Umbrella insurance policy with golf cart
 

A colleague from another state was just informed by his current insurance carrier, travelers that they would be unable to write an umbrella policy because his golf cart has rear facing back seats. As many of you have such a cart I was wondering if you had ever run into a similar limitation?

No, find another carrier.

Whenever I have looked at umbrella policies, they only covered the same risks as the underlying homeowners or automotive insurance policies, but they increased the liability limits. Personally, I would only need additional liability coverage for automobile accidents. If you are comfortable with a $1 million limit on automotive liability, you can get that amount with a regular Allstate or State Farm auto policy. Many other auto companies have a maximum liability limit of $250K, which I think is inadequate. I have never found the extra cost for an umbrella policy to be worth the cost. I have $1 million in liability with my State Farm auto policy, and $500K with my Progressive homeowner's policy.

Dam, I’ve heard of being denied for things like having a trampoline, a diving board, or owning certain breeds of dogs like a pit bull, but that’s a new one. Apparently they have been hit with some expensive claims from clients owning that type of golf cart. Thinking about it, it’s not surprising based on some of the things I observed this winter involving those type of carts, which were accidents waiting to happen.

Yes, that happened to me with Travelers.

Was in the insurance industry for 40 years and new one to me. That exclusion will need to be in the policy. Personally I would not ride on a rear facing seat and very happy that sales person talked me out of this option

If you buy an umbrella policy, make sure that it includes additional risks (not fewer risks) that are not already covered in the underlying homeowner's and auto policies. In my opinion, if all it does is to increase the liability limits of these policies, you are wasting your money. What good will it do to buy a $3 million umbrella policy and you get sued for $10 million or $50 million? If you get sued, what you really need is a good lawyer. Otherwise, your umbrella policy will just make the plaintiff lawyers richer.

MOST COMMON
multi seat cart

the wifey had seatbelts
added before delivery
of her “Honey Buggy”
(she is not a golfer) …

… ALSO
learned that the carts
with forward facing rear
seats cost more to insure

:laugh::laugh:honey buggy

try Progressive

Rear facing golf cart
 

Pardon my ignorance, but why is that type of cart dangerous. Especially if you’re wearing a seat belt?
Thank you.

Travellers
 

Travelers denied Umbrella policy for us too. Don’t understand but they told me they write few Umbrella Policy and it’s because we have a trust. Just another excuse

I would agree. I do not like the rear facing seats! Especially on gas carts with their exhaust.

Umbrella Insurance
 

Yes, we could not get Traveller's policy due to rear facing 4 seater golf cart.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

It's not worth it. My straight golf cart insurance is quoted as $132.27/yr ($250k limit), but to add in under an umbrella adds an additional $184/yr ($1M limit) as a recreational vehicle!!!

I can't imagine needing an umbrella policy. They're cheap enough; if I break my umbrella, I can just buy a new one.

Our "add" was less than $20/yr.

Not an issue for me, but I read my Allstate renewal policy for my 2009 Yamaha Drive 2 seat golf cart. They had the correct serial number, but called by a different model name, one that Yamaha did not use until 2021. I inquired. I sent pdf file of the owners manual. They wanted pictures. I sent these. Their underwriter now wants to classify my golf cart as a street legal low speed vehicle because it has rear view mirrors, and headlights. I sent them copies of the Florida statute defining golf carts and low speed vehicles. Mine is definitely a golf cart. No reply for almost a week now.

The insurance business is getting more educated on golf cart safety. Travelers and others have probably learned that when you put the weight of a human body on the rear facing seat of a golf cart it can cause handling issues with the cart. Put 300-500 lbs. on the back of a rear facing seat cart and take a corner. When you do, the opposing tire will be barely on the ground if at all. Very dangerous. I actually witnessed one of these flip on its side because of this.

Most likely, it's considered a significant modification from "stock" as sold by the manufacturer. I am not aware of ANY golf cart manufacturer providing rear facing seats. Rear facing seat just happened to be the modification that got them denied. Large tires, lift kits, speed enhancements, etc. might also fall into the category to get coverage denied. I was told by a Yamaha rep that you should never add a rear seat because the frame and suspension was never designed for the added weight.

I was told by a Yam Rep, the rear facing seats installed by TV is authorized and does not impact the warranty, performance, safety. Yes, 500lbs could impact it......but there are weight limits on "everything".

Last year we received a notice that our State Farm cart policy would no longer insure 4 seater with rear facing. It was a blanket info letter, we don’t own one so maybe just a heads up in case we were thinking rear facing would be beneficial

Interesting. We haven’t received that letter from State Farm and we have one. Our annual policy just renewed at same rate as always.

Yes, and we all have seen the average sized of a "Villager" "Danger Will Robinson, Danger"!

I think the point is, Insurance companies get data on accidents, etc. and something somewhere is showing golf carts with rear facing seats have more accidents and they don't want that risk anymore. What else needs to be said?

And, I wouldn't be "fooling around" with liability insurance becasue in an extreme case where someone gets really hurt, they could take much of what you have.

I would check State Farm. I have a golf cart and umbrella insurance was not a problem, never asked about rear facing seats. I have been with SF since college, almost 40 yrs. The umbrella is not cheap in FL. I built my home here couple years ago. Went to SF and learned my umbrella was 6 times the cost in WA, both SF offices. I asked why am I paying 600% more than I was in WA, she said FL is a very litigious State. Great :(

yes, FL is a very litigious state, though I can't figure out if its the state legal setup, or if its the type of residents who live here, with such a disparity of incomes throughout the state. .

If you have assets(besides real estate) might not be a good idea. Persons falling from a golf cart can die or have serious injuries. Hitting pavement at 20 MPH not good

And a street legal vehicle requires glass and windshield wipers

Hard to understand this as we have everything in a trust. Travelers has had us covered on everything including an umbrella policy for 10 years now. We just paid our annual premium for the umbrella last month.
Something with your situation is not adding up.