Off-road insurance is just what it sounds like: a type of auto insurance created specifically for off-road vehicles AND off-road driving.

It protects different types of vehicles (like snowmobiles, ATVs, and dirtbikes) and their drivers against unforeseen events like fire, theft, collision, personal injury and death.

It also protects you if you decide to take your public street vehicle to hit some off-road adventures. So if you’re saying goodbye to paved roads and traffic lights, you need to say hello to an off-road insurance policy.

There are two main reasons to insure your snowmobile: collisions and personal injuries.

Winter driving comes with its fair share of hazards! Manitobans are definitely no strangers to the icey intersections, mile-high snow banks, limited visibility, and ice-caked windshields that make commuting a little trickier between November and March.

And, it’s not just the conditions that make winter driving difficult. According to Manitoba Public Insurance, inappropriate speeds, following too closely, sudden acceleration or braking, and poor vehicle maintenance all play a part, too. It’s no wonder Manitobans report a higher number of crashes during the winter months (which can have big impacts for auto insurance premiums).

Driving an unfamiliar vehicle in a strange place makes a collision more likely. And, without the right insurance, you’re personally responsible for damage to the vehicle you rent– even if you’re not at fault!

Rental Car Insurance doesn’t just give you peace of mind, it can save you up to $10 million if a claim is filed against you.

Even a seemingly minor collision puts you at risk for having major claims filed against you from the rental company. Claims can also be filed against you for things like damage to others’ property, and damages for injuries. Most rental companies also charge “down-time” to compensate them for the time the vehicle is off the road being fixed or replaced. All of these costs add up fast!

Car insurance is made up of two things: your premium and your deductible. It gives you third-party liability coverage in the event that you’re at-fault for an accident, so you don’t have to foot the (expensive) bill.

Your rate is the amount you pay in order to keep yourself insured. To figure out this cost, you’ll want an Insurance Consultant to help you decide how much coverage you need. Then, you’ll pick on a payment plan. There are three options with Manitoba Public Insurance:

1. Annual full payments
2. Quarterly pre-authorized payments
3. Monthly pre-authorized payments

Your deductible is the amount you pay if you are responsible for an accident. If you get in an accident and it’s your fault, you’ll pay your deductible, and then your auto insurance will kick in.

Auto insurance always includes third-party liability coverage. This type of insurance covers any damages made to other vehicles or property in Manitoba.

Basic, mandatory coverage for most passenger vehicles includes a $500 deductible and $200,000 worth of third-party liability insurance.