While some Ontarians enjoy spending their Sundays lounging around the house, others prefer to let loose.

If you're looking for an adventure this winter, you should take an off-road vehicle, like a snowmobile, for a spin. However, without the correct off-road vehicle insurance Ontario drivers won't get very far (legally, that is).

Continue reading to learn the ins and outs of off-road vehicle coverage in Ontario.

What is an "off-road vehicle" in Ontario?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, we should briefly go over the basics — what are "off-road vehicles"?

Simply put, an off-road vehicle is a motorized vehicle that is intended for travel over grass, dirt, trails and niche terrain. 

Most insurance providers in Ontario consider the following to be off-road vehicles:

• All-terrain vehicles
• Dirt bikes
• Sand rails
• Recreational utility vehicles (RUVs)
• Recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)
• Golf carts
• Snowmobiles

What is off road vehicle insurance and why is it important?

In layman's terms, off-road vehicle coverage is a type of liability insurance that protects Ontarians while using a vehicle intended for off-road use.

You, or anyone using your off-road vehicle, must have a copy of your insurance card while riding (if you are off of your personal property). If you or another person gets caught driving your off-road vehicle without the proper insurance, both parties will receive a fine ranging from $200 to $1,000.

Additionally, it's worth noting that if someone else gets into an accident that results in injury or damage while using your off-road vehicle, then you and the driver are responsible for covering the expenses, not just the driver. Ontarians should keep this in mind before lending their off-road vehicle to a friend or family member.

What are the policy options that Ontarians can choose from?

There are three different off-road vehicle policy options that Ontarians can pick from. These options include:

Stand-alone policy — Ontarians can solely purchase off-road vehicle coverage from an insurance provider. Stand-alone policies are relatively straightforward but tend to be more expensive.

Add-on to a car insurance policy — Off-road vehicle owners in Ontario can choose to add their off road insurance to their car insurance policy. Doing this can help you save up to 20% on your off-road vehicle coverage in Ontario.

Add-on to your home and car insurance bundle — Are you currently bundling your home and car insurance? If so, you may want to consider adding your off-road vehicle coverage to the bundle. Adding your off-road vehicle coverage can help you save a pretty penny; up to 20% on your off-road coverage and 5% in additional discounts.

Contact your insurance provider or advisor

Ontarians need to note that these discounts are not set-in-stone. Insurance providers offer different discounts for various types and levels of coverage. Be sure to reach out to your provider to confirm how much you can save by adding your off-road vehicle coverage to one of your current policies.

By the way, if you'd like to save on your home, car or off-road vehicle coverage, you should contact a Surex insurance advisor.

Our insurance advisors have one goal: getting you the cheapest, highest-quality insurance available. Thankfully, reaching this goal isn't as difficult as it may sound. Our team works closely with the most reputable insurance companies in Ontario, which allows us to offer you the best quotes on the market!

What does off-road vehicle insurance cover in Ontario?

Off-road insurance generally covers the following:

• The off-road vehicle and related equipment (often up to up to $30,000)
• Trailers used to haul the off-road vehicle 
• Third-party liability (often up to $5,000,000)

As mentioned above, the level of coverage and limits vary from provider to provider. Contact your insurance provider to confirm what they offer.

Do you need to register your off-road vehicle in Ontario?

As you likely know, you need to register your car before you're able to hit the road. The same rules apply to off-road vehicles, like snowmobiles.

Ontarians have six days to register their new off-road vehicle with the provincial government.

While registering your off-road vehicle, you'll be required to pay a one-time fee. Once this is done, the vehicle is officially registered and roadworthy for the entirety of its lifespan.

Do you need to register a used off-road vehicle?

What a great question!

In most cases, no, you do not have to register an off-road vehicle that you bought used. This is due to the fact that it's still technically registered. As long as the previous owner did their due diligence, all you'll need to do is sign a bill of sale and obtain a permit.

However, if the previous owner never registered the vehicle with the Ontario government, you're responsible for dealing with the process.

Off-road vehicle safety tips

Even if you have off-road vehicle coverage, you should still do everything you can to be safe. Driving an off-road vehicle is supposed to be a fun and exciting way to get an adrenaline rush, not put yourself in unnecessary danger.

Please utilize the following safety tips next time you use your snowmobile, or other off-road vehicle:

Wear a helmet

It goes without saying that helmets are undeniably important. A well-made helmet can be the difference between a bruise and a severe head injury.

Although you should wear a helmet at all times, we highly urge you to wear one while driving in thick brush or over harsh terrain.

Respect the speed limit

Just because you're not on a residential street or highway doesn't mean that you can race around at top speed.

For instance, in Ontario, drivers aren't permitted to go faster than 50 km per hour on a snowmobile. If you get caught exceeding the speed limit, you'll receive a fine of up to $1,000.

Don't drive under the influence

Lastly, we want to remind you that driving an off-road vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. Getting caught with a blood-alcohol level of .05 to .08 can potentially lead to a fine (at the authorities' discretion). At the same time, anything over .08 is guaranteed to get you into serious trouble.

Do you still have questions about off-road insurance Ontario?

If you still have questions about off-road vehicle coverage in Ontario, don't hesitate to contact your insurance provider.