Mandatory Insurance

[ejcamaro]

I understand your point of view completely, but mandatory insurance would knock me out of sledding completely. Sure, I can sell some blood or figure out a way to get a couple hundred bucks for one sled, but if you have a family of 4, $1000 isn't gonna happen. If my family can't be involved Mama's gonna say I'm done. Every year the cost of sledding goes up in an economy that can't afford it. If you can afford insurance it's really easy to look down on others that can't and blame them for your high rates, but mandatory insurance won't lower your rates anyways. 2010 is the first year for mandatory car insurance in Wisconsin, I'm still waiting for my insurance company to call me and say my rate has gone down- not gonna happen, just more money for them.

 

[northernguy10]

I don't know all the rules & reg in all the different states and provinces. But I grew up with insurance in place. Know that we have a trail system that grooms 24/7, 43000 km to ride on some crown land some private, thats from sledder choice.ca for ONTARIO, CANADA. oddly enought their are day's when I can see maybe 2-3 people, then others days I can see 500-600 maybe more people. here in Ontario's trail system that you have to buy a permit. I've ridden in southern & northern Ontario, we have speed limits, zero percent alcohol,spot checks fines that are reflected on our drivers licence. this is not to scare you from riding, but to keep you aware that your not alone. I personally love riding in northen quebec how's trails are in (my opinion unmatched) I am sure that the number of member on this site would confirm this. I don't think that insurance will scare people from enjoying snowmobiling, unfortunately their is always a few bad eggs out there!........hope you don't stop riding and never need for insurance.

 

[snerkman]

Mandatory insurance will knock a lot of sleds off the trail = less money to keep the trails open. A family that has a couple of 1991 Phazers is not going to pay for insurance when they hit the trail once or twice a season. Especially if they have to insure a sled for their 12 year old son for major bucks. One less new kid that could have gotten introduced to snowmobiling. I say the government should stay the hell out of it and if an individual is scared of uninsured sleds they should get full coverage for themselves.
Sled manufacturers would pay the price in new sled sales too. It's already hard enough to afford payments on a new sled. Don't get me wrong, insurance is a great idea if you have the means to afford it, but in an industry already in trouble, why would you want to make it even more expensive.

X2 - Well said. The government should stay the hell out of our lives. Seat belts, helmets, insurance, etc, should all be up to the individual. Just like smoking is. Tell me it doesn't raise health insurance rates for non-smokers. So what. This is supposed to be a free society and that means EVERYONE assumes a bit of the risk and the cost to keep it free so that EVERYONE can make their own choices. If you want to minimize your risk, that's fine. Your choice, you pay to do so. But don't mandate it for everyone.

 

[newyorker_79]

I understand your point of view completely, but mandatory insurance would knock me out of sledding completely. Sure, I can sell some blood or figure out a way to get a couple hundred bucks for one sled, but if you have a family of 4, $1000 isn't gonna happen. If my family can't be involved Mama's gonna say I'm done. Every year the cost of sledding goes up in an economy that can't afford it. If you can afford insurance it's really easy to look down on others that can't and blame them for your high rates, but mandatory insurance won't lower your rates anyways. 2010 is the first year for mandatory car insurance in Wisconsin, I'm still waiting for my insurance company to call me and say my rate has gone down- not gonna happen, just more money for them.

The problem with the mandatory insurance, is that they raised the minimum coverages by law. So, MANDATORY auto insurance raised our rates too. I'm paying the same as I was when I had a motorcycle last year, with no motorcycle. (hit a deer Labor Day weekend, and totalled it) As far as snowmobile insurance, I have a loan so I'm required to carry it. $20/month for full coverage on '06 Nytro. I can cut back on that much. That's also 1 reason I pay monthly. It just doesn't seem to hurt so bad.

 

[Cummins6.7pwr]

Say joe blow uninsured rider crosses the center of the trail and wacks me. Say I end up with major injuries. I am now out of sledding, truckin, my house, just to pay for little uninsured boys chance to save a couple hundred on insurance. Ya I have full coverage, and it cost me more because of the uninsured tucker wanna be's out on the trail. So to say it would keep people from ridding can be a two way street. Iowa requires sled insurance, last year was the highest # of sleds ever registered in the state. If you want to do it you will find a way.

Are you sure it is required on a sled here in Iowa? I have never been asked for proof of insurance by the DNR or any state official. I know it is mandatory for a car, but not so sure about the sleds. Just asking, not causin' problems.

 

[IFlyEm]

X2 - Well said. The government should stay the hell out of our lives. Seat belts, helmets, insurance, etc, should all be up to the individual. Just like smoking is. Tell me it doesn't raise health insurance rates for non-smokers. So what. This is supposed to be a free society and that means EVERYONE assumes a bit of the risk and the cost to keep it free so that EVERYONE can make their own choices. If you want to minimize your risk, that's fine. Your choice, you pay to do so. But don't mandate it for everyone.

So who should pay for the medical bills when someone puts their face through the windshield or scrambles their brains on a bike.

I could careless what people do when it ONLY affects them. But when some idiot refuses to wear a seatbelt or a helmet and spends a month in the ICU who do you think pays for that??? One persons rights should not impose on anothers.

 

[ejcamaro]

"I could careless what people do when it ONLY affects them. But when some idiot refuses to wear a seatbelt or a helmet and spends a month in the ICU who do you think pays for that??? One persons rights should not impose on anothers."
None of us should be riding sleds if that's your theory. If you become a vegetable by hitting a tree, your insurance is only going to pay so much before your on state funded care.

 

[IFlyEm]

Where do those state funds come from?

 

[maxdlx]

Are you sure it is required on a sled here in Iowa? I have never been asked for proof of insurance by the DNR or any state official. I know it is mandatory for a car, but not so sure about the sleds. Just asking, not causin' problems.[/quote]


We have been stopped just to be checked for it, but only after dark. Its like the old orange flag law, it is used more for smelling your breath than anything. Last year Cedar Co made you show proof of Ins to get your registration, this year it was on file so i didn't need it. I am sure some counties don't bother with it. Paul

 

[maxdlx]

I found this searching for insurnce in Iowa, I didn't know ut of staters now need a permit to ride in Iowa.

Iowa

There are 4,920 miles of groomed trails in Iowa. Registration Fee: $15 annually. Starting with the 2005 Winter season, there will be out-of-state trail passes required @ $15 each. According the DNR, you will be able to purchase license, trail passes, and other states trail passes at electronic licensing agents in Iowa. i.e. Walmart, local hardware store and C-stores.

 

[Cummins6.7pwr]

Thanks for the info, Paul. That is news to me. Jones County has never asked for proof of insurance and the DNR that we got to meet in Central City didn't ask either. I just thought that it was not mandatory. I carry full coverage on both sleds anyway. Good thing I do because I had to use it a month ago!

 

[maxdlx]

Contacted the Iowa state snowmobile #*$&@, and asked is it or is it not mandatory in Iowa to have insurance this is the response I got

Yes it is mandatory that you at least have liability insurance.

Glad to help



Diane Childs

 

[srvfan]

WOW i can't believe that some of you guys just got mandantory insurance for cars!! That's amazing!!!!

What happend before if you got hit? Lets say car totaled and 50k in medical bills plus a month outta work. Your telling me that if some drunk yahoo hit me I'd get NO MONEY because he didn't have insurance and I'd have to pay?? that's just crazy!

 

[srvfan]

WOW i can't believe that some of you guys just got mandantory insurance for cars!! That's amazing!!!!

What happend before if you got hit? Lets say car totaled and 50k in medical bills plus a month outta work. Your telling me that if some drunk yahoo hit me I'd get NO MONEY because he didn't have insurance and I'd have to pay?? that's just crazy!

 

[snerkman]

X2 - Well said. The government should stay the hell out of our lives. Seat belts, helmets, insurance, etc, should all be up to the individual. Just like smoking is. Tell me it doesn't raise health insurance rates for non-smokers. So what. This is supposed to be a free society and that means EVERYONE assumes a bit of the risk and the cost to keep it free so that EVERYONE can make their own choices. If you want to minimize your risk, that's fine. Your choice, you pay to do so. But don't mandate it for everyone.

So who should pay for the medical bills when someone puts their face through the windshield or scrambles their brains on a bike.

I could careless what people do when it ONLY affects them. But when some idiot refuses to wear a seatbelt or a helmet and spends a month in the ICU who do you think pays for that??? One persons rights should not impose on anothers.

I guess you didn't really read my post since it spells out in capital letters who pays. It's called having a free society. When you attempt to legislate all risk away, then you're no longer a free society.