Boat & Motorcycle Safety Tips for Owners in Gilbert, AZSummer season can be the best time of year to enjoy your boat or motorcycle. Whether you enjoy the long days, warm weather, or enjoy using your ride to relax, being a boat or motorcycle owner has its perks. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to safety this season.

Consider Taking a Safety Class

Whether you are a seasoned vet or brand new boat or motorcycle owner, taking a safety class can always improve your skill set and help you understand the risks associated with riding or driving. Even if you are consider yourself to be experienced, taking a class can provide you with additional advanced techniques (for motorcycle riders). All boat owners should understand the rules while operating on the water and be familiar with their state’s boating laws.

Check your Equipment

If you are a motorcycle rider, take some time to review your gear. Shoes with good traction, protective textile or leather jackets, pants and gloves & owning a good helmet are all things that can protect you on the road. If you are a boat owner, look over your life jackets. Does each jacket fit correctly for each individual on the boat? Are they approved by the U.S. Coast Guard? Do you have a pre-departure checklist you can review before going out your boat?

Always be a Defensive Driver

This goes for both boat and motorcycle owners. When you practice being aware of your surroundings at all times you are on the road or water, you are doing everything in your control be a safe driver or rider.

Have a Routine Checkup Before Leaving Your Home

Both boat and motorcycle owners should have a routine checklist before hitting the road or water. For motorcycle riders this could be inspecting your tire pressure, lights, turn signals as well as your chain, belt and brakes.

For boat owners, this could be checking the weather, ensuring you have a life jacket for every person who will be on the boat, locating your floatation aids, orange signal flags, whistle/horn/bell, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, proper documentation, making sure you have sunscreen, water and more.

Need to Review Your Insurance Policy?

Talk to our agency if it is time to review your boat or motorcycle insurance policy. We can have a discussion about any updates you have made to your ride, requote you with other carriers if you are not happy with your current rate, and ensure you are fully covered in the event you have to file an insurance claim.

How to obtain motorcycle insurance and a license in Gilbert, AZWith spring on the horizon, some of you may be finding yourselves thinking about getting a motorcycle license. After all, motorcycles offer great fuel economy, easy parking, and a unique driving experience.

For most people, your motorcycle journey will begin with some rider safety and operation courses. Knowing how to safely operate a motorcycle and the unique laws that may apply to you are important.

Operating a motorcycle in most states will require you to have a driver’s license and some will require a motorcycle permit. This permit will involve you passing an exam for motorcycle operation and a riders skill test. For those under the age of 18, you’ll also likely need your parents consent.

To find a class, you can search for your local DMV on the web and look there for motorcycle safety courses. Most states have adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum. The classes will take around 15 hours to complete and at the end you will possibly find an insurance carrier who will give you a discount for completing the course.

Other common questions regarding operation of a motorcycle include:

Am I required to have insurance? Not all states require motorcycle operators have insurance. It is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to not only protect yourself financially, but also to provide insurance protection to those you may injure while operating a motorcycle.

Do I have to wear a helmet? Many states do not require helmets for all riders, however some are also age dependent. To find out which states have motorcycle helmet laws, visit the iihs.org website.

My motorcycle doesn’t go very fast, do I still need a permit? If a motorcycle’s speedometer is listed as less than 60 MPH then it is possibly that you do not need a motorcycle permit to operate this. Check with your local Department of Licensing to find out more.

Having motorcycle insurance is recommended. Typically the cost of a motorcycle insurance policy isn’t as expensive as an automobile policy. There are many factors that determine the cost of motorcycle insurance: where you live, your driving record, your age and marital status, what type of motorcycle you own, whether you own a home, even your credit score can all have an impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask a licensed agent in our office to provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.

Get Your Motorcycle Insurance Quote Today

Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your Motorcycle Insurance. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

Snowmobile Insurance Gilbert, AZRiding a snowmobile or snow machine, is an exhilarating experience. Riding a snowmobile across an ungroomed open field with powder snow flying away can be memorable but comes with its share of risks.

Regardless of whether you enjoy sledding fast, slowly in a group, in steep terrain or in poor conditions, it is important to protect you, your passengers, your sled and yourself from injury or damage.

Some of the common snowmobile insurance coverage options can include:

  • Comprehensive & Collision Coverage: Comprehensive coverage will protect your snowmobile from theft, vandalism, fire, or a collision with an animal. Collision coverage will provide coverage for the sled from incidents where it is damaged from colliding with another object (such as a tree or fence) or another vehicle.
  • Bodily Injury Coverage: Provides medical coverage to pay for 3rd parties where you are found to be at-fault for an accident.
  • Property Damage: Provides coverage to pay for property damage you cause if you are found to be at-fault for a covered loss.
  • Medical Payments: Different from Bodily Injury coverage, this one is for you or your passenger’s medical bills.
  • Custom Parts & Equipment: Covers parts that did not come factory installed on your sled. This can include things like custom paint and cargo racks.

Most asked questions about snowmobile insurance

  1. How much does snowmobile insurance cost? Snowmobile insurance premiums are calculated by algorithms that use factors such as your age, the type of vehicle being insured, your previous loss history and your gender.
  2. Is snowmobile insurance required? Depends. If you are using the vehicle on privately owned land such as a farm and you do not have a loan on the vehicle, you likely do not need to insure it. If you are using the vehicle on public lands or roads, then you will need to have liability insurance. If you have a loan on the vehicle, you will be required by the lienholder to carry full coverage.
  3. How do I get a snowmobile insurance quote? We can provide you with a snowmobile insurance quote in just a few minutes. Furthermore, you can purchase coverage right over the phone so you can get out and enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about being properly covered.

Call an agent in our office today to discuss your insurance needs. As an independent insurance agency, we represent the top names in insurance and can quote multiple insurance companies so you get the best discounts and coverage.