Golf cart insurance
 

I will be calling my insurance agent to confirm but I heard if someone is driving a gas powered cart without a drivers license and causes an accident that the insurance will deny the claim. Is this true?

good question......can't wait to see the answer....

Your asking an open ended question that has alot of "it Depends".

Some golf cart policy riders especially ones that are attached to your home owners policy specifically state coverage is only provided when used on a golf course or to/from a golf course.....if the accident occurs on a public road.....claim could be in jeopardy.

Is the gas powered (or electric for that matter) cart set up as a low speed vehicle that is not licensed and /or the driver does not have a drivers license ...that could cause denial of any claim.

Are you renting your golf cart to someone, or allowing someone under age to drive, that could be the basis for denial.

You do not under normal circumstances need a drivers license to operate a gas/electric powered cart (ie speed limited to 19.5mph). Although the state of Florida allows someone as young as 14 to drive a golf cart, you certainly should check with your agent and look at the fine print or exclusions.

In your specific example, you are probably referring to someone driving a low speed cart (makes no difference gas or electric) and if the driver does not have a Drivers license but gets in an accident, you could be negligent for allowing someone to drive a cart that is required to have license plates and the driver a license... Insurance requirements (and rates) are vastly different for low-speed carts (vs golf carts) and if the cart was not described properly, most likely claim would be denied.

It is gas powered and not a rental. It is used to get around in the villages but I do not have a license. It is not a low speed vehicle and can only do <20 mph. I will check with my insurance. It is with Formost.

Good question. I think you are ok. You can Google golf cart under the state of Florida to see the laws.

Be sure you explain to the insurance company that the roads are public roads and not owned by the home owners. Also the MMP are owned by the home owners.

No amenities in The Villages are owned by any homeowners.

Not true. Dig up your car and golf cart insurance policies and see if you can see any wording that says all users of the insured vehicle must have valid drivers licenses. No such requirement exists.

Did you ever have a license?
Is it/was it ever suspended or revoked?
DWI's or other serious violations?

A fourteen year old can drive a golf cart in the state of Florida. I don't believe they can get a drivers license at that age.

One thing I wonder is if you can buy golf cart insurance in your name if you have no license? Just normal golf cart insurance not street legal insurance. When I worked for the insurance company I used to hear it over and over again how your homeowners covers you while on the golf course only, not on our streets. The golf cart policy I have is through Progressive and it is called a motorcycle policy but is written for a golf cart.

No 'bad' marks on my driving record. I just don't have one now. I can't pass the eye test.
The villages insurance said non linse persons are covered on my Formost Golf Cart policy.

However, if a doctor has said I should not drive a golf cart they may deny the claim.

I wonder how they would research THAT. It is so subject to opinion and frankly I take it to mean I may have issues getting the claim covered if I should ever need this.

Now what does that mean to everyone else? It COULD mean that if you had an accident on your golf cart, the insurance company may say they won't cover your claim if you have a condition they determine that may lessen your ability to drive. It could mean arthritis that slows your movements, it may mean hearing loss because you can't hear other carts or cars. it may include medicines that slow your thinking like benedryl.

I say it is a slippery slope to allow insurance company's to deny a claim if it isn't specifically in the fine print.

The insurance company can only do what's outlined in the policy. There is no language in the policy, or the "fine print" which would allow them to deny coverage under the circumstances you described. No doubt insurance carriers would love to have language that allows them to deny coverage for drunk driving, but that isn't there.

If they did uncover such an issue, you would most likely be cancelled, but they can't do that retroactively unless you lied on the application for insurance, and if you told them the truth at that time, they wouldn't have issued the policy.

So if your golf cart insurer would not have issued you a policy on your golf cart because you couldn't pass the DMV eye test, you could have a problem. But if they knew that problem existed and issued the policy anyway, it's a non issue.

Isn't it dangerous to drive a cart on the MMP if you cannot see?
Maybe you were the one approaching me this morning, in the wrong lane.

Nope. I was home all day. I know I am a better driver than many. I take the responsibility very seriously I assure you.

Off road vehicles are written on the motorcycle form because they do not come under the Florida no fault law. Golf carts are considered off road vehicles. Counties have approved golf carts operating on certain roads and at night. Most companies that write golf cart insurance require a drivers license to purchase their policies. (Company Underwriting) Florida however does not require you have a drivers license to operate a golf cart in Florida.

Marion County passed and approved crossing 441 at the Spruce Creek entrance on a golf cart)

Golf carts can be electric or gas powered. Golf carts by Florida law have max speed of less than 20 mph.

Low speed vehicles which by Florida law have maximum speed of 25mph. Low speed vehicles are considered an auto under Florida law and are required to have no fault insurance as well as minimum required coverage. A drivers license is required.

It is always best to speak to a licensed insurance agent to find out what kind of coverage you need and what the company underwriting requirements are.