[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by memason

I think it best to talk to your insurance agent about this. Insurance is all about the risk you are willing to assume .vs the premium you pay. Coverage levels and deductibles can only be addressed by your carrier.

Cheers....

I have an umbrella policy for an amount that should be able to cover a large liability. You might want to check with your insurance carrier, umbrella policies are not very expensive

[oot]

When I was younger and dating my husband - he took me to Dearborn to see the Seniors play golf. When we left there was a golf cart near one of the buildings and my husband commented that we should take the cart instead of walking to the car.

I told him no way - and also laughed because the keys were not in the cart. That devil used his key for his Hi-Lo at work and actually drove the thing a short distance. I was very embarrased and kept walking. Of course, that cart most likely had a standard key that worked in many carts. This thread did bring back memories.

Welcome from an Eastsider from Macomb County!

[Down Sized]

Originally Posted by memason

Stealing a golf cart would be very easy... There are no doors or locks and someone could simply put the transmission in neutral and load it on a truck and drive away with it. ..and as you said, repaint it and sell it.

Thankfully, we don't hear much about stolen golf carts. But, that's another reason to have good insurance on your cart.

Enjoy your unpacking....

Before Wildwood opened I talk to three policeman from Wildwood on this very discussion. They said they were worried about when Wildwood opens and as it comes along that this very thing about stealing golf carts and clubs out of the large parking lot. They didn't know how they would keep it from happening there with it that close to the highway. They said at the very least that the golf carts might be pilfered regularly.

[JP]

What!! Are you kidding me??!!

[Golf-Tinker]

Please change title of your post to something like "STEAL A GOLF CART." The current title implies a cart HAS been stolen.

Thanks

Jim

[Jim 9922]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

I have a dumb question. What prevents someone from hotwiring a golf cart and just driving it away...a coat of paint and it's unrecognizable. .......

Past threads on TOTV have discussed carts gone missing and even a year or so ago a small local cart hack shop near TV was busted. Unless you have an automobile type of key lock, your cart will start with a standardized key that everyone else has which is used standard on almost all carts, or just put in neutral and push it onto a trailer and, poof, you are gone. Who needs new paint, most come in a standard 10 or so colors. Just remove the names and maybe a couple of strips of tape and maybe add a couple of new decals and striping tape and you are probably home free. Maybe seat cover color combinations add a bit of difference but it seems that there are many of the same color combinations. I have never noticed the 4 or so different service people who have worked on my carts over the years give any notice to serial number stickers. Heck, to my knowledge no one has even spotted, let alone identified the hit and run cart that did substantial damage to one of TOTV member's Vette a year ago. I assume Gate cameras apparently are not much help in spotting wayward carts. There are a lot large "uncovered" ares within the gated areas and one would have to spend lots of time reviewing lots of recorded traffic hoping a cart may have passed through a gate camera area.
There are a few guys around the TV that buy up used carts for rentals. It would be interesting to know if they do, or could do, anything to check on the validity of the seller's ownership
With 50,000 carts running around TV, I have always wondered why more have not gone missing over the years. Thank goodness, maybe it is because we are a pretty honest and watchful community.

[ricthemic]

Originally Posted by Cantwaittoarrive

Sure if someone sues and wins $500,000 and your insured for $200,000 you cover the short fall.

This is exactly WHY I never lend my cart to anyone. Under FL law the owner of the cart is 100% responsible for anyone using his/her cart with permission. All property and personal law suits can and will be filed against the owner. You could even be sued by the borrower's guest if they get hurt. It makes no sense to risk everything in order to save someone 10$ a day for a rental. before you lend your cart check google this link.
Meister v. Fisher, 462 So.2d 1071 (Fla. 1985)

[Trish Crocker]

Originally Posted by oot

When I was younger and dating my husband - he took me to Dearborn to see the Seniors play golf. When we left there was a golf cart near one of the buildings and my husband commented that we should take the cart instead of walking to the car.

I told him no way - and also laughed because the keys were not in the cart. That devil used his key for his Hi-Lo at work and actually drove the thing a short distance. I was very embarrased and kept walking. Of course, that cart most likely had a standard key that worked in many carts. This thread did bring back memories.

Welcome from an Eastsider from Macomb County!

Eastsider all my life until I defected to the West Side...just not the same! Where were you in the eastside? I grew up in sterling heights, lived in Warren and worked for years in st. clair shores.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

This is exactly WHY I never lend my cart to anyone. Under FL law the owner of the cart is 100% responsible for anyone using his/her cart with permission. All property and personal law suits can and will be filed against the owner. You could even be sued by the borrower's guest if they get hurt. It makes no sense to risk everything in order to save someone 10$ a day for a rental. before you lend your cart check google this link.
Meister v. Fisher, 462 So.2d 1071 (Fla. 1985)

Interesting...
Found this bit on it also

To understand golf cart insurance, you have to begin with Florida's laws regarding golf carts. Initially, a golf cart is a motor vehicle for some purposes, and is not a motor vehicle for other purposes. Murky, right?

To clear up the confusion, for purposes of Florida's PIP statute, a golf cart is not a motor vehicle because it is generally not required to be licensed for use on the highways of this state.* Practically, this means that in most cases, although not all, your golf cart generally will not be covered for crashes under your traditional automobile coverage or Florida's PIP coverages. Because the PIP statute's coverage of $10,000 is not available for injuries suffered arising out of the use of a golf cart, there is a gap in insurance coverage for the medical expenses of persons injured while using a golf cart. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase medical payments coverage for your golf cart, if available.

Next, under Florida's motor vehicle law, a golf cart is a dangerous instrumentality.* The owner of a golf cart, because it is a dangerous instrumentality, is responsible for the damages caused by anyone using it with the owner's permission. Accordingly, it is critical to purchase liability coverage in case property damage or bodily injury results from a golf cart incident, regardless of who is using it - if you are the owner, or if you will be using a golf cart on a regular basis. The unfortunate reality is that owners of automobiles and golf carts are almost always named as defendants in lawsuits to answer for damages -- even if they were not driving or present at the time of the crash.

If 30 to 40% of automobiles have no bodily injury liability coverage, close your eyes and imagine what percentage of golf carts are not insured. Because of the significant number of golf carts and automobiles that have little or no insurance, it is again recommended that you purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Practice the golden rule of insurance -- insure for yourself as you would have others insure for you.

Most insurance companies cover golf carts as a component or rider under a homeowner's insurance policy, or under an automobile insurance policy, or under a separate recreational motor vehicle policy. It is crucial to read your homeowner's insurance policy to determine exactly what coverages are provided for your golf cart.

Many of these policies cover only property damage liability which means that if you are involved in a crash, you are unprotected. When purchasing golf cart coverage, always ask your insurance agent specifically to list your golf cart as an insured item under your policy. Additionally, request adequate bodily injury liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical payments coverage. How much coverage to purchase varies from person to person. However, the general rule should be to purchase enough coverage to protect you and your assets in the event of a crash.

In sum, you are the person in the best position to purchase adequate coverage before something bad happens. You and your family are the most important people you know, so protect yourself and your family. As a practical matter, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is utilized very often to pay medical bills, lost wages, and to compensate for pain and aggravation. Finally, purchase medical payments coverage in at least $10,000 where available to protect you in your golf cart.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I have a unique key not because I think it will stop someone from stealing my cart, if someone is set on stealing it they will no matter what you do. I have it because I'm more concern that someone will accidently get in my cart thinking it is their's and drive off with it. Yes I would most likely get it back but this way I don't have to worry when parking at the squares that someone will drive off and I have to find my cart

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by Down Sized

Before Wildwood opened I talk to three policeman from Wildwood on this very discussion. They said they were worried about when Wildwood opens and as it comes along that this very thing about stealing golf carts and clubs out of the large parking lot. They didn't know how they would keep it from happening there with it that close to the highway. They said at the very least that the golf carts might be pilfered regularly.

I'm guessing you mean Brownwood opening, not Wildwood.

[oot]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Eastsider all my life until I defected to the West Side...just not the same! Where were you in the eastside? I grew up in sterling heights, lived in Warren and worked for years in st. clair shores.

I grew up in Eastpointe (East Detroit back then) and lived for about 5 years in St. Clair Shores near 13 and Harper. My mom still lives there, but I keep trying to get her to go to the Villages. Never will happen...best thing I can do is have her come and visit.

[gjbl8114]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

I have a dumb question. What prevents someone from hotwiring a golf cart and just driving it away...a coat of paint and it's unrecognizable. When you buy a cart that isn't street legal is it just done with a bill of sale? I know I'll find out when we actually get out to get ours..just taking a break from unpacking and decided to share the random questions that go thru my befuddled mind.

Ummmm!!! Sounds as though you might be a worrier????? Try to put those thoughts out of your mind here in TV's. Although there have been reports of golf cart theft, they are few and far in between. But, as another responder has indicated, good golf cart insurance is the answer. Try it you'll like it -- we do, and we just don't worry about it......