Sadly, Ontario saw 11 fatal snowmobile accidents during the 2020 / 2021 season.
Snowmobiling can be a wonderful winter activity when done safely but it can also, unfortunately, be high risk and dangerous, even if all precautions are followed.
This is part of the reason why riders in Ontario are required by law to have snowmobile insurance.
GET A FREE SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE QUOTE
WHAT DOES SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE COVER?
Whether you ride a Ski-doo, Bombardier, Polaris or Yamaha and whether your sled is brand new or a used vintage model, quality snowmobile insurance can cover you from the following, with certain limits (2):
- Another person’s injury or death
- Damage to another person’s property
- Damage to your snowmobile
- Rehabilitation expenses if you are injured
- Death benefits if you are killed
You shouldn’t just be looking for the cheapest snowmobile insurance you can find, you want the best snowmobile insurance available to make sure you’re fully protected from everything listed above.
IS SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE REQUIRED IN ONTARIO?
If the snowmobile is only being driven on the snowmobile owner’s private property, then no, snowmobile insurance is not required.
However, in all other cases, Ontario law requires the following minimum snowmobile insurance coverages (2):
- Third-party liability coverage of at least $200,000
- Statutory accident benefit coverage
- Direct compensation – property damage coverage
- Uninsured automobile coverage
HOW MUCH DOES SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE COST?
According to a 2019 OFSC economic impact report, Ontario snowmobilers spent $10,723 on average for a new or used sled and $565 on their snowmobile insurance.
How does this compare to your snowmobile insurance cost? It depends.
Like most other types of auto insurance, what you pay in snowmobile insurance can depend on things like (2):
- How old you are
- What type of snowmobile do you own
- Purchase price
- What training you have
- Your overall driving record
All of this will have an impact so it’s important to get an accurate snowmobile insurance quote from a reliable insurance provider who offers snowmobile insurance separately or as part of a larger auto insurance policy.
Snowmobiling generates around $1.5 billion in economic activity for Ontario every year (1), while insurance is a relatively small slice of that; it’s a crucial piece that can help support the whole pie.
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
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SOURCES
1 – OFSC Economic Impact Study, 2019
2 – FSCO.gov.on.ca – Snowmobile insurance cost and coverage
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