Golf carts have become a common means of transportation for many families. While offering convenience, golf carts lack many safety features and are more dangerous than you may think. They have a high center of gravity, causing them to tip over easily. Without seatbelts or doors, passengers can easily be thrown from the golf cart if the driver makes a sudden turn or stop.
Unfortunately, golf cart accidents continue to rise, with many resulting in injuries or even death. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that more than 60% of children injured in golf cart incidents suffer traumatic brain injuries.
As your insurance advisor, these safety issues are concerning, particularly when we see children behind the wheel. Home and auto insurance policies are not designed to provide coverage when a golf cart is being used as a means of transportation.
Let’s look at some of the most common golf cart questions we receive:
Question: “Does my homeowner’s policy cover my ATV or golf cart?”
Answer: Only when the ATV or golf cart is being used on your residence premise and solely for the maintenance of your property. Your homeowner’s insurance does not provide coverage when you are using your golf cart as a means of transportation.
We recommend purchasing a specialized policy to provide coverage when your ATV or golf cart is used for pleasure, whether on or off your property.
Question: “Will my auto policy cover my ATV, boat, golf cart, or motorcycle if something should happen while I am transporting my recreational vehicle on the road?”
Answer: Your auto policy may provide coverage for damage to your car if your car is damaged by pulling one of these recreational vehicles. However, your auto policy will not pay to repair a recreational vehicles damaged during transport. A specialized policy will provide physical damage for your golf cart or ATV, liability coverage up to $500,000, and will cover recreational use when you are away from your residence. Medical payments coverage is offered for up to $25,000, giving you coverage for recreational use and while away from your residence.
Note: In May of 2025, the South Carolina legislature passed new legislation regarding golf cart safety. Click here to see how this new law affects you.
If you have any questions or need to talk about insuring your golf cart, please contact us today.
The Turner Agency, Inc. is a local Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency based in Greenville, South Carolina. Serving the Upstate of South Carolina and beyond since 1962, we offer a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs for home, auto, business, or other insurance products.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources and is not all-inclusive regarding the subject matter. This content is offered for educational purposes only.
