your policy.
Read your policy for yourself to know coverage and exclusions...

If you are not comfortable with contract language ask your attorney to explain it, not the insurance sales agent.

Get it in writing from your agent and it can become your policy!

 

[Thane]

All of the contracts I have reviewed start with only the policy defines the agreement...

Read your policy, don't ask a salesperson for an opinion, worthless.

 

[Muddzy]

I had a 2013 JTUR w/35s and wheels +2in lift + Gobi rack + a few other minor mods. I'm in NJ and insured through Geico. I didn't think about getting modifications insurance and fortunately I never had to use it. I sold that and bought a 2020 Jeep Gladiator (JTUR) which had more mods...37s setup w2.5in lift, king coil shocks/lift, warn winch, bed rack, sliders and armor and a few minor mods that added to about $15k in mods. Geico insured this based on VIN but after owning it for a bit I decided I should get modifications insurance. Geico didn't know what to do at first but finally I found someone to take a list of the modifications and value. My added premium was only about $115/yr and all was fine for 6 months.

I just received a letter from Geico stating that they won't insure my JTUR anymore because "The following Acceptance Criteria was not met: Unacceptable Vehicle Type". In summary their reason is "The insured auto is modified or changed in conditions so as to increase the risk substantially."

I know this doesn't relate to the off-road coverage debate but I found it odd that they initially insured it but then later decided it wasn't worth the risk (which to me indicates (but doesn't prove) that they think I was taking it off-road). BTW, I also have 3 other cars, a boat and a motorcycle insured through them. I guess I'm shopping.

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