best golf cart insurance

Best Golf Cart Insurance: 5 Companies Worth Considering in 2025

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Insurance needs vary by individual circumstances. Consult licensed insurance professionals for personalized advice. Pricing and availability subject to change.

Quick Answer: Top 5 Golf Cart Insurance Options

Looking for best golf cart insurance? Here are five companies that consistently get good reviews from cart owners:

  • Progressive Insurance – Often starts around $75/year, solid coverage options
  • GEICO – Backed by Berkshire Hathaway, great digital tools
  • Safeco Insurance – Nearly 100 years in business, focuses on agent service
  • State Farm – Huge network of local agents, helpful for complex situations
  • Foremost Insurance – Specializes in recreational vehicles since 1952

Based on what cart owners report online, Progressive tends to offer good value for most people, while State Farm excels if you want face-to-face service.

Why Golf Cart Insurance Matters

Golf carts aren’t just for courses anymore. People drive them around retirement communities, gated neighborhoods, and resort towns. But here’s what catches many owners off guard: your homeowner’s insurance usually only covers your cart on your own property.

Drive to the clubhouse? You’re probably not covered. Cruise through the neighborhood? Likely not covered either.

Think about these scenarios:

  • You accidentally hit a pedestrian while driving to the golf course
  • Someone steals your cart from a parking area
  • You cause property damage at a community event
  • A passenger gets hurt riding with you

Without proper insurance, you could be looking at thousands in out-of-pocket costs and potential lawsuits.

Understanding Golf Cart Insurance

Golf cart insurance works similarly to auto insurance but with some key differences:

Liability Coverage protects you if you hurt someone or damage their property. This includes coverage for passengers who get injured.

Physical Damage Coverage comes in two flavors:

  • Comprehensive covers theft, vandalism, fire, and weather damage
  • Collision handles damage from crashes and accidents

Additional Options include medical payments (covers medical bills for you and passengers), uninsured motorist protection, and coverage for custom accessories and modifications.

The Big Gotcha: Golf Cart vs. LSV Insurance

This trips up a lot of people. There’s a huge difference between regular golf cart insurance and Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) insurance:

  • Golf Cart Insurance: $75-$300/year, covers off-road use only
  • LSV Insurance: $400-$1,600/year, covers street-legal vehicles with license plates

Here’s a real example: A Florida resident thought he had “full coverage” with Progressive. When another driver rear-ended his registered LSV on a public road, Progressive denied the claim and canceled his policy. Why? Because their standard golf cart policy doesn’t cover registered LSVs on public roads.

The lesson: If you plan to drive on public streets, make sure your insurer knows and covers that specific use.

The Top 5 Companies: What You Need to Know

1. Progressive Insurance

Typical Cost: Starting around $75/year
Best For: People who want good coverage without breaking the bank

Progressive shows up in a lot of “best value” discussions among cart owners. Their policies include standard liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, plus medical payments.

What stands out:

  • Accessory coverage automatically protects up to $3,000 in custom add-ons (can go higher)
  • Multiple discounts for bundling with other policies
  • Digital-first approach with a decent mobile app
  • Quick claims processing – most get resolved within 48 hours

One thing to watch: Make sure you’re clear about on-road vs. off-road coverage if you have an LSV.

2. GEICO

Backed by: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway
Best For: People who want financial stability and good online tools

GEICO brings serious financial backing and treats golf carts under their powersports division, which means they understand recreational vehicles better than some general insurers.

Cool features:

  • Total loss replacement based on the retail price of equivalent new models
  • Transport coverage while your cart is being moved
  • Stored gear protection up to $3,000 for stuff you keep on the cart
  • Emergency roadside service with trip interruption benefits
  • Claims forgiveness for your first eligible claim

Heads up: GEICO won’t insure street-registered carts in some states, including Florida. Check availability in your area first.

3. Safeco Insurance

In Business: Nearly 100 years
Best For: People who prefer working with local agents

Safeco (owned by Liberty Mutual) focuses on personalized service through independent agents. If you like talking to actual humans about your insurance, this could be your pick.

Their discount game is strong:

  • Storage discounts if you keep your cart in a locked garage
  • Anti-theft discounts for security devices
  • Low mileage breaks if you drive under 5,000 miles annually
  • Multi-vehicle discounts for insuring multiple carts

They also offer some neat perks like cash back for claim-free periods and roadside assistance.

One limitation: Safeco focuses on personal use only – no commercial coverage.

4. State Farm

Market Position: Biggest property and casualty insurer in the U.S.
Best For: People who want local expertise and hand-holding

State Farm’s massive size means they have agents everywhere – over 19,000 of them. This is clutch if you need help understanding local laws or have a complex situation.

What sets them apart:

  • Educational approach – they’ll actually explain the difference between golf carts, LSVs, and modified carts
  • Local law expertise – agents know state-specific registration and equipment requirements
  • Face-to-face service when you need it
  • Vacation coverage guidance for when you rent carts while traveling

Real costs from actual customers: One person pays $3/month for basic LSV liability, another pays $68/year for a Yamaha Drive 2, and someone else pays $294/year for full coverage on a registered EZGO.

5. Foremost Insurance

Focus: Recreational vehicles since 1952
Best For: Serious golf cart enthusiasts with lots of modifications

Foremost is all about specialty vehicles. Instead of tacking golf cart coverage onto a regular policy, they offer dedicated cart insurance.

Their premium package includes:

  • Rental coverage if you rent out your cart
  • Personal effects coverage up to $2,000 for your stuff
  • Agreed value coverage where you lock in a payout amount upfront

Discount opportunities include multi-vehicle deals, prior insurance credits, and secure storage breaks.

Real example: A Georgia resident with a 2019 cart and $2,500 in accessories pays $142/year for full coverage. Another person reports $291/year for LSV coverage.

How to Choose the Right Coverage

Start with how you use your cart:

  • Golf course only? Basic liability might be enough
  • Neighborhood driving? You’ll want comprehensive coverage
  • Lots of custom work? Focus on accessory coverage

Think about service style:

  • Tech-savvy? Progressive and GEICO have solid digital platforms
  • Prefer personal service? State Farm and Safeco excel at the human touch

Budget smartly: Don’t just look at the premium. Factor in available discounts, bundling opportunities, and how well the company handles claims.

Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t assume your homeowner’s policy covers everything. It usually only applies to use on your property.

Don’t go cheap on liability. Consider at least $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage. If you have significant assets, talk to a professional about umbrella coverage.

Don’t forget about modifications. Keep receipts and photos of any custom work, and make sure your insurer knows about it.

Most importantly: Understand the golf cart vs. LSV difference. This is where people get burned. If you plan to drive on public roads with a registered vehicle, make absolutely sure your policy covers that.

Bottom Line

Golf cart insurance isn’t optional if you drive anywhere beyond your own driveway. The good news is it’s usually pretty affordable – often less than what you spend on golf balls in a year.

From what we’ve seen, Progressive offers solid value for most people, especially if you’re comfortable managing things online. If you want the security of a local agent you can visit, State Farm’s huge network is hard to beat.

Whatever you choose, don’t wait until after something happens to get coverage. A few minutes of research now can save you thousands later.

Is a golf cart covered under homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides limited coverage for golf carts, but only when used on your own property. Once you leave your property for community driving or public roads, this coverage typically doesn’t apply. You’ll need dedicated golf cart insurance for off-property use.

How much is golf cart insurance?

Golf cart insurance costs vary by coverage type:
Liability only: $36-$80/year
Full coverage (off-road): $130-$350/year
LSV coverage (street-legal): $400-$1,600/year
Costs depend on your cart’s value, modifications, and intended use.

Does car insurance cover golf cart accidents?

No, most auto insurance policies specifically exclude golf carts and recreational vehicles. You need separate golf cart insurance for proper protection, even if you bundle it as an add-on to your existing auto policy.

Do I need golf cart insurance if I only use it on the golf course?

While homeowners insurance may cover course use, dedicated golf cart insurance provides better liability limits, theft protection, and passenger coverage – especially important if you carry guests or children.

What’s the difference between golf cart and LSV insurance?

Golf cart insurance covers off-road use only ($75-$350/year), while LSV insurance covers street-legal vehicles with plates and registration ($400-$1,600/year). Make sure you specify your intended use when getting quotes.