What Is Off-Road Vehicle Insurance?

Off-road vehicle insurance is specialized coverage designed to protect your ATV, UTV, side-by-side, dirt bike, or other recreational vehicle used off public roads. Unlike standard auto insurance, this policy covers vehicles built for trails, deserts, and rugged terrain. Whether you ride for recreation on weekends or use your vehicle for work on your property, this coverage protects you from financial loss if your vehicle is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident. FOCO Insurance Services helps San Bernardino and Inland Empire riders find the right protection for their off-road adventures.

Off-road vehicle insurance works similarly to motorcycle or auto insurance but is tailored to the unique risks of trail riding and recreational use. Your policy can cover damage to your vehicle, medical expenses if you or a passenger gets injured, and liability if you accidentally damage someone else's property or cause injury. Many riders assume their homeowners or auto insurance will cover their ATV or UTV, but that's rarely the case. Most standard policies specifically exclude off-road vehicles, leaving you exposed to significant out-of-pocket costs if something goes wrong.

California doesn't require insurance for off-road vehicles used exclusively on private property or designated trails, but many riding areas, clubs, and organized events do require proof of coverage. If you're financing your vehicle, your lender will almost certainly require comprehensive and collision coverage until the loan is paid off. Even if coverage isn't required, the cost of replacing or repairing an off-road vehicle after an accident or theft can easily run into thousands of dollars—making insurance a smart financial decision for most riders.

What Does Off-Road Vehicle Insurance Cover?

Off-road vehicle insurance includes several types of coverage, each protecting you from different risks. You can customize your policy based on how you use your vehicle, where you ride, and what level of protection you need. Here are the main coverage options available:

• Collision Coverage: Pays to repair or replace your off-road vehicle if it's damaged in an accident, whether you hit another vehicle, a tree, a rock, or roll over on a trail. This coverage applies regardless of who was at fault.


• Comprehensive Coverage: Protects your vehicle from non-collision damage such as theft, vandalism, fire, flood, falling objects, or animal strikes. If your ATV is stolen from your garage or your UTV is damaged in a wildfire, comprehensive coverage handles the cost.


• Bodily Injury Liability: Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees if you injure someone while riding your off-road vehicle. This includes other riders, passengers, pedestrians, or property owners.


• Property Damage Liability: Pays for damage you cause to someone else's property, such as fences, gates, landscaping, or another person's vehicle. If you accidentally knock down a fence while riding on private land, this coverage handles the repair costs.


• Medical Payments Coverage: Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This can include emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up care.


• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protects you if you're hit by another rider who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have enough coverage to pay for your injuries and vehicle damage.


• Accessory Coverage: Covers custom parts, upgrades, and accessories you've added to your vehicle, such as winches, specialized tires, lift kits, custom seats, or sound systems. Standard policies may only cover factory equipment.


• Trailer Coverage: Protects the trailer you use to transport your off-road vehicle, covering damage from accidents, theft, or other covered events.

Most riders choose a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage for complete protection. If you only ride occasionally and your vehicle has a lower value, you might opt for liability-only coverage to keep your premium lower. However, if you have a newer or high-value vehicle, or if you're still making payments, full coverage with collision and comprehensive is usually the better choice.

How Much Does Off-Road Vehicle Insurance Cost?

Your off-road vehicle insurance cost depends on multiple factors unique to you, your vehicle, and how you use it. Insurance companies evaluate these factors to determine your premium, and understanding them can help you make informed decisions about your coverage.

The type and value of your vehicle play a significant role in pricing. A high-performance sport ATV or a new side-by-side with a powerful engine will typically cost more to insure than an older, basic model used for light trail riding. Engine size matters too—larger, more powerful engines often mean higher premiums because they can cause more serious accidents. How you use your vehicle also affects your rate. If you ride recreationally a few times a month, you'll likely pay less than someone who uses their UTV daily for ranch work or commercial purposes.

Your riding experience and safety record influence your premium as well. Experienced riders with clean records typically receive better rates than new riders or those with previous claims. The coverage options you select directly impact your cost—comprehensive and collision coverage increase your premium compared to liability-only policies, but they also provide significantly more protection. Your deductible choice matters too. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium but means you'll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

Where you live and store your vehicle affects pricing. San Bernardino and Inland Empire residents may see different rates based on local theft rates, weather risks, and population density. Storing your vehicle in a locked garage typically costs less than leaving it outside or in an unsecured area. Many carriers offer discounts that can reduce your premium, such as multi-policy discounts if you bundle with your auto or homeowners insurance, safety course discounts if you've completed a rider training program, or multi-vehicle discounts if you insure more than one off-road vehicle.

The best way to find competitive rates is to compare quotes from multiple carriers. As an independent agency, we shop your coverage with several insurance companies to find you the best combination of price and protection for your specific situation.

Do I Need Off-Road Vehicle Insurance?

Whether you need off-road vehicle insurance depends on several factors, including legal requirements, financial obligations, and your personal risk tolerance. California doesn't require insurance for ATVs, UTVs, or dirt bikes used exclusively off public roads. However, just because it's not legally required doesn't mean you should ride without coverage.

You definitely need insurance if you're financing your off-road vehicle. Lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage to protect their investment until you pay off the loan. Even after you own your vehicle outright, insurance makes financial sense if the cost to replace or repair it would create a hardship. If your ATV is worth several thousand dollars, paying a few hundred dollars a year for insurance is far better than absorbing a total loss out of pocket.

Many riding areas, clubs, and organized events require proof of insurance before you can participate. Some private property owners won't allow riders without coverage due to liability concerns. If you trailer your vehicle to different riding locations, you're also exposed to risks during transport—accidents, theft from parking areas, or damage while loading and unloading. Without insurance, you're responsible for all these costs yourself.

Even experienced riders have accidents. Off-road vehicles operate in unpredictable terrain where rocks, logs, steep hills, and other obstacles create constant hazards. If you injure someone or damage their property while riding, you could face expensive medical bills, property repair costs, and potential lawsuits. Liability coverage protects your assets and savings from these claims. Medical payments coverage ensures you and your passengers receive necessary care after an accident without depleting your savings.

Think about the worst-case scenario. Could you afford to replace your vehicle tomorrow if it was stolen or totaled? Could you pay someone's medical bills if they were injured in an accident you caused? If the answer to either question is no, you need off-road vehicle insurance. The relatively low cost of coverage provides significant protection against potentially devastating financial losses.

How to Get Off-Road Vehicle Insurance in San Bernardino

Getting off-road vehicle insurance in San Bernardino is straightforward when you work with a local independent agent who understands California riders and the unique challenges of Inland Empire terrain. Start by gathering information about your vehicle, including the make, model, year, VIN, and any modifications or accessories you've added. Having this information ready speeds up the quoting process.

Consider how you use your vehicle and where you ride. Do you stick to private property, or do you visit public lands and organized trails? How often do you ride, and how far do you travel from home? Do you use your off-road vehicle for work, or is it purely recreational? These details help your agent recommend appropriate coverage levels. Also think about your budget and risk tolerance. How much could you comfortably pay out of pocket if you needed to file a claim? This helps determine your ideal deductible.

California has specific regulations for off-road vehicle use, and while insurance isn't required for off-highway operation, understanding where you can legally ride helps you make informed coverage decisions. Many popular riding areas in the San Bernardino National Forest and surrounding desert regions have specific rules about vehicle equipment, noise levels, and permits. Your insurance agent can help you understand how different riding locations might affect your coverage needs.

Working with an independent agency like FOCO Insurance Services gives you access to multiple insurance carriers, allowing you to compare coverage options and prices from several companies at once. We represent carriers that specialize in recreational vehicle insurance, so you're not limited to one company's offerings. This competition typically results in better rates and more comprehensive coverage options than you'd find by contacting insurance companies directly.

After you've compared quotes and selected your coverage, your agent will help you finalize your policy and provide proof of insurance immediately. Most policies can be bound the same day, so you're protected before your next ride. Your agent will also explain what to do if you need to file a claim, how to add or remove coverage as your needs change, and what discounts might be available to reduce your premium over time.

Get Your Free Off-Road Vehicle Insurance Quote

Ready to protect your ATV, UTV, or dirt bike? FOCO Insurance Services has been helping San Bernardino and Inland Empire riders find affordable off-road vehicle insurance since 2006. We shop multiple carriers to find you the best coverage at competitive rates, and we make the process fast and easy. Contact our team today for a free quote and discover how affordable proper coverage can be.

Whether you're a weekend trail rider, a desert racer, or someone who uses their side-by-side for property maintenance, we'll customize a policy that matches your specific needs. We understand the local riding community and the terrain challenges you face. Our experienced agents will answer your questions, explain your options, and help you make informed decisions about protecting your investment and your financial future.

Get started now by calling our office or requesting a quote online. We'll gather some basic information about your vehicle and riding habits, compare coverage options from multiple carriers, and present you with personalized quotes that fit your budget. Most quotes are ready within minutes, and you can have coverage in place the same day. Don't ride unprotected—get the peace of mind that comes with proper off-road vehicle insurance from a local agency that knows San Bernardino riders.