Winterizing Your ATV and Your Insurance Policy

Whether you use your ATV to plow the snow or lock it up in the shed for storage, here are some tips on how to winterize your ATV for those frigid, snowy months.

• Add stabilizer to your full tank of gas to prevent the gasoline from breaking down and causing damage to the fuel lines and other areas of your ATV.
• Change the oil (whether it's due for a change or not) and do a general all-around lubrication. This will help prevent corrosion on metal surfaces and keep everything property lubed and clean.
• Change and top off all other fluids (brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.).
• If you are planning to store your ATV for the winter, also be sure to:
• Wash the ATV thoroughly and remove dirt and bugs. Also, clean and treat any chrome or vinyl surfaces.
• Remove and store the battery. While you're at it, clean the wires and terminals as well and top off the cells if necessary.
• Stuff a clean rag into the exhaust pipe to keep out small wildlife.
• Check tire pressures and park the ATV on pieces of carpet or wood to keep the rubber off the cold concrete floor during the long period of parking. Better yet, park the ATV on a stand that keeps its weight off the tires.
• Cover the ATV with a canvas tarp, cotton sheet or other breathable cover that will keep the dust off but not promote moisture condensation.
• Store the machine indoors, away from windows.

An alternative to the above list is to have your dealer perform a winterizing service and store your ATV for you until spring.

The Internet — and your dealer — can provide loads of information on what might be best for you and your ATV. If you're conscientious about maintenance, you're probably already providing most of the preventive care anyway.

Winterizing your ATV insurance policy
Now that your ATV is ready for the winter, you may find yourself asking, "Should I put my ATV insurance into 'hibernation' during the winter as well?"

NO! While it may seem like a smart idea, there are potential risks and lost benefits to consider.

• One risk is the potential of physical damage to the ATV while it is parked "safe and sound" in storage. Every winter, we get damage claims on ATVs that were "safely stored for the winter." Here are few scenarios that we've seen come across our claims desk:
• Drywall work was being done in the garage where the ATV was stored, so it was moved outside. Because the garage was being heated for the work, snow and ice on the roof melted loose, slid off, landed on the ATV, and caused $2,500 in damages.
• A malfunctioning propane heater set fire to house and garage, burning everything in the garage...including the ATV.
• The ATV was being kept in a storage shed for the winter. However, after a big snowfall, the shed roof collapsed onto the ATV, causing $8,900 in damages.
• While the ATV was stored for the winter, rodents chewed the seat and electrical wiring.

Another risk is the potential for bodily injury to a third party. Maintaining liability coverage while your ATV is parked can save you from paying an expensive injury claim out of your own pocket. For example: you and your neighbor are in your garage working on the ATV, the ATV falls off its stand and crushes your neighbor's foot. Your liability coverage would pay for his medical bills, up to the policy limits – of course.

There are also some financial implications to consider when you think canceling coverage over the winter will "save you money."

By cancelling your policy during the winter, you would no longer eligible to receive a "renewal discount" (should your insurance carrier offer one), and therefore, could potentially get the same rate as a brand new customer even though you may have been with your carrier for 2 years.Cancelling your policy would also reset the Diminishing Deductible feature on your policy. The theory behind Diminishing Deductibles is that for each consecutive year you are "accident free" your deductible will decrease by 25% - brining it down to $0 after 4 years. If you were to cancel your policy during the winter, you are therefore bringing an end to your consecutive "accident free" years, and would have to start from scratch when you start up your policy again in spring.

Get insurance coverage tailored to your ATV and UTV from Markel Insurance.