Summer Activities Could Require Additional Insurance

Whether in a car, on a motorcycle or jumping on a trampoline, experts told Consumer 10’s Kurt Ludlow on Tuesday that consumers need to be covered by the proper insurance.
 
Eric Martineau, a longtime scooter owner, said that he knows he has to be prepared for all situations.
 
“Two wheels are just a great way to see Columbus,” Martineau said. “It’s a relatively flat city, easy to navigate.”
 
Martineau said that you must have insurance to operate scooters on the road.
 
“The first thing you learn, early on, they’re motor vehicles,” Martineau said. “So, simply by owning one, and wanting to operate it on the street, you have to have insurance coverage.”
 
Capital City Scooter owner Caitlin Didier said that insurance coverage is not recommended, it is required.
 
“Scooter insurance should cost around $250 a year, so it’s pretty inexpensive. We usually recommend to get full coverage,” Didier said. “They can also drop it over the winter if they don’t want to ride year round.”
 
According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, motorcycles and scooters are not covered by standard auto policies. A separate policy must be purchased to cover liability and damage.
 
ATVs are not covered by standard auto policies either, although some homeowners’ policies may partially cover liability. Small boats also could be covered by homeowners’ policies.
 
Personal watercrafts, like jet skies, require separate insurance coverage, Ludlow reported.
 
Some insurance companies also may not insure properties if owners have trampolines or swimming pools.
 
Insurance companies can cancel coverage if residents do not inform them of pools or trampolines, Ludlow reported.
 
According to experts, an umbrella policy is often the best option.
 
Martineau said that it was better to be safe than sorry.
 
“I don’t want to be in a position where if something bad happens, that I don’t have the coverage to get me well or get the damages taken care of,” Martineau said.
 
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