When winter is at its peak, we Canadians know that the best way to weather the cold is to get outside and enjoy the snow. One of the best ways to do this is on a snowmobile. So whether you're cruising the trails, plowing through powder, or just taking some supplies back to the cabin, make sure you know the ins and outs of operating your snowmobile and you have everything you need to do so safely.
First of all, who can operate a sled?
Anyone 12 years of age or older can drive a snowmobile; however, anyone born after January 1st, 1989, MUST complete the snowmobile safety course. If you are in this age range, this course is a requirement to safely and legally operate your sled in Saskatchewan (see "What coverage is and isn't available?" for more information).
For older, seasoned operators, the snowmobile safety course isn't mandatory. Still, it is recommended as safety practices, legislation, and sleds themselves can change.
You can sign up for the snowmobile safety course at sasksnow.com or register for an in-person class by contacting the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association.
After completing your snowmobile safety course, if you are at least 16 and you don't have a Driver's Licence, you can operate your sled on public land, except for on the travelled portion of the road. You can drive your sled alongside the road, including ditches, but you cannot drive on the road itself, including the shoulder.
If you are at least 16 and have your Learner's permit, you can operate on roads as long as a supervisor within 50 metres can see you.
Registering your sled
Now that you know who can operate their sled, what do you need to know to start using it?
First things first, if you intend to use your sled on public land, you'll need to register your sled. The non-refundable $110 registration fee will allow you to use it in areas like:
- Roads (where applicable)
- Ditches
- Highways
- Provincial parks
- Crown land
- Designated snowmobile trails
- Rivers
- Lakes
Once you register your sled, you will be given a plate and a certificate of registration. Keep your snowmobile plated and the certificate with you when you're out sledding. Please note that there is no Autopay option for your snowmobile registration fee.
You don't need to register your sled if you are only using it on private land or if you have permission from the landowner. Private land includes cities, towns, villages, RMs, churches, and schools.
If you're looking for temporary coverage, you can purchase a snowmobile permit providing you with the same coverage as the license plates for a maximum time limit of 24 hours.
What coverage is and isn't available?
Keep in mind that license plate coverage only provides the minimum coverage required: $200,000 in third-party liability. This means that the owner or operator who meets the age criteria is covered only up to $200,000 if they injure someone else or damage another person's property.
There is no insurance coverage under the license plate for kids under 12 years of age, even on private land. Additional coverage can be purchased that provides permission to add 12 to 16-year-old operators, but only if they operate a unit between 350 and 550 CCs. This additional coverage, if purchased, will not apply to units of 550 CCs or greater.
Additional coverage called extension policies can be added to the existing license plate insurance. These extension policies will offer coverage for physical damage and allow you to increase your third-party liability to a more comfortable limit.
You can choose the coverage type for physical damage: All Perils, Collision, or Comprehensive. You can also choose different deductible options that will impact the premiums of your policy and the amount you will need to pay in the event of a loss. Your extension policy can also offer replacement costs on new sleds for up to two years.
An extension policy can also offer coverage for personal injury with coverage limits of $25,000 or $50,000. If you need more coverage, you can also purchase personal injury coverage through a life or disability insurer.
What is required when purchasing an extension policy?
To purchase an extension policy, you will need to bring in your bill of sale and registration to Affinity Insurance. You may also need to have your snowmobile inspected, and this can be completed by an Affinity Insurance Staff member. Please call our office before you come in to see if an inspection is required.
Many snowmobile operators don't realize that 1) their extension policy comes with a limited loss of use coverage if their sled is stolen or catches on fire, and 2) they can purchase additional, broader loss of use coverage in the event their sled is damaged by an insured loss and they may need to rent a replacement sled.
So, for example, if you were in the mountains and you rolled your machine down a cliff, you may be eligible to obtain a rental sled and have your existing policy cover the rental sled's insurance requirement at the same time.
An important point to note is that not all insurance providers offer Loss of Use, Personal Injury or Replacement Cost. If these are options you would like to purchase, be sure to talk to your Affinity Insurance Broker.
Conditions will apply to your coverage depending on the type of snowmobile you own and how you operate it. For example, If you are engaging in high-marking to see how high up a steep mountain slope your machine can reach, entering snowmobile rallies that include speed tests or races, or driving impaired, your coverage will not apply. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please operate your machine responsibly.
Snowmobile units are a big investment with complex moving parts, and new sleds in particular are hard to come by unless purchased well in advance of the season. Coverage is important to protect your investment, and unlike a canoe or boat, you cannot cover your sled via your home policy.
During the off-season when your snowmobile is unregistered and not in use, your extension policy will provide additional coverage while your machine is in storage. Make sure to notify your broker when the snowmobiling season ends and your snowmobile becomes unlicensed.
Things to remember
Snowmobiles are great recreational vehicles, but many riders also use them as tools around the cabin or out on the farm. In these instances, even if you or your child are just on a "quick trip back to the house," you might not have any coverage whatsoever.
Even with a valid driver's license, you will need to take the snowmobile safety course if you were born after 1989.
If your child is between 12-16 years old and is operating a unit over 550 CCs, they are not covered. If your child is under 12 years old and you have an extension policy there is no coverage.
Ultimately, we want to ensure that when you're out enjoying your time on a snowmobile, you're doing so safely, legally, and with the right coverage for your particular situation. If you have questions on how to ensure you and your snowmobile are adequately insured this season, give us a call, and we'll be happy to help you find the right coverage.
To find more information on insuring, registering, and handling your snowmobile, check out the SGI Snowmobiling In Saskatchewan Handbook. This resource is updated yearly with any new information and is an excellent reference for your next sledding expedition.
