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do i need to insure my OHV?

California is FULL of SUE HAPPY people.

Yah, that is what I hear. I believe We are a little more down to earth in the south.

Last year I was climbing a wet steep hill at our local ORV. The rig behind me was a very nice CJ on a TJ chasis. He was at the base of the hill, too close, & I slid down it backwards & hit him. His stinger mashed the shat out of my tailgate. We just laughed & went on down the trail. That is the norm around here. Everyone figures that is just how it goes sometimes.

On a side note I would have insurance on it, but I don't ride that often, & I am low on funds right now.
 
ive hit the same truck twice on the same trail cause it was broke.we laughed about it and i gave him a berr after riding.just ride with a good group of people and you dont have to worry about that non sence.at least around here.
 
Just so nobody misses my point. The California ohv code does say that you are financially responsible for all damage, injuries, or death you cause on or off the road. So you will pay out of pocket or through your insurance either way.
 
but the main thing here is you do NOT have to insure green sticker vehicles. you shud but dont have to . my cousin had a claim at HH and it was paid for to. he sunk his 2008 Tacoma and it got totaled.
 
Liability insurance is different than comprehensive. Your buddy had comprehensive so his insurance company covered his own damage no matter where it is. He pays extra for that on top of his liability insurance. Unless your blazer is special, the premiums are probably more than it is worth.

You want liability insurance to keep people from suing you into a living nightmare if your tow hook breaks off while you winching someone out and smashes through someone elses windshield and kills them.

It really sucks having to pay for damage to someone elses truck when you don't have insurance or don't have enough. I know first hand from dealing with the lawyers.

Even if it's not required, I would highly recommend you get liability insurance just like you would if it was street legal. And get enough to cover the cost of a new FJ, H3, or Wrangler. If some poser wrecks his and can even partially blame you for it, you are going to hate life without insurance.
 
good to know. im still trying to find a place that will pass my truck (smog). but if all else fails im buying a trailer and going with the green sticker.
 
How did you buy your truck without it passing smog? The previous owner is required to smog it before he sells it.
 
not really. iv bought 3 vehicles that weren't smogged and sold two. the new owner must produce the smog papers when he registers it but you dont need them to sell it.
 
not really. iv bought 3 vehicles that weren't smogged and sold two. the new owner must produce the smog papers when he registers it but you dont need them to sell it.

I'm pretty sure it's the owner's responsibility.... granted if you buy it "as-is" then it's all on you but technically I think the PO is responsible for it passing before selling it.
 
the new owner must produce the smog papers when he registers it but you dont need them to sell it.

Better check again. It doesn't help you now, but the smog check is a useful negotiating tool. Not sure there's any legal enforcement but heres a quote from the DMV web site:

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.
The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).
 
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It does seem kinda stupid for the DMV to make a rule that they never enforce. That's Cali for you I guess.
 
If you buy a vehicle from someone and YOU as the buyer go to smog it and it fails you can get your money back from the seller if you so choose.
 
alright so i have come to the conclusion that i am no longer going to try to illegal smog my truck, swap Vin's or put all the smog crap back on. instead i am going to buy a trailer and get a green sticker for my K5. i have a few reasons for this

1. i can wheel much harder because i don't have to drive it home if i break it

2. i can travel farther (bring on MOAB and the Rubicon)

3. the $250 every 6 months i would be paying for insurance will now be paying for my trailer. and after the trailers paid for, that $ can be used for parts.
 
Yeah I'm pretty sure you do have to insure it - but doesn't have to be the same type of coverage as you would get if it was being used on roads. Check out http://www.carinsurancequotes.net and specify where it will be used. Might be some good information for you. Hope that helps mate :whistle:
 
Yeah I'm pretty sure you do have to insure it - but doesn't have to be the same type of coverage as you would get if it was being used on roads. Check out http://www.carinsurancequotes.net and specify where it will be used. Might be some good information for you. Hope that helps mate :whistle:

info posted 1.5 years to late. but thanks. :waytogo: welcome to the site.
 
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