11 ATV Safety Tips

 

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are extremely popular in North Carolina for the fun and excitement they provide.  They are, however, not toys and should be respected and treated as the powerful machines they are, with some of them weighing upwards of half a ton and able to reach speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.

These vehicles are responsible for thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year in the United States.  Many of these deaths and injuries may have been preventable, had the riders observed appropriate safety rules and riding tips for operating ATVs.  We'll present some of those tips here.

ATV Safety Tips

1. Before riding your ATV, take the time to learn how.  Training can be obtained for little or no cost in most areas.  Hands-on training is available from the ATV Safety Institute, who also offer a free ATV E-Course.  You may also find training through a local ATV riding group.
2. Always wear proper ATV riding gear, including a certified DOT-approved helmet that fits properly, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long pants and boots that cover up over your ankles.
3. Ride on designated trails at safe speeds and on pavement only to go across roads.  ATVs aren't designed to operate well on pavement.
4. Don't mix ATV riding with alcohol or controlled substances.
5. No child under the age of 16 years should be allowed to drive an adult ATV.  Smaller, less powerful ATV's are designed for youngsters, but kids riding these vehicles should be supervised to help ensure their safety.  Children under six years of age should not be on an ATV, either as a driver or a passenger.
6. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends ATVs with engine sizes of less than 70cc for kids from six to eleven years of age.  Engine sizes between 70cc and 90cc are recommended for kids between 12 and 15 years old.
7. Avoid riding your ATV at night or when visibility is poor.
8. Three-wheeled ATV's have been deemed unsafe and should not be ridden.
9. Most ATVs are designed for only an operator and not a passenger.  Room for the rider to redistribute his weight is necessary to handle the irregularities of some terrain.  
10. Maintain your ATV to keep it running smoothly.
11. Make sure you and your ATV are properly insured against liability and personal injuries.  For an expensive ATV, consider comprehensive coverage.

Motorcycle Insurance: 6 Ways to Save

 

Motorcycle riders are a breed apart from your typical car drivers, glad to feel the wind in their face and undeterred by the warnings from mom about the dangers you'll find lurking around every corner.  Sure, bike riding can be risky and a serious accident on two wheels can be much more devastating than when driving on four, surrounded by a steel cage with safety add-ons like airbags.  But for careful riders with proper safety gear, a registered motorcycle safety course under their belts and a healthy respect for the risks of the road, motorcycling can be a great way to go.

Ensuring You've Got Proper Insurance

One critical piece of your motorcycling protection is having the proper motorcycle insurance in place.  In North Carolina, every vehicle being driven on public roads is required to have at least a minimum amount of basic liability insurance in case you're the cause of an accident that injures or kills another person or causes damage to someone else's property.

While it won't save you money on the cost of your insurance, carrying more than the required minimum amount of liability coverage could save you a huge amount of money in the event that you're found responsible for causing an accident where someone dies or is seriously injured and you become the defendant  in a liability suit.  Judgements in these types of suits can run into the thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.  Your best protection is to carry five or ten times the required amount of bodily injury liability insurance.  You may also want to consider an umbrella policy for the best all-around liability protection.

Here are six ways to save on your motorcycle insurance:

1. Always shop around and get quotes from several insurers.  It doesn't make sense to pay higher rates charged by one company when another insurer provides the same service at a lower price.  
2. Older, smaller, slower bikes will have lower insurance costs.  Choose your bike wisely.
3. If you only ride occasionally, ask for an infrequent rider discount.  While you're at it, find out about every discount offered.  There may be several.
4. If your bike isn't worth too much, dropping your comprehensive and collision coverage will save bucks.  If your bike has a lienholder, however, this won't be possible.
5. Raise your deductible.
6. Keep your bike secure with chains, locks and/or alarms.  Keep it garaged when not being used.

29 Essentials for Your ATV Ride

 

When you're trail riding your ATV, especially when exploring far out into the back country, you'll need ways to handle whatever pops up so that your jaunt can stay safe and uninterrupted by problems for which you're unprepared.  The trick to being prepared for unexpected problems while trail riding is to be armed with a number of essentials you shouldn't be out riding without.  This includes proper insurance protection.

Whether your off-road adventure is for the day or a week, a well put together kit of off-roading essentials will help in ensuring your trip is safe and enjoyable and that you're prepared for any situation.  This may include anything from a simple mechanical repair, a flat tire or an injury requiring first aid.  All of these situations should be mere bumps in the road if you've come prepared with a comprehensive off-roading ATV essentials kit.

Your Essential ATV Off-Road Kit of Safety Equipment and Supplies

Essential items for your ATV trail ride kit fall into three categories - tools, safety equipment and spare parts.  For longer rides you'll likely need more items, but some of these essentials should be carried at all times when possible.  Here's the list.

Tools

1. Carry your ATV's owner's manual and be familiar with key service items
2. Adjustable wrenches or assorted sizes specific to your model ATV
3. Allen wrenches
4. Flat head and Philips head screw drivers
5. Pliers
6. Spark plug wrench
7. Tire repair kit and air pump, either manual or 12-volt
8. Flashlight
9. Zip ties
10. Roll of baling wire
11. Duct tape

Safety Equipment and Supplies

1. Proper riding gear
2. DOT-certified helmet
3. Cellular phone
4. Maps or GPS
5. Matches or lighter
6. Pocket knife
7. Small fire extinguisher
8. Extra tire tube(s)
9. Tow rope
10. Power snacks such as power bars, trail mix or beef jerky
11. Thermal blankets
12. An experienced rider to help carry the essentials and accompany you on the ride.  You should avoid riding alone.

Spare Parts

1. Extra fuel (in a small container)
2. Spare tire
3. Lug wrench
4. Spare drive belt (depending on ATV model)
5. Jumper cables
6. Spark plugs

Be Prepared

These lists may appear to contain a lot of items but they cover just about everything you might need when something goes wrong on a trail ride.  An old saying tells us that the one thing you forget is probably the one thing you'll need.

Though not essential, you might also consider installing a power wench on your ATV.  They have many uses.

Can You Ever Have Too Much Insurance?

 

If you've ever caught yourself thinking "I'm insurance poor," it's likely because you've been adding up all those policies you've managed to collect and all those premiums you continue to pay.  If you're like most people, you have life insurance, car insurance, health insurance, homeowners or renters insurance and maybe more.  The question is, can you ever have too much insurance?

Vehicle Insurance

In the state of North Carolina, anyone driving a vehicle on public roads is required by law to have at least a minimum amount of liability insurance.  This is third-party liability coverage to help pay for financial losses suffered by others in an accident you cause.  Losses may be the result of property damage, bodily injury or death.  In NC, the minimum liability coverage required is:

• $30,000 per person per accident bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident bodily injury coverage for all persons
• $25,000 per accident property damage

How Much is Enough

Many experts recommend you increase your liability limits three to five times the minimums (or more).  The amount you carry should depend upon the number of assets you stand to lose if sued for liability.  Even more protection is available through the purchase of a high-value umbrella policy.  This is a relatively inexpensive way to significantly increase your asset protection.

Other car insurance options should depend on the value/condition of the insured vehicle.  If you're driving an older, beater car that you could easily replace, carrying collision and comprehensive coverage on it probably doesn't make sense.  The money you're spending on these coverages might be better applied to medical payments or uninsured driver's coverage.

Life Insurance

You buy life insurance to keep your dependents financially secure in case you die unexpectedly.  The death benefit should cover: 

• Your income
• Major debts
• Funeral expenses
• Future obligations such as your children's education

As you age, however, you likely don't need the coverage you once needed.  Your home mortgage may be paid off, the kids are grown and off on their own and your debts are what they once were.  In this case, you can lower your coverage to a more appropriate amount. 

Homeowners Insurance 

Your homeowners coverage should be enough to rebuild your home and replace your property should the home be totally destroyed.  This doesn't mean covering the market value of the home or the value of the land.  Umbrella coverage can extend your homeowners liability limit.