Snowmobile Storage Tips for Colorado Riders

In Colorado, snowmobiling is a way of life. There are more than 35,000 registered snowmobiles in the Centennial State, ranking ninth in the United States. This is why the subject of snowmobile storage is so important for Colorado residents because when you’re not enjoying the wind in your face, you’ll need to maintain your vehicle.

There are several areas to consider when storing your snowmobile. This includes choosing the right snowmobile storage rack or choosing the right service to maintain your vehicle in the off-season. But in addition, you’ll also want to be sure that you’re protected all year long.

While there is no law mandating that you must have coverage in Colorado for your snowmobile, failing to do so can leave you vulnerable on the slopes and even when your recreational vehicle is picked up until the next winter. Of course, improper storage is also going to raise issues when it’s time for you to ride again.

Each situation is different for each rider. Some have a proper snowmobile storage lift at home, whereas others may use alternative means to store their recreational vehicle. No matter what method you choose, we’ve got helpful tips that will take care of your snowmobile with the best care possible.

 

What Should You Do To Prepare Your Snowmobile for Storage?

Snowmobile storage in Colorado is a necessity for any rider, but you’re going to need to do some prep work before you’re ready to hang up your recreational vehicle before the next season. Failing to do so can lead to a variety of problems. Here’s how to get it right:

• Always wash your snowmobile before picking it up for the off-season. This will help you ensure that there are no unwanted things, such as salt, dirt, trash, or twigs left on your vehicle. Wash with warm soapy water, but don’t forget to get under the hood with a degreaser for proper maintenance. Cleaning your cover is also a must.
• Now that it’s clean, you’ll want to keep it that way. Using a snowmobile storage lift or snowmobile rack storage can help you by lifting your recreational vehicle off of the ground.
• In the same effort, you’ll want to do what you can to keep small animals out. Droppings, bitten wires, or even a snake hiding under the cover, can all be terrible surprises in differing ways for owners. Spraying for pests, setting out traps, using mothballs, and double-checking for holes in your storage area, can go a long way in maintaining your snowmobile.
• Maintaining your fuel is important for the off-season. While you may have heard to drain your snowmobile’s tank, this isn’t the best idea. Fuel is much more than how your recreational vehicle moves you about, it also acts as a lubricate in the engine. Be sure to add a fuel stabilizer before hanging it up as well. You’ll need to run the engine for a few minutes after following the stabilizer’s guidelines for the right amount to add to your snowmobile in relation to the fuel left in the tank.
• Using fogging oil is another critical part of maintaining your snowmobile. You’ll want to apply this to your recreational vehicle’s engine to help prevent corrosion that can occur when snowmobiles are stored for long periods of time without use. Applying a lubricate to grease fittings will also help prevent corrosion.

Summer snowmobile storage done correctly will help you get the most out of your recreational vehicle for years to come. If you understand how to prepare a snowmobile for summer storage, you’ll also be better prepared for fewer issues when the season opens up again.

However, you’ll want to keep in mind that all of the preparation in the world can still leave you facing issues if you aren’t properly insured. Even garage snowmobile storage can come with its share of risks, but the right coverages are going to help you avoid expensive repairs and hitting the snow with peace of mind.

 

Insuring Your Snowmobile Year Round

Snowmobile storage in Colorado is there to protect your recreational vehicle in the off-season, but things can still happen. Perils exist no matter where you keep your snowmobile or what you’re doing. So, just because you aren’t hitting a trail doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear.

While picked up damage from wildfires, flooding, hail, and more can still affect your snowmobile. Sadly, snowmobile theft and vandalism can also occur if a criminal decides to make you a target for their break-in.

Canceling your coverage during the summer can ruin your next season before it even begins should you suffer a loss, even if it’s inside a well-secured area. It’s also worth noting that while a snowmobile may be your personal property, your home insurance coverage won’t cover you, nor will an auto policy.

Overall, the small amount of money you could save by forgoing coverage in the off-season could leave you vulnerable to several thousands of dollars in damages should you incur a loss.

The right coverage will help you manage affordable premiums year-round, protect you from risks, and even provide discounts in many cases. By working with the right snowmobile insurance company in Colorado, you’ll also be able to adjust your coverage throughout the year to meet your specific needs.

 

The Risks of Forgoing Snowmobile Insurance

Having snowmobile insurance is important because there are several different risks that riders can experience. Some risks are obvious, such as getting into an accident, but others might not be as straightforward.

Additionally, how you protect yourself and others in different situations will require different coverages. For example, if you’re looking to protect your recreational vehicle while in snowmobile storage versus covering injuries to you and your passenger, different insurance coverages will be necessary.

Either way, you’ll need coverage. Repairs continue to grow in cost and that’s nothing compared to the cost of replacing a snowmobile. Furthermore, legal and medical expenses can quickly get to tens of thousands of dollars if not more, depending on the severity.

Just because it isn’t mandatory doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to skim on coverage. If you own a snowmobile, your best bet is to shop around and enroll in an appropriate level of coverage for your usage, risk tolerance, and needs.

 

How To Stay Prepared During Snowmobile Storage in Colorado

No matter where you store your snowmobile, doing all that you can do to ensure its safety is the goal of every owner. The last thing you want to do is face a new season without the ability to get out there and hit the snow because something has happened in the off-season.

Above, there are several different things you’ll want to do to prepare your snowmobile for storage, but if you don’t have the right insurance policies, it could all be for not, depending on the perils that come your way.

When it comes to snowmobile insurance, there isn’t a single coverage, but rather many different coverages available, similar to auto insurance in Colorado. Liability coverage is important to help minimize your risk while riding, as is collision coverage which can help you restore your own snowmobile in the event of an accident.

But losses that can come in the offseason, such as weather damage or theft, will require different coverages for your policy. However, there are viable options available:

• Comprehensive coverage can help you restore the damage that may affect your snowmobile from things such as weather, fires, falling trees, vandalism, and even theft. Depending on your policy, comprehensive coverage for snowmobiles may even protect your recreational vehicle should you break through ice or have an accident with an animal.
• Furthermore, customer parts for your ride may improve performance or showcase your individuality, but without the right coverage, it won’t be covered. The same applies to custom equipment that goes on your snowmobile’s trailer. Fortunately, coverages exist and can protect you from expensive repairs.

Overall, snowmobile insurance is complex no matter if you’re in season or not. In order to stay protected and avoid expensive repairs, you need coverage. But you also need a company that is going to provide the right level of coverage at the appropriate time.

Freedom Insurance Group is proud to offer coverage options for those who ride, and our approach delivers a personalized touch to your coverage, unbiased opinions, and the lowest cost for your premiums all from top-rated carriers.

The key is our partnerships. With a variety of top-rated insurance carriers helping our clients save while staying protected, we’re able to compare your coverage needs and find the lowest premium available at the same time.

This feat not only helps you protect your snowmobile for less but also provides residents of Colorado with a wider range of discounts, including bundling, that comes with a wider variety of coverage options. Overall, you’ll enjoy better rates for your home, auto, and even umbrella insurance policies for superior coverage at a cheaper price.

Snowmobile storage in Colorado has plenty of benefits but even in shelters, things can happen. Give us a call today at the number above to learn how you can keep your recreational vehicle and other property protected while paying less.