[John Reis]

We just started renting our Villa and I have a question concerning whether to include a golf cart as part of the rental. I don't have a cart and would need to buy one, used probably. Would also take out separate cart insurance policy. However my concern is that, since I am new to this, I really don't know what the liability risks are with providing a cart to tenants.
Looking for advice from other renters on the pros and cons of providing a golf cart. Do you feel that going through the effort and expanse of buying a cart is worth it due to increased rental activity.

Thanks

[kfierle]

I rented my place for about 5 years without a cart and had no problems finding renters. I always provided my tenants with a list of where they could rent carts. At the time, I could not justify the expense of purchasing a cart for renters when it was just as easy for them to rent a cart. Yes, I had huge concerns about liability.

[Rickg]

We bought last year and decided to rent it out for two months. We had it rented within the first week of listing it WITHOUT a golf cart. I felt there was a huge liability and had heard the same from others. I will have my cart picked up and stored for the two months that the house is rented. I provided the tenants with a list of local businesses that rent GC's and advised them to call early.

[Kelsie52]

I rent my Villa without a cart --have had no problems renting it at all.

I feel there is a great liability issue for me as a homeowner if I provide a cart . If someone is in an accident you will be pulled into the case.

You can not purchase a policy for a cart that is provided with your home as a rental.

You will see some say that certain companies will write the policy --but you must say that you are letting them use the cart and it is not part of the rental

That is a little to deceptive for me.

Good Luck

[jnieman]

I think you'll find that you need a separate insurance policy on the cart to rent it out. Many homeowner's policies only cover the cart while it is being driven on the golf course. It may be difficult to find an insurance agent to write such a policy. If you do searches on this forum, this topic has been discussed many times.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by jnieman

I think you'll find that you need a separate insurance policy on the cart to rent it out. Many homeowner's policies only cover the cart while it is being driven on the golf course. It may be difficult to find an insurance agent to write such a policy. If you do searches on this forum, this topic has been discussed many times.

At the present time there is no such thing as a cart insurance policy which covers either the owner or the renter. In other words, all of the liability for cart use falls on the owner of the cart if there is a problem.

However, there is an answer for those who rent their homes and wish to provide cart use for their guests. A cart policy from Allstate, for less than $70 annually WILL cover the owner and the renter for all liability and property damage under these conditions: IF it is a private home rented by the owner (not a golf cart business with more than one cart), and IF there is no separate fee charged for the cart. In this case, the owner is allowing a guest to use his cart, just like he would do if a relative or friend was visiting, and therefore everyone is covered. Owners who wish to derive some income from cart use must add these costs to the home rental fee.

This has all been discussed in previous threads. By this time there may be more than one company offering similar coverage, but Allstate certainly still does.

[jnieman]

As a previous poster mentioned Allstate may offer some solution to letting your renter use your golf cart. To be sure call Mike Fisette at Allstate at 753-4340. Mike has all of the answers.

[John Reis]

Thank you all for the good information. I am leaning towards not providing a cart since I too was able to rent my villa within a week for the high season. However I did come across a good amount renters that did not rent due to no golf cart. So I was starting to feel the pressure to get one. My wife is now VERY happy.....

Thanks for providing a straight forward explanation of the Allstate insurance situation, that was very helpful.
John

[caseycasebeer]

We have been renting our villa for the past year (...very successfully). We had an electric golf cart and initially planned to include it in the rent. The more we thought/read/studied the liability issues involved we decided not to include the cart. Many folks are exclusively in the cart rental business and cover the various concerns well.

[mulligan]

And the interesting aspect of the rental cart business is that they are un-insured.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by mulligan

And the interesting aspect of the rental cart business is that they are un-insured.

Not only are cart rental companies uninsured, but folks who rent carts from anyone are uninsured as well. There is a common belief that a person's auto, homeowner's or certainly their umbrella liability coverage will protect them if they have a problem in a rented golf cart. This is simply not true. The only circumstance under which you are protected is if you have been allowed to use another person's insured golf cart and you are not paying specifically for that privilege.

[Rosalie]

I didn't realize until recently that the golf carts I have rented from various rental companies probably were not insured!! We'll be down to The Villages soon and will need to rent a golf cart----any suggestions out there on what to do? I could call my local car insurance company and ask if they will insure it in Florida or I could just hope for the best and drive carefully!

I'm wondering if The Villages Golf Carts (as in the one on Canal St.) are insured? Does anyone know? Guess I could call and ask them!

Any info will be apreciated. Thank you.

[ouatiny]

When you are in court over the house the rental agreement the recommendation of a cart rental or what ever just tell the judge to check with TOTV as he can get all his answers right here.. AND they lawyer you will be paying to represent you will cost so much more than the lawyer you could ask now! about tips and tricks for renting your real estate your liabilities as a landlord etc etc. just a thought

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Rosalie

..... or I could just hope for the best and drive carefully!

Please Rosalie, don't even consider driving a golf cart without proper insurance. If you are in an accident, it could cost you a fortune. Golf cart insurance is not expensive, but very necessary.

[Indydealmaker]

There is no way that legit golf cart rental companies are running bare without liability coverage.

That being said, the renters are dependent upon their homeowners for liability coverage.

I can't believe that the rental firms would not offer policies similar to car rental companies.