Golf carts have become a beloved mode of transportation in Florida, whether used for cruising through retirement communities, zipping around beachside neighborhoods, or making short trips to the golf course. But while golf carts are convenient and fun, they also come with risks, making insurance a critical consideration. Florida Peninsula Insurance Company offers several coverage options for golf carts, depending on your policy type. Read on for all you need to know.
Golf Cart Coverage Varies by Your Policy Type
The type of coverage you have for your golf cart depends on your specific Florida Peninsula home insurance policy. Understanding the differences between these policies is essential to ensure you’re properly protected. Below is a breakdown of what’s covered under the Elite, Preferred, Select, and DP-3 policy and program types. If you’re unsure what type of policy you have, check your policy jacket or ask your Florida Peninsula agent.
Elite & Preferred HO-3 Policies
Elite and Preferred homeowner (HO-3) policies are designed for homeowners who want customizable options and robust coverage. For golf carts, these policies allow you to add $5,000 in personal property coverage for just $25 per year. This covers theft, fire, and other perils, making it an affordable way to protect your investment.
- Liability coverage: If your homeowners policy includes Coverage E (personal liability), this protection may also extend to accidents involving your golf cart, where you are found legally liable for accidental injury to others or damage to their property. The coverage limits will vary based on your specific home insurance policy.
- Medical payments coverage: Likewise, if your homeowners policy includes Coverage F (medical payments), it could provide up to $2,000 for minor injuries caused by your golf cart, regardless of fault.
Key distinction: While both Elite and Preferred policies offer the option to add personal property coverage for your golf cart, this coverage is not automatically included – it must be purchased as an affordable add-on.
Select HO-3 Citizens Assumption Policies
Select HO-3 – Citizens Assumption policies are a streamlined option for homeowners seeking essential coverage at a lower cost. However, this budget-friendly policy comes with notable restrictions regarding golf cart coverage.
- No personal property coverage: Golf carts are ineligible for personal property protection under a Select HO-3 Florida Peninsula policy. This means theft, fire, or other damage to your golf cart would not be covered by your homeowners policy.
- Liability and medical payments coverage: Similar to Elite and Preferred policies, Select home insurance policies may provide liability (Coverage E) and medical payments (Coverage F) coverage for accidents involving your golf cart, but you’ll need to confirm these details in your specific policy or with your agent.
Key distinction: Select HO-3 policies do not allow for personal property coverage for golf carts, making them less comprehensive for golf cart owners compared to Elite or Preferred policies.
DP-3 (“Landlord”) Policies
DP-3 policies are designed for landlords, seasonal homeowners, and owners of investment properties. These policies automatically include complimentary golf cart coverage, making them a convenient and affordable option for those who own rental or secondary homes.
- Personal property coverage: DP-3 policies automatically include $5,000 in personal property coverage for your golf cart, protecting it from theft, fire, or other covered perils.
- Liability coverage: These policies also include $25,000 in personal liability coverage for golf cart-related accidents, provided liability coverage – called Coverage L in a DP-3 policy – hasn’t been excluded from your policy.
- Medical payments coverage: DP-3 policies come with $2,000 in medical payments coverage, offering protection for accidental injuries caused by you or your golf cart, regardless of fault.
Key distinction: Unlike Elite and Preferred policies, DP-3 policies include golf cart coverage automatically, at no additional cost.
Why Insuring Your Golf Cart Matters
Even though golf carts are not required by Florida law to have insurance, having coverage can protect you financially. Golf carts are vulnerable to theft, damage, and accidents leaving you responsible for costly repairs, medical bills, or legal expenses. With affordable golf cart insurance, you can avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses and enjoy peace of mind.
Florida Peninsula Golf Cart Coverage Options
Understanding the available coverage for your golf cart is essential to ensure you're protected from unexpected risks, whether it’s theft, damage, or liability.
1. Personal Property Coverage
Personal property coverage protects your golf cart against theft, fire, vandalism, and other covered perils listed in your Florida Peninsula policy. For example, if a fire damages your garage and destroys your golf cart, your policy could provide up to $5,000 to repair or replace it, provided you added the coverage to your Elite or Preferred HO-3 Florida Peninsula policy, or if you have a Florida Peninsula DP-3 policy.
2. Personal Liability Coverage
Personal liability coverage offers protection if you are found legally responsible for unintentional injuries or property damage caused by your golf cart. This coverage is particularly valuable in accidents where others are involved who might either sue you or submit a claim directly with your insurer. For instance, if you accidentally hit a parked car while driving your golf cart in your neighborhood, your personal liability coverage can help pay for repairs to the vehicle or other claims made against you.
Your personal liability limits will vary based on your Florida Peninsula policy type, so it’s essential to confirm whether Coverage E (HO-3 policies) or Coverage L (DP-3 policies) applies and hasn’t been excluded from the underlying homeowners policy.
3. Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage ensures minor injuries resulting from a golf cart accident are addressed quickly, regardless of who is at fault. For example, if a neighbor riding as a passenger in your golf cart falls and injures their arm, your policy can provide up to $2,000 to cover their medical expenses. This coverage is especially useful for avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for smaller incidents and can help maintain goodwill with friends or neighbors. Unlike liability coverage, medical payments coverage applies without requiring a legal determination of fault, offering peace of mind in a variety of situations.
What’s Not Covered?
Understanding exclusions is essential to ensure you know the limits of your affordable golf cart insurance options in Florida.
Florida Peninsula golf cart insurance does not cover:
- Commercial use: Coverage doesn’t apply if the golf cart is used for business purposes, rented to others, or used to carry people or packages for a fee.
- Wear & tear or breakdowns: Mechanical, electrical, or structural issues due to normal use or defects are excluded.
- Damage caused by critters: Damage from animals or due to run-ins with animals are not covered.
- Storage without oversight: Vandalism isn’t covered if the golf cart is stored in a location unoccupied for over 60 consecutive days.
- Flat tires: Costs for flat tire repair or replacement are excluded.
- Intentional acts: Any deliberate damage caused by you is not covered.
- Other coverage: Florida Peninsula’s affordable golf cart insurance doesn’t apply if the incident is entirely covered by manufacturer warranty or another insurance policy.
- Automobile-related incidents: For the most part, collisions with moving vehicles are covered by auto insurance, not homeowners insurance.
Tips for Protecting Your Golf Cart
Whether or not you have affordable golf cart insurance, taking steps to protect your golf cart can reduce risks and minimize claims:
- Park it in a secure, well-lit location.
- Use anti-theft devices, like steering wheel locks or GPS trackers.
- Keep it well-maintained with regular servicing.
- Store it property in a locked or monitored location.
- Avoid overloading it beyond its weight capacity.
- Mark it with unique identifiers.
- Use it in accordance with community guidelines.
- Protect it with a weatherproof cover when not in use.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Keep your keys in a secure location.
- Regularly check and maintain proper tire pressure.
- Install a battery disconnect switch.
Review Your Policy & Golf Cart Coverage Options
Affordable golf cart insurance options in Florida aren’t one-size-fits-all. They vary by the type of policy you have and the coverage limits you’ve selected. If you’re unsure about what your Florida Peninsula policy covers, take a moment to review your documents or contact your agent. They can help clarify your coverage and recommend options best suited to your needs.
Why Affordable Golf Cart Insurance Is Essential for Florida Homeowners
Whether you’re zipping around your neighborhood or storing your golf cart for the season, Florida Peninsula Insurance Company provides affordable golf cart insurance options in Florida to help protect your investment and your peace of mind. Contact your agent today to learn more about adding or reviewing your golf cart coverage. Not yet insured by Florida Peninsula? Get a quote online now.
