There have been times in my life when I've felt severely unprepared. I remember starting drivers training and getting behind the wheel for the first time with my instructor, nervously thinking to myself, We've only talked about driving in the classroom—I don't think I'm ready to be on the roads! And during my time as a college student, I've known the horror of being caught off guard by spontaneous pop quizzes. I've even found myself at the starting line of a 25K road running race, regretfully wishing that I had spent more than just two weeks training for the event.

Recalling these experiences makes me glad I was not negligent my first time riding an ATV. This time, I felt prepared. I had carefully learned the rules of riding safely, I was wearing the proper gear, and I was on trails designated for off-road vehicles with other experienced and responsible riders. This preparation gave me confidence and allowed me to relax and enjoy the ride. It was an absolute blast!

Riding an ATV can be thrilling, but also dangerous, so it's important to brush up on how to ride safely before you hit the trails. Whether you are a new rider learning for the first time or an ATV veteran in need of a quick refresher, here are ten tips for being prepared and staying safe on your off-road adventures:

1. Wear protective gear.
   
   Helmets, goggles, boots and gloves are essential. There are no seatbelts or windshields on ATVs, so you need to be prepared in case of falling, flipping, or getting hit with rocks, branches or bugs.
   
   
2. Conduct a pre-ride inspection.
   
   Before jumping on your ATV for a joyride, check the tires and rims for damage, ensure all cables are intact, examine the chain for worn links, and ensure there's enough lubrication where there needs to be.
   
   
3. Never ride alone.
   
   Crashing, getting lost, running out of gas, and other accidents happen, so it's always a good idea to have other riders with you. You should also be sure to carry a cell phone or walkie-talkie so you can call for help in emergency situations.
   
   
4. Don't drive under the influence.
   
   Drinking and driving isn't safe in a car or on a motorcycle, and it's not safe on an ATV either. Alcohol impairs your reaction time, thinking process and judgment, so never operate any vehicle after you've been drinking.
   
   
5. Take a break when tired.
   
   ATV riding requires strength and mental acuity. If you begin to feel fatigued while riding, don't push yourself. Take a break, rehydrate, and eat some food to reenergize before your next ride.
   
   
6. Allow only one rider at a time.
   
   Most ATVs are designed for only one rider at a time, so inviting passengers to jump on with you is extremely dangerous. Always choose to ride solo because the weight of two or more people will make the ATV unstable and more difficult to control.
   
   
7. Ride in appropriate settings.
   
   ATVs are not designed to be driven on concrete or asphalt, so avoid roads and streets. It's best to seek out designated riding areas because riding on improper terrain could cause damage or increase the likelihood of rolling your ATV.
   
   
8. Be aware of the surroundings.
   
   Don't be oblivious to potential hazards. Take time to learn about your location by memorizing where steep hills, bumps, sharp turns and other tricky areas are. Also be attentive and focused on steering clear of other riders.
   
   
9. Ride the right size.
   
   Don't attempt to ride an ATV that seems either too big or too small. If the size isn't a good fit, you could either have great difficulty controlling the vehicle or increased chances of flipping and falling off.
   
   
10. Don’t attempt tricks or stunts.
    
    There's no need to show off or test the limits of what your off-road vehicle can do. ATV tricks and stunts are very dangerous for both you and those around you, so never ride beyond your ability or try anything you know isn't safe.
    ​

Before you take off on an adrenaline-filled and action-packed off-road adventure, remember to make safety your priority. Putting these tips into practice will help you to be prepared, prevent accidents, and make the most of your ATV experience.

Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/off-road-adventures-staying-safe-on-your-atv.asp

What do outdoor adventures look like for you? Whether it's an ATV, UTV, dirt bike, dune buggy, golf cart or other off-road vehicle (ORV), you'll want to make sure you have the right type of insurance coverage to protect your toys. It's important to ask your independent insurance agent the right questions about what type of coverage you're seeking and customize it to fit your lifestyle. To help you get started, we put together the following list of questions after speaking with Kevin Henry, the Director of Product Management at Foremost® Insurance.


1. What typical coverages are available for ATV/UTVs?

"Ask your agent or broker about standard coverages that are available, as well as optional ones you might consider," says Henry. "Standard coverages include Collision, Other Than Collision, Liability and Medical Payments. They help provide coverage for damage to your ATV itself or damage or injury that you may cause while riding your ATV."


2. Is my safety apparel covered?

"Whether it's helmets, goggles or other clothing that helps minimize injuries from an accident, most companies will offer safety apparel coverage for when these things get damaged," says Henry. "We want riders to be as safe as possible while enjoying the outdoors, so we encourage wearing safety gear."


3. Is there optional equipment coverage available?

"Most people have customized or added options to their ATVs," Henry explains. "Optional Equipment coverage helps cover things like towable trailers, racks and winch kits for your ATV."


4. Am I able to insure my ATV/UTV year-round?

"Year-round coverage is definitely something you may want to consider," answers Henry. "Some policies have a lay-up period for colder weather when you may not be able to ride. But when an unusually warm day comes around and you want to take your ATV out, you might be stuck without coverage. A year-round policy lets you take it out whenever Mother Nature's providing good weather and, with some companies, you can do this for the same price as seasonal coverage."


5. What kinds of discounts are available?
​
"Everybody wants to save money," Henry shares. "Ask what's available for you. Some companies, like Foremost, offer discounts for things like multi-units, multi-policies, maintaining continuous coverage when you renew and for having prior off-road vehicle insurance."
Your safety is number one to us. Stay safe wherever you choose to go on your off-road vehicle.


Looking for ATV insurance? Get a quote today by calling 561-768-8176 to speak with a licensed agent.

Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/top-questions-to-ask-about-off-road-vehicle-insurance.asp

Some people have trails or areas where they can ride their Off-Road Vehicles at home, but others may have to take their ORVs somewhere else to ride. For instance, many people take their Golf Carts with them when camping or haul their ATVs and UTVs to designated riding trails. To get your ORV to these places, you'll probably want to tow it with a trailer. If you've never towed an ORV with a trailer before, follow these steps to keep your ORV from moving around or falling off!

1. Connect and secure the trailer to your towing vehicle. Be sure that your vehicle is fit for a trailer and can tow the weight of your ORV. The trailer size needed will vary based on the type of ORV you're hauling. Attach the ball of the hitch to the hitch of the trailer. Fasten all latches and secure them with a pin or lock, and don't forget to hook the chains!
2. Lower or attach the loading ramp(s). Some trailers have built-in ramps that either lower or fold away. If your trailer doesn't have either of these, I'd suggest purchasing a portable ramp suitable for your ORV. Lifting an ORV onto a trailer is dangerous — especially if you're alone.
3. Slowly drive the ORV onto the trailer. Once the ramp is secured, either put the vehicle in neutral and push or slowly drive the vehicle onto the trailer. If you go too fast, the wheels could spin and slip. Don't forget to wear a helmet!
4. Establish proper weight distribution. Place the ORV toward the front of the trailer (closest to the towing vehicle) so that about 60 percent of the weight is at the front. Make sure your parking brake is on once you've got it in the right spot!
5. Strap it in. Use ratchet straps to keep the ORV in place while you drive. Do not attach them to your axels, suspension or any other non-sturdy part — these parts could bend from the pressure of the straps. Check your owner's manual for recommended places to attach straps on the vehicle. Connect the straps to built-in hooks on the trailer, then tighten the straps so the ORV is sturdy and will move as one with the trailer.
6. Raise or remove the loading ramp(s). Now that the ORV is in place, put the ramp away. Place it inside of the bed of the truck (if this is your towing vehicle), or secure it in the trailer — you'll need it when unloading the ORV.
7. Hit the road! You're all ready to head out on your adventure. If you haven't driven a trailer in a while, refresh your memory on the dos and don'ts of towing and take it slow!

Sources:
https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/towing-an-orv-with-a-trailer.asp
https://www.golfstorageguide.com/how-to-tow-a-golf-cart-on-a-trailer/
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/towing-atv-trailer-tires/