In The Villages, FL, golf carts are not an uncommon means of transportation among the community's residents. What many people are unaware of however, is that they could be liable if their golf cart, though convenient, isn't properly insured.
While many people take comfort in thinking that their golf cart is covered by their homeowners policy, manager of The Villages Homeowners Association, Jodi Harner, explained why that is a dangerous assumption. She explained to The Villages Daily Sun that companies usually only cover golf carts when driving from the home to the golf course and vice versa. This may provide comfort to the avid golfers, but for the large number of residents who use their carts as a primary mode of transportation within the community roads, there is a large risk involved.
Harner and local insurance agents are urging residents to take the necessary extra steps to obtain insurance specifically for their golf carts. Depending on the value of the cart, insurance is usually relatively inexpensive compared to the possibility of paying thousands in medical bills resulting from golf cart accident injuries. Harner further explained that even if one's homeowners insurance will not insure their cart, buying a separate policy from another company that covers collision, bodily injury liability, and property liability usually runs to be around $100 and is well worth it.
Although this kind of insurance is highly recommended, it is actually not mandatory for "true" golf carts. Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office explained to The Villages Daily Sun that "by Florida statute, a golf cart is defined as a vehicle going to and from the golf course, and statute specifies that golf carts not be capable of exceeding 20 mph. If you modify it to go faster than that, it's considered a motor vehicle." (The Daily Sun). In other words, if driving a modified cart, residents can be issued a citation for operating a motor vehicle without registration, which can equate in a court appointment. Further, if there is an accident in an illegal cart, it is possible that one's insurance company may deny the claim.
The Law Offices of John T. Grove, located at 8630 County Road 466, The Villages, Florida 32161 handles injury claims including automobile accidents, golf cart accidents and slip and fall injuries. Insuring one's golf cart under its own policy is recommended to protect yourself against the unfortunate possibility of an accident with the cart.
