[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by iandwk

To me, the main point is that if you have a modified cart you are not covered by insurance. You may think you are since you paid the premium, but you pay for golf cart insurance. If it is modified, it's no longer a golf cart under Florida law and your insurer will not pay the claims. This is not something I have imagined. It came directly from an Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified. If it has, they stop their investigation right there and will not pay anything. The speed the cart was going when the accident occurred is irrelevant. The modification nullifies the policy even though the cart may only have been traveling 10mph. End of story. If you are involved in an accident and it is determined to be your fault, it will come out of your pocket. If there are injuries, it can cost you dearly. Your retirement could even be in jeopardy due to medical expenses for the injured party, not to mention the lawsuit that is bound to follow.

I think this is the single most important post in this 104 post thread.

[JenAjd]

Originally Posted by iandwk

To me, the main point is that if you have a modified cart you are not covered by insurance. You may think you are since you paid the premium, but you pay for golf cart insurance. If it is modified, it's no longer a golf cart under Florida law and your insurer will not pay the claims. This is not something I have imagined. It came directly from an Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified. If it has, they stop their investigation right there and will not pay anything. The speed the cart was going when the accident occurred is irrelevant. The modification nullifies the policy even though the cart may only have been traveling 10mph. End of story. If you are involved in an accident and it is determined to be your fault, it will come out of your pocket. If there are injuries, it can cost you dearly. Your retirement could even be in jeopardy due to medical expenses for the injured party, not to mention the lawsuit that is bound to follow.

I was seriously thinking about modifying my cart before I went to this seminar. Once I got this information, I decided to stay legal. I enjoy my retirement too much to risk losing it so I can drive a golf cart 25mph.

This explains it pretty clearly for me...don't know what the "kick" is about modifying a cart anyway. It truly makes me nervous to see the "road-ready" carts out amongst traffic. NOT a safe prospect in my view. PLUS if you want "fast"...drive your car!!!

[mrdills]

Have you ever tried to stop a regular golf car going 20MPH...............

[red tail]

Originally Posted by mrdills

Have you ever tried to stop a regular golf car going 20MPH...............

i agree with mr dills.......if you want to go fast get a lsv......they are safe and the purchase price is comparable to a golf cart. insurance is more but the added safety is worth it!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by iandwk

It came directly from an Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified. If it has, they stop their investigation right there and will not pay anything. The modification nullifies the policy even though the cart may only have been traveling 10mph. End of story.

I hope that this important piece of information is read and understood by all golf cart drivers.

Modifying your golf cart could cost you your happy retirement.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by iandwk

To me, the main point is that if you have a modified cart you are not covered by insurance. You may think you are since you paid the premium, but you pay for golf cart insurance. If it is modified, it's no longer a golf cart under Florida law and your insurer will not pay the claims. This is not something I have imagined. It came directly from an Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified. If it has, they stop their investigation right there and will not pay anything. The speed the cart was going when the accident occurred is irrelevant. The modification nullifies the policy even though the cart may only have been traveling 10mph. End of story. If you are involved in an accident and it is determined to be your fault, it will come out of your pocket. If there are injuries, it can cost you dearly. Your retirement could even be in jeopardy due to medical expenses for the injured party, not to mention the lawsuit that is bound to follow.

I was seriously thinking about modifying my cart before I went to this seminar. Once I got this information, I decided to stay legal. I enjoy my retirement too much to risk losing it so I can drive a golf cart 25mph.

These points have been made before and can't be repeated too often. Any one who reads iandwk's message and does not heed it is taking a great risk. It would be like buying a new car and not insuring it. The loss could be catastrophic.

I want to emphasis one of iandwks comments. "Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified.". An insurance adjusters job is to make sure the company does not pay any claims that they do not have to.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by eyegirl

I was told that if your cart is street legal, you can drive on the ROAD faster than 20 mph and be okay...is this true? (my cart goes 33 mph)

eyegirl, a legal street vehicle is not supposed to exceed 25 mph.

[memason]

Originally Posted by downeaster

"Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified.". .

While this seems an intuitive statement and I have no doubt an agent stated this, I'm not sure it would be legal for them to refuse coverage, based upon a speed modification. If it isn't written in the policy, it would be hard to enforce. This would be the same as you changing the type of tire on your car and then your agent telling you the tires were not as safe as the original equipment; therefore, no coverage....or more specifically, you modify your cars performance in one way or another and then your insurance is voided.

Just my thinking and that's why there are exclusions on your policy...

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by memason

While this seems an intuitive statement and I have no doubt an agent stated this, I'm not sure it would be legal for them to refuse coverage, based upon a speed modification. If it isn't written in the policy, it would be hard to enforce. This would be the same as you changing the type of tire on your car and then your agent telling you the tires were not as safe as the original equipment; therefore, no coverage....or more specifically, you modify your cars performance in one way or another and then your insurance is voided.

Just my thinking and that's why there are exclusions on your policy...

If you insure your private car, then use it for drag racing or rental or livery or a thrill show or stock car racing or target practice, your insurance company will not pay. Speed control equipment is considered safety equipment. If you alter the safety equipment to allow speed faster than that which is legal, I'm sure your insurance company will have a good case. I'll bet that that exclusion is in the policy.

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by memason

While this seems an intuitive statement and I have no doubt an agent stated this, I'm not sure it would be legal for them to refuse coverage, based upon a speed modification. If it isn't written in the policy, it would be hard to enforce. This would be the same as you changing the type of tire on your car and then your agent telling you the tires were not as safe as the original equipment; therefore, no coverage....or more specifically, you modify your cars performance in one way or another and then your insurance is voided.

Just my thinking and that's why there are exclusions on your policy...

Oh yes, it WOULD be legal to deny coverage - because it would no longer meet the Definition of the covered vehicle. I'm a former auto insurance claims adjuster, and believe me, we were trained to look for these things and deny coverage when it is appropriate - and it is appropriate if it doesn't meet the definition.

Please note there is a DIFFERENCE between an insurance agent (who sells policies) and an insurance adjuster (who handles claims on policies). Just because an agent told you something was covered does NOT mean that it actually is. Trust me on this one.

Some coverage exclusions are spelled out - but not all. There is a lot of gray area, but normally courts (where policy language is tested regularly) always go back to the Definitions. Of course, juries can mostly decide anything they want, but insurance companies have the means to pursue an unfavorable judgment further (by appealing). I personally wouldn't want to take the chance.

[iandwk]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

Oh yes, it WOULD be legal to deny coverage - because it would no longer meet the Definition of the covered vehicle. I'm a former auto insurance claims adjuster, and believe me, we were trained to look for these things and deny coverage when it is appropriate - and it is appropriate if it doesn't meet the definition.

Please note there is a DIFFERENCE between an insurance agent (who sells policies) and an insurance adjuster (who handles claims on policies). Just because an agent told you something was covered does NOT mean that it actually is. Trust me on this one.

Some coverage exclusions are spelled out - but not all. There is a lot of gray area, but normally courts (where policy language is tested regularly) always go back to the Definitions. Of course, juries can mostly decide anything they want, but insurance companies have the means to pursue an unfavorable judgment further (by appealing). I personally wouldn't want to take the chance.

This is pretty much what the agent said at the seminar. You buy coverage for a golf cart. If it has been modified, it no longer meets the state's definition of a golf cart and the agency will not cover it, since you either fraudulently obtained the policy with the claim that it was a golf cart or fraudulently maintained the policy after altering it. Ignorance of the terms of the policy is no excuse. If I had any doubts I would contact an attorney. Like the quote above, I wouldn't just trust the agent.

I think all of us have been around long enough to know that it will be hard enough to get an adjuster to properly pay a claim if you are completely legal.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

eyegirl, a legal street vehicle is not supposed to exceed 25 mph.

The exception would be if you are on Buena Vista or Morse Blvd.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by iandwk

To me, the main point is that if you have a modified cart you are not covered by insurance. You may think you are since you paid the premium, but you pay for golf cart insurance. If it is modified, it's no longer a golf cart under Florida law and your insurer will not pay the claims. This is not something I have imagined. It came directly from an Allstate agent at a golf cart safety seminar at Savannah Center. She stated that when one of their insured carts is in an accident the first thing they do is check to see if it has been modified. If it has, they stop their investigation right there and will not pay anything. The speed the cart was going when the accident occurred is irrelevant. The modification nullifies the policy even though the cart may only have been traveling 10mph. End of story. If you are involved in an accident and it is determined to be your fault, it will come out of your pocket. If there are injuries, it can cost you dearly. Your retirement could even be in jeopardy due to medical expenses for the injured party, not to mention the lawsuit that is bound to follow.

I was seriously thinking about modifying my cart before I went to this seminar. Once I got this information, I decided to stay legal. I enjoy my retirement too much to risk losing it so I can drive a golf cart MPH.

Nice quote, but...

Define modified. In my opinion and for your information our carts are modified. Prior to modification, they would only do about 12 mph. Gears have been changed (modified). Tire size increased for the purpose of speed. (modified). I am sure that that's not all. My cart is as it came from the show room. For the most part, it'll bounce between 19 and 20 mph. If I keep the peddle to the metal for some distance it can hit 22 but that takes a lot of "ideal" conditions. I had it in for annual service last week. I rechecked the speed. It hit 23 (for less than a second) on a steep down grade, "floored". I asked about this and was told "that's about right. These things can't be adjusted that accurately and speed changes with time." So, just what is "modified?" Am I going to jail? Are the speed traps for "revenue enhancement"? Do the insurance companies plan to use these "modifications" as an out if the claim gets too big?

I never intend to brake the law. Do I speed? No but I bet that on occasion my golf cart does.

Maybe I need to get rid of my golf cart and get a bike. Where do I put my clubs? If I have to stop too often I loose my balance but I guess that's what helmets are for. Can I get a ticket for running a stop signe on a bike? What if I speed going down hill?

Oh CRAP. I thought retirement was going to be fun.

Just some thoughts

Yoda

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by memason

While this seems an intuitive statement and I have no doubt an agent stated this, I'm not sure it would be legal for them to refuse coverage, based upon a speed modification. If it isn't written in the policy, it would be hard to enforce. This would be the same as you changing the type of tire on your car and then your agent telling you the tires were not as safe as the original equipment; therefore, no coverage....or more specifically, you modify your cars performance in one way or another and then your insurance is voided.

Just my thinking and that's why there are exclusions on your policy...

It is written in my policy in very clear terms. I could dig out that section of the policy and post the actual wording here but, trust me, it's there.

It has already been said here that there is a difference between an agent and an adjuster. An agent is trying to earn a commission and an adjuster is paid to determine the validity of the claim and they are well trained in their art.

[iandwk]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Nice quote, but...

Define modified. In my opinion and for your information our carts are modified. Prior to modification, they would only do about 12 mph. Gears have been changed (modified). Tire size increased for the purpose of speed. (modified). I am sure that that's not all. My cart is as it came from the show room. For the most part, it'll bounce between 19 and 20 mph. If I keep the peddle to the metal for some distance it can hit 22 but that takes a lot of "ideal" conditions. I had it in for annual service last week. I rechecked the speed. It hit 23 (for less than a second) on a steep down grade, "floored". I asked about this and was told "that's about right. These things can't be adjusted that accurately and speed changes with time." So, just what is "modified?" Am I going to jail? Are the speed traps for "revenue enhancement"? Do the insurance companies plan to use these "modifications" as an out if the claim gets too big?

I never intend to brake the law. Do I speed? No but I bet that on occasion my golf cart does.

Maybe I need to get rid of my golf cart and get a bike. Where do I put my clubs? If I have to stop too often I loose my balance but I guess that's what helmets are for. Can I get a ticket for running a stop signe on a bike? What if I speed going down hill?

Oh CRAP. I thought retirement was going to be fun.

Just some thoughts

Yoda

I thought it was obvious that "modified" as used in this context refers to a golf cart that has been modified so that it no longer fits the state's definition of a golf cart, instead being made fast enough to be an lsv. In case you haven't noticed there are many many carts running around in TV that are not street legal, yet go at least 25mph. One doesn't have to agree with it, and one can protest by modifying his or her golf cart without ever being caught. Just be ready to pay if something happens.

If you are in doubt about your cart, find the deputy at Spanish Springs and he will check the speed of your cart and tell you if you are in compliance. He said any night but Friday and Saturday because he is too busy with teenagers. He will take you to a parking lot in the area and test with his radar. He promised no tickets if you are too fast, but if you are too fast he said he will strongly urge you to get it fixed. He was at the same seminar as the Allstate agent, and he said that they are really watching for golf carts that have been modified to do 25 mph or more. He said they caught one guy doing 36 mph.

I know myself well enough to know that if my cart will do 30, I will drive it at 30. Maybe not all the time, but the temptation will be too great to avoid. Couple that with no insurance coverage and it has the potential for financial disaster.