Contractor Tips Blog

Dec
23

Golf Cart Safety Tips

Posted in Golf Carts

As golf carts become increasingly popular forms of transportation, golf cart accidents have risen correspondingly.  Not only do more golf carts in use equal more golf cart accidents, but these days many golf carts can travel at significantly higher speeds than traditional golf carts found on golf courses around the country.

First, watch your speed when driving a golf cart.  You don’t have to drive the golf cart at top speed all the time.  Slow down when common sense says that the conditions warrant a slower speed.  You will have more time to react to the unexpected.  Also, just like any vehicle, it is easy to lose control of a golf cart traveling at high speed.

Don’t overload the vehicle by carrying more passengers than it was designed to carry.  The easy rule of thumb is there should be one seat for each passenger.  If your golf cart only has four seats, don’t carry more than four passengers.  Overloading a golf cart makes it difficult to control.  Both steering and braking are severely affected by an overloaded golf cart.

Keep your eyes on the road.  This should go without saying, but golf carts tend to be used in scenic areas and it is all too easy to get distracted.  A child, animal, or vehicle can jump out in front of you without warning.

Finally, be sure to keep your golf cart maintenance up to date by an experienced golf cart repair shop.  A well maintained golf cart is less likely to have blowout or other mechanical failure that could lead to an accident.

Nov
16

Do You Need Golf Cart Insurance?

Posted in Golf Carts

Whether or not you need specific golf cart insurance depends on where you live, what type of existing insurance coverage you have, the type of golf cart you own, and how you use it. There is no easy answer for everyone, but there are few things you should consider.  Also, talk to your homeowner’s or automobile insurance carrier.  They can help you decided if your golf cart is adequately covered.

Golf cart use has been on a steady rise for years and the trend is continuing.  Once used exclusively on golf courses, these vehicles have become popular modes of transportation in retirement communities, islands, resorts, and planned communities like Peachtree City, Georgia, Sun City, Arizona, and The Villages, Florida.  With the increased popularity has come an increase in accidents and injuries.  Some golf cart owners have been surprised to discover that their insurance did not cover their golf cart accident.

In many cases, your homeowner’s insurance will provide liability coverage for a golf cart used on a golf course or in a golf community but there are usually restrictions on the size, power, and type of golf cart.  Your automobile policy may also provide some liability coverage as well.  If you have a street legal personal golf cart, it will most likely be excluded from your standard homeowner’s insurance policy or automobile policy.

If you are using the golf cart on public roads, there are probably state laws that require you to have insurance on the golf cart, especially if the golf cart must be registered.  If you live in a retirement community, planned community, golf community, or any type of community that allows golf carts to be driven on the roads or paths, there are likely to be specific local insurance requirements. Check with your homeowners association or local government.

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