Does Car Insurance Cover ATV Accidents in Illinois?

Understand ATV Insurance With Our ATV Accident Lawyers 

“Does car insurance cover ATV accidents?” is a pressing question for Chicagoans as they head out to enjoy the trails at places like Heartland Lodge or Sunset Ridge. ATVs are common recreational vehicles in rural areas and on private land. However, ATV design and use increase the risk of rollovers and other serious accidents. 

Unfortunately, standard auto insurance does not typically provide coverage for these accidents. However, you have options if you’re in one. A Chicago ATV accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process and help you negotiate with your insurance provider. 

Why Auto Insurance Policies Usually Don’t Provide Coverage for ATVs

In Illinois, ATVs are classified as non-highway vehicles and usually can’t be ridden on the street (625 ILCS §5/11-1426.1). Many municipalities, including Chicago, specifically ban them from public streets (§9-12-110). They also do not have a traditional vehicle identification number, which is used to underwrite standard auto insurance policies.  

This means you need specialized ATV insurance coverage to keep yourself safe. In some cases, you can use your homeowner’s insurance to cover ATV accidents, but only on your own property. 

Exceptions to the Rule

Each insurance company and policy differs, so you must check your policy to learn more. It will outline any specific provisions or endorsements related to driving an ATV. 

Additionally, your homeowner’s insurance may provide limited coverage if you’re on your own land, but it won’t help if the ATV accident occurred on someone else’s property. Some policies may only cover damages, forcing you to rely on your health insurance for medical bills. Specifically, ask insurance providers who offer ATV coverage if medical bills are covered.

Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Insurance Coverage Options

Auto insurance is a business, so there’s no one-size-fits-all policy. Instead, there are specialized policies for different vehicles. Off-road vehicle (ORV) policies are specialized insurance policies designed for ATVs and other off-road vehicles.

It’s also important to note that, unlike with cars, auto insurance is not required by law in Illinois. Rather, you’re required to have motor vehicle insurance if your ATV is registered for on-road use. Otherwise, it must be covered under farm, business, or homeowners insurance policies (625 ILCS §5/11-1426.1).

What ORV Coverage Includes

What your ORV coverage includes will vary depending on the type of policy you purchased. 

• Liability coverage: Liability will offer limited coverage if you’re found to be at fault in an accident, including bodily injury and property damage. This is similar to liability coverage for auto policies.
• Collision coverage: Collision coverage will help pay for damage to your ATV if you are in an ATV accident. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage includes non-collision-based accidents, such as theft, vandalism, fire, animal accidents, weather, and more.
• Medical expenses: Select policies will cover medical bills for ATV riders regardless of fault. Your health insurance policy will also pay medical bills.
• Uninsured or Underinsured motorist coverage: This policy covers you if you are not at fault, but the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient coverage for the accident. 

Each policy is different, so it’s important to discuss which policy is right for you with your provider. The right coverage helps protect you and your personal property in the case of an accident. However, it’s crucial to make sure your auto insurance covers your ATV. 

Factors Affecting ATV Insurance Premiums

The Illinois Supreme Court labeled all-terrain vehicles as an “imminent hazard” in Boland v. Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp, recognizing the increased risk of an ATV accident as opposed to a car crash. As such, premiums tend to be higher than for auto insurance policies. Insurance companies use a number of factors to determine your premium, including the following.

Type of ATV

The type, size, and engine capacity can affect your ATV insurance premiums. 

• Type: More expensive models will need higher premiums. 
• Size: Larger ATVs are more likely to roll over, making them more dangerous.
• Engine capacity: Bigger engines cost more to replace.

Newer ATVs may also cost more to insure than older models. Ultimately, how much the ATV could cost insurance to fix will impact your premiums. 

Driving History and Experience

Younger drivers pay higher premiums for all auto insurance, including ATV insurance. Your rates will be higher if you are under 20 years old. Additionally, a history of moving violations or previous accidents can raise your premiums.

Location and Usage

In Chicago, ATV use is mostly on private land. However, in central and southern Illinois, people may use ATVs for farm work or drive on trail systems, which increases usage and risk. Insurance companies use these factors to determine premiums. 

Regular ATV riding can mean that you are charged more, as you’re more likely to get into an accident. 

Coverage Limits and Deductibles

If you carry high coverage limits, the insurance policy will be forced to pay more in the case of damage. These policies offer financial protection in the long run, but the premiums will cost you more in the short term. Consider the actual cash value and whether you should extend coverage based on your circumstances, such as riding frequently or with minors. 

What to Do After an ATV Accident

ATV accidents are often more severe than car accidents because you have less protection. Take these steps to protect your health and well-being immediately following an ATV accident. 

Seek Medical Attention

An ATV accident can result in serious injury, so you should always call 911 if you feel hurt. Because many ATV accidents happen on inaccessible and dangerous terrain, you may be asked to move closer to a major road. 

Report the Accident

Always get a police report for an ATV accident case, as this can help you pursue compensation. If you were on public land, such as a state park or forest preserve, you should call the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) or the local sheriff’s office in addition to the police department. 

Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company to report the accident. This could be your auto insurance or a separate ATV policy. Share the details of what happened with them, but avoid admitting fault or taking blame for the accident. 

Let them know the circumstances of the accident and who was involved. Provide any witness statements or police reports to support your claim. 

Consult with a Lawyer

Consult with a lawyer after an ATV accident. A Chicago personal injury attorney from our team can help provide legal advice, especially if there are injuries, disputes over liability, or questions about insurance coverage. We help clients across the Chicagoland area, including Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, and Lake County. 

We can help negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to seek compensation and will represent you throughout the court process if they refuse to settle for a fair amount. We can help you: 

• Gather evidence to pursue legal action
• Identify a fair settlement in cases like yours
• Determine how much you’re owed for severe injuries sustained in the accident
• Access information, such as police reports
• Determine if you’re eligible for a liability claim
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
• File a personal injury lawsuit if negotiations are unsuccessful

We can help recover compensation for a variety of damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In wrongful death cases, we can recover damages for burial expenses and grief. 

Consult an ATV Accident Lawyer Near You!

ATV accidents can cause mental harm, personal injury, and damage to personal property. An ATV accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for these damages. Our team of qualified lawyers is on standby to answer all your questions. 

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out this form for a free consultation and to learn your legal options. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.