Golf Cart Insurance: Do You Need It and What Does It Cover?

If you own a golf cart or LSV (low-speed vehicle), you should consider getting golf cart insurance.

That's because golf cart insurance is the only way to fully protect you and your cart if you cause an accident. In addition, most states require you to have insurance if you drive your golf cart or LSV on public roads.

Many insurance companies offer golf cart coverage as a part of their motorcycle insurance policy. Few offer quotes online, so you'll probably need to contact an agent to compare rates.


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Do you need insurance on a golf cart?

Golf cart insurance is typically a good idea because it's the only way to fully protect yourself and your cart. But whether you truly need insurance depends on the type of golf cart and how you use it.

  • If you own a typical two-passenger golf cart and use it only while playing at a course, you may not need insurance. That's because the personal liability portion of your home or renters insurance policy may cover injuries to others or damage you cause while driving the cart on the course.

    However, coverage varies by company, so you should check your policy or call your agent to make sure you're covered.

  • If your golf cart holds four or more passengers, goes faster than 20 mph or you drive it on public roads, you probably need golf cart insurance.

    Even if your state doesn't require golf cart insurance, you're responsible for any damage or injuries you cause while driving. Insurance will help you avoid a big bill if you cause an accident.

Do I need golf cart insurance in my state?

Not every state has specific laws related to golf cart insurance. Even if your state doesn't require you to have coverage, your city, town or homeowners association may have rules about registering or insuring your cart. So it's important to do your research before taking your golf cart on public roads.

Arizona

California

Florida

Nevada

North Carolina

South Carolina

Texas

Arizona requires golf carts to have insurance with the same minimum limits as all other vehicles.

Required golf cart insurance in Arizona

Arizona

Arizona requires golf carts to have insurance with the same minimum limits as all other vehicles.

Required golf cart insurance in Arizona

California

In California, if you're using your golf cart on the course, you don't need insurance.

Specifically, you don't need insurance if:

  • Your cart seats only two people
  • Your cart has at least three wheels
  • Your cart weighs under 1,300 lbs
  • Your cart is slower than 15 mph
  • You drive your cart only on roads with a posted speed limit under 25 mph
  • You drive your cart only within one mile of a golf course

But if you're using your golf cart for recreational purposes or to run errands, California considers it a regular motor vehicle. That means you'll probably need to register it with the DMV and have an insurance policy with at least 30/60/15 of liability coverage.

Florida

Florida golfers don't need insurance while using their carts on the course. But this applies only to carts with a maximum speed of 20 mph or less driving on designated golf cart roads.

If you have a golf cart that goes faster than 20 mph, or you've modified your cart to reach higher speeds, there are different rules. Florida considers these to be "low-speed vehicles" or LSVs, and you'll have to get a title and insurance that meets the state minimum requirements to drive legally.

Minimum golf cart insurance in Florida

Even with the proper insurance, it's illegal to drive LSVs on roads with a posted speed limit over 35 mph in Florida. And you must have a valid driver's license to operate a golf cart.

Nevada

Nevada's golf cart rules are determined by the city or county governments.

Insurance isn't required for golf carts driven only on roads approved by your local government. These roads are typically within residential golf communities, and you may need to get a golf cart permit and vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.

If you plan to drive your golf cart or LSV on public roads, you need an insurance policy with at least 25/50/20 of liability coverage. You'll also need to register your vehicle, pay taxes and get an emissions test.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, you must have an insurance policy with at least 50/100/50 of liability coverage if you plan to drive your cart or LSV on public roads.

Other North Carolina golf cart laws vary by city. For example, Ocean Isle Beach requires you to register your golf cart and have it inspected, and you need a permit to drive a golf cart or LSV in Carolina Beach.

South Carolina

If you plan to drive your golf cart on public roads in South Carolina, you must have insurance with at least 25/50/25 of liability coverage.

All golf carts and LSVs are to be registered with the DMV, and you must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license to legally drive a golf cart in South Carolina.

Texas

Texas law has different requirements for golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), also known as LSVs.

Standard golf carts don't need insurance, but there are limits on where and when you can drive them. Golf carts are allowed:

  • In certain master planned communities
  • On public or private beaches open to vehicular traffic
  • On public roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less
  • During daytime hours
  • Within two miles of where they are usually parked for trips to and from a golf course
  • To cross intersections

Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) can drive on public roads, but they require insurance. An NEV is an electric vehicle that goes up to 35 mph and has four tires, seat belts, a windshield and turn signals, among other features.

If you have an NEV, you must have an insurance policy with at least 30/60/25 of liability coverage. You must also register your NEV with the Texas DMV.

What does golf cart insurance cover?

Golf cart insurance is similar to auto or motorcycle insurance. In fact, many insurance companies cover golf carts under their motorcycle insurance policy, along with scooters, mopeds, ATVs and other vehicles. As with motorcycles, a variety of coverages are available for golf carts.

Bodily injury and property damage liability pay for injuries to others and property damage if you cause an accident. Most states and cities require these coverages if you drive your golf cart or LSV on public roads.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for your own injuries and damage to your golf cart if you're hit by someone who doesn't have enough coverage or lacks a policy altogether.

Medical payments coverage pays for medical care for you or passengers after an accident, regardless of whose fault it is.

Collision and comprehensive coverage pay to fix or replace your own golf cart. Collision coverage pays for damage after you crash into another vehicle or object, such as a tree or fence. Comprehensive coverage pays for other types of damage such as fire, vandalism, theft or hail damage.

Collision and comprehensive coverage are usually worth it only if you have a brand-new or very expensive golf cart or LSV. If you own a more basic model, or a used cart with upgrades, you may be better off saving money on your monthly payment and covering any repairs on your own.

How much is golf cart insurance?

Golf cart insurance is much cheaper than regular car insurance. That's because golf carts have relatively slow maximum speeds, so they can't cause as much damage as other vehicles.

For example, a liability-only golf cart policy from Progressive costs around $81 per year. That's less than $7 per month.

Full coverage golf cart insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, costs around $538 per year from Progressive, or $45 per month.

However, your policy may cost more if you have an LSV that goes faster than 25 mph or you're shopping for a full coverage policy for a very expensive model.

How to find cheap golf cart insurance

To find the best cheap golf cart insurance, you should start by comparing quotes from multiple companies.

Shopping around for golf cart insurance is a bit more difficult than comparing car insurance quotes because most companies don't offer online quotes. You'll have to call each insurance company and speak to an agent to get quotes.

Which insurance companies offer golf cart insurance?

State Farm logo
State Farm
USAA logo
USAA*
Nationwide logo
Nationwide
Safeco logo
Safeco
Travelers logo
Travelers
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*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and some of their family members.


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You may want to consider buying golf cart insurance through a local independent insurance agent.

Independent agents work with multiple insurance companies, so they can compare quotes on your behalf. This could save you a lot of time. In addition, a local agent should have an understanding of the local golf cart laws, which can help ensure you're properly covered.

Since golf cart insurance is typically quite cheap, you probably won't benefit much by searching for discounts.

  • If you already have auto, home or renters insurance, it's worthwhile to get a quote from your current company because it may offer a discount for bundling multiple policies.
  • Smaller discounts such as a paperless billing discount likely won't make much difference.

If your golf car insurance quotes are still too expensive, consider getting rid of coverage you don't need. Collision and comprehensive coverage are the only way to protect your golf cart against damage, but they may not be worth the added cost if you have a used or inexpensive cart.

Frequently asked questions

Are golf carts covered under homeowners insurance?

Golf carts aren't typically covered by homeowners insurance. Some policies may cover damage or injuries you cause while driving your cart on the course or your own property. But if you're on a public road or you have a modified cart that goes over 20 mph, home insurance probably won't pay for damage you cause. In addition, homeowners insurance doesn't pay for damage to your own cart.

What is the best way to insure a golf cart?

A golf cart insurance policy is the best way to insure a golf cart. It's the only way to ensure you're fully protected if you cause an accident while driving your cart. Home insurance may cover some situations, such as an accident you cause while driving on the course, but it won't pay for accidents on public roads, damage to your cart or your own injuries.

Does car insurance cover golf cart accidents?

No, your car insurance policy typically won't pay for an accident you cause while you're driving a golf cart. If you own a golf cart, you should buy a golf cart insurance policy to pay for any damage you cause while driving it.


Methodology

To find the average cost of golf cart insurance, ValuePenguin editors collected quotes from Progressive for addresses in Florida, Texas and South Carolina. Rates are for a 40-year-old single man with a clean driving record who owns a 2022 Club Car Precedent.

Full coverage quotes include higher liability limits than the state requirement, along with collision and comprehensive coverage.

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
  • Personal injury protection: Minimum where required
  • Collision and comprehensive deductible: $500

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

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