Does Health Insurance Cover ATV Accidents and Injuries?

Operators and passengers on ATVs are more susceptible to serious injuries as a result of accidents. These serious injuries are often a result of the same threat that affects motorcycles and bicycles; a lack of surrounding support and protection from other vehicles.

An ATV can be a fun recreational experience or used in technical operations such as search and rescue missions. Regardless of its intended use, it is important to know how your health insurance may or may not protect you from injury.

If you will be operating or riding on an ATV in the near future, here are some important facts to take into consideration regarding ATV and health insurance

ATV and Health Insurance Coverage

When it comes to health insurance and ATV injury coverage, the unfortunate answer is, “It depends.” Different insurance companies may provide coverage for certain medical bills.

Depending on the location and circumstances of the ATV crash, such as whether it was on a homeowner’s property, or if someone was being negligent, or if the injured person was a passenger or operator, your health insurance may or may not cover some or all of the medical bills.

It is also important to note that there may be language in your policy that states the insurance company will not cover “dangerous or hazardous activities.”

Depending on the exact language of your policy, recreational ATV use may be included. If that is the case, your insurance company will not cover ATV injuries. Instead, it is quite likely you will be advised to use your motor-vehicle or ATV insurance policy to cover your medical bills.

Emergency Care and Treatment

Reviewing your health insurance prior to participating in recreational ATV use is a wise task to undertake. Specifically, you will want to review what is covered under emergency scenarios. If an ATV accident occurs and people sustain serious injuries, they will be taken to an emergency room.

Charges for emergency transportation may be higher than average because ATVs often go to challenging locations; extrication may require Search & Rescue teams, additional ATVs, and sometimes even helicopter transports.

Beyond the initial emergency room visit, ATV injuries can cause long-lasting effects on a patient.

For example, if your legs were broken in multiple locations, that will become a complicated healing process that will take an extensive period of time as well as rehabilitation. Those are long-term health costs that you will need to review with your health insurance company.

ATV Insurance Requirements

In Arizona, you are required by law to have liability insurance if you intend to use the ATV on a public road. If the vehicle is operated off-road exclusively it is not required. This can create issues for finding insurance coverage.

Arizona has had a history of injuries and deaths from ATV accidents and thus there are strict rules and guidelines in place.

Given the uncertainty regarding health insurance coverage, and how it depends on your insurance provider and circumstances, you can have better peace of mind knowing that ATV insurance will be able to provide you coverage.

ATV insurance operates quite similarly to motor vehicle insurance. Here are the requirements for ATV insurance in Arizona:

• The minimum amount for bodily injury liability is $25,000 for one person.
• The minimum amount for bodily injury liability is $50,000 for two or more people.
• The minimum amount of property damage liability is $15,000.

The above numbers are minimums. If you are concerned and want to improve your coverage, you can get further details from your insurance company. You will also want to browse additional options in the coverage such as medical coverage, uninsured driver coverage, and comprehensive coverage.

Factors That Determine Coverage

Similar to motor-vehicle insurance, this special type of insurance will provide medical coverage if you sustain an injury in the course of using the ATV. While shopping for ATV insurance, make sure the coverage plan covers the type of ATV you will be using. For example, there are vehicles that may or may not be covered by ATV insurance like:

• dune buggies
• three-wheelers
• multi-person ATVs

Additionally, when speaking with an insurance agent a number of factors will come into play to determine the price of your premium. Similar to vehicle insurance, the insurance company will review:

• your driving record
• the make/model of the AT
• your age
• how many people will be driving
• storage location

Due to the inherent hazards of ATV operation, insurance companies will focus on many details to gauge their risk in insuring you and your ATV.

Common Causes of ATV Crashes

Lastly, reviewing safety tips and advice before engaging in recreational ATV use is a wise choice. Some of the common causes of ATV crashes are:

• reckless driving
• poor maintenance
• poor design
• dangerous road/trail conditions
• driving under the influence

Contact Goodnow & McKay

If you have been involved in an ATV collision, please contact Goodnow & McKay for a free consultation. If you have sustained injuries, the medical insurance process can be complicated and overwhelming. At Goodnow & McKay, we will make sure to handle the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery.