It’s Almost Snowmobile Time in Central New York!

image courtesy of marcolm/freedigitalphotos.net

Snowmobiling the Adirondacks…riders come from all over the Northeast to the trails out of Old Forge and Inlet. But for us here in the New Hartford area, it’s only an hour away!

Then there’s the Tug Hill with record breaking snowfalls each year and down home trails all over Oneida, Madison, and Herkimer Counties.

We got thinking about all of this as Nano Tech up at SUNY Poly takes shape and we anticipate many new arrivals to our area. So what do we tell new residents from all over the world about winter sports? There’s top notch hockey with the Utica Comets, Utica College Pioneers, and local high schools. And great skiing at Snow Ridge, Woods Valley, and McCauley Mountain.

Then, there’s snowmobiling. The 2010/11 Snowmobile Owners Survey calculated the economic impact of the snowmobile industry in New York State to be $868 Million! 90,000 households own snowmobiles with the largest percentage of time sledding spent first in the Adirondacks, then the Tug Hill, and finally in our own Central New York Region.

Many snowmobilers join clubs. (We count 12 here in Oneida County.) And 92% of the respondents said they had insurance on their snowmobiles. We think that’s a good sign that most of our outdoor enthusiasts are safety minded and aware of the risks involved in riding snowmobiles.

Deadline for Town of Webb/Inlet Trail Permit Discount November 15, 2014

Also, we found this link to the 2015/16 Central Adirondack Snowmobile Guide published by the Central Adirondack Association. In it, you’ll find safety tips, accommodations, events, and more.

Two important reminders in the Guide for our snowmobiling friends: 1) A Town of Webb/Inlet Trail permit is required and 2) liability insurance is required for snowmobiles in the State of New York.

If you apply for your permit before November 15, 2015 you can get it at the discounted rate of $65. As to your insurance, you can call us for the required liability coverages plus physical damage on the sled itself. We represent a number of insurance companies that specialize in snowmobile coverage.

Snowmobile Insurance in New Hartford, Whitesboro, Clinton, Utica, Central NY

The minimum liability limits in New York State that you must have to register your sled are $25,000 per person/$50,000 for an accident for bodily injury liability and $10,000 for property damage liability.

At Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig we recommend higher limits than those. Remember, your snowmobile may weigh up to 600 lbs and reach speeds of 90 MPH! During the 2012/13 winter season, there were 193 snowmobile accidents in New York State, resulting in 14 fatalities. This accident rate was 47% higher than the year before.

Snowmobiles are fun but they’re also dangerous, with the leading cause of accidents excessive speed, alcohol use, lack of experience, and poor judgment. We not only recommend that you use common sense in being safe this winter, but that you also let us quote higher limits of liability for you. Don’t be caught short if you injure someone else in an accident or damage their property.

Also, ask us about coverage for damage to the sled (Comprehensive and Collision), Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist in case you’re struck by someone else without insurance or with low limits, Accessory Coverage, Roadside Assistance, and safe riding discounts.

Snowmobiling is great fun and a passion for lots of our fellow Central New Yorkers. Be safe this year and call us when it’s time to get insurance for your sleds.

Until next time,
Your SZW Team

Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. is your New Hartford area independent insurance agent. Call us for a quote on insurance for your home, car, business, or life at 315.792.0000.