Liability

[9973720wb19]

Just looking out the window as see a tractor going down the road...and wondering. If that tractor (or me and my tractor) collides with a car (let's say), I know the car has insurance and is taged, but my tractor is not taged and does not carry specfic and direct insurance. If it's the tractor's fault, would homeowners cover this? Also, are tractors "really" allowed on the road if it's the cars' fault? Is the car not liable because the tractor should not be on a public road in the first place?

 

[ultrarunner]

Farmers I know are covered under their farm liability policy as long as the use is farm related.

Some non-farmers purchase a rider for their home owner policies that provide liability...

 

[rjkobbeman]

A lot of people get away with driving their tractors down the road because farmers are allowed... but is it really legal for the non-farmer? I would think not. (I am guilty of this by the way.) I imagine one of the things farmers have, that the average joe tractorin' away down the road doesn't have, is liability insurance.

 

[MF 1532]

These are all good questions , and your reputable agent is who to ask . 15 years I have been in business and every incident has different stipulations . I want the peace of mind , but it seems like you can be "insurance poor". Something you might check on is a umberella policy , it is very cheap per million dollars. It will cover anything over and beyond your other policies limits. I always have personal , business , fleet , workmans comp with the same company , my reasoning , I have had a situation that they would not cover it on one policy , but they did on another . This probably didn't answer your question ,but I do hope it helps .

 

[TripleR]

I can only speak for Missouri, but Missouri statutes allow for the use of tractors on public roadways for specific purposes such as travel from one farm or field to another, going to or from a repair facility etc., but they are not to be used as transportation.

As to insurance, check with your carrier. Mine said that under my policy as long as our tractors are going from one farm to another, our liability insurance will cover it. We have farms in every direction, so you can bet if anything happens, I am on my way to or from one of them, of course I usually am.

Living in the heart of farm country, tractors are as common almost as cars at times, so no one really bothers to check on them or they wouldn't get anything else done.

 

[sweettractors]

We have a few fellows in our county that can't get a drivers license because they are legally blind or lost the drivers license. They drive tractors to where ever they need to go in county. No official has ever stopped them. Ken Sweet

 

[jk96]

I have a tractor specific policy through American Family Insurance. It covers damage, repair, theft, etc on the tractor itself as well as liability for any damage/accident I may cause during the operation of the tractor. Runs me about $600/year.

 

[tessiers]

In Maine to drive on the road a tractor is supposed to be registered with tractor plates, which requires liability insurance. I looked into doing roadside mowing and in order to get a contract with the state you need insurance and registration paperwork. There is an exemption for agricultural equipment during ag related duties, for the registration, not sure about the insurance. We have a farm umbrella policy so I am covered but for years I didn't, and I have never registered a tractor, never got stopped either.

 

[Soundguy]

i'm sure it varies by state.. but in florida, a non tagged farm implement with a smv plaque moving at 24mph or less, fully occupying it's lane is legal on most roads other than limited access roadways.

as for insurance.. I'd check your homeowners policy. I know my policy covers liability for my tractor if I'm drving between my home and other property doing work for myself.. not for hire.. etc.

check your state dmv and HO policy.

soundguy

A lot of people get away with driving their tractors down the road because farmers are allowed... but is it really legal for the non-farmer? I would think not. (I am guilty of this by the way.) I imagine one of the things farmers have, that the average joe tractorin' away down the road doesn't have, is liability insurance.

 

[rilesdav]

Good question, anyone know the rules in Massachusetts????

 

[orezok]

To add to this discussion, what about construction "tractors". Not only are they in the road constantly, sometimes driven by workers who have never operated before.

I'm sure the rental company doesn't insure them for liability.

 

[Chilly807]

In Canada, if it's on the road, it had better have plates and be insured for liability.

Sean

 

[Ford tractor]

"Home Owners" insurance will typically NOT cover any thing off your property. Even if traveling between properties. If you want coverage for liability off property, you typically will have to explicitly get it. Many agents are ignorant and will shine you on with incorrect information. Get it in writing.

Most accidents on the road with cars and tractors are the cars fault due to the low speed and SMV on the tractor. Unless you run into or over something / someone, you are MUCH more likely to get run into by a person texting a message at 65mph.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

9 times out of 10, any car/tractor accident is going to be the fault of the car driver.

 

[Storm56]

I own an insurance agency in PA, so my response is directed at PA laws. If it is a farm operation, the liability will come from your farm policy. If it is construction, your contractors insurance will cover it. If you are a homeowner and are not doing the job for hire, your homeowner insurance will cover it.

All of the above scenarios are of course assuming you as the tractor operator were responsible for the accident.

 

[MarkV]

I own an insurance agency in PA, so my response is directed at PA laws. If it is a farm operation, the liability will come from your farm policy. If it is construction, your contractors insurance will cover it. If you are a homeowner and are not doing the job for hire, your homeowner insurance will cover it.

Storm I am interested in your reply applying to homeowners insurance and my 'not for hire' tractor on the road. My homeowners insurance told me that I am only covered on my property. As was mentioned by others, I am not covered trailering equipment from one property I own to the other by homeowners. That was up to my auto insurance, same agent. Best I could tell if driving the tractor on the road no one covered me. I was fine once I was on my other property. It got really in a "grey area" when we started discussing family land that we have part interest in.

So, is it a company vs. company thing or a state by state thing when you are covered? Just wondering your take on homeowners insurance vs. tractor.

Thanks,
MarkV

 

[Soundguy]

in fl, my homeowners agent told me if I roaded my tractor from one of my properties to the other, and was not doing for hire work, hy HO policy covered me. If I trailered it.. it would be up to me to have a rider for the trailer AND contents... thus I road often


soundguy

 

[MarkV]

in fl, my homeowners agent told me if I roaded my tractor from one of my properties to the other, and was not doing for hire work, hy HO policy covered me. If I trailered it.. it would be up to me to have a rider for the trailer AND contents... thus I road often


soundguy

Did they happen to mention limitations? I own some property 20 miles from me and it would not be practical to drive the tractor there. On the other hand if homeowners insurance covers me.

I got about the same response on trailering. It is covered under your auto insurance and you have to see what that covers for trailers and cargo or get a rider.

MarkV

 

[WayneB]

I believe in New Hampshire if you are going on public roadways your tractor must registered and have a tractor plate attached.

 

[Soundguy]

Did they happen to mention limitations? I own some property 20 miles from me and it would not be practical to drive the tractor there. On the other hand if homeowners insurance covers me.

I got about the same response on trailering. It is covered under your auto insurance and you have to see what that covers for trailers and cargo or get a rider.

MarkV

on mine, having my trailer on my auto insurance alone wasn't enough.. I also had to have a rider for 'contents' alternately I could get a farm or inland marine policy to cover the tractor itself..

as for limits of coverage.. same liability limits as at my home are on my pasture down the road.