How Much is Golf Cart Insurance (LSV Insurance) in New Jersey?

Low Speed, Street Legal Golf Carts Are Gaining Fast on the Mainstream

The new generation of street legal golf carts and other types of Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) are ultra-convenient, simple to drive, environmentally friendly, and able to adapt to a wide variety of terrain and situations. As LSVs become more popular, independent insurance agents are often asked about the cost of golf cart insurance in New Jersey, and whether homeowners insurance covers golf carts and other LSVs.

While it might sound strange to say that a "low speed" ride is gaining fast on the competition, the truth is that for an increasing number of Garden State drivers, these vehicles are doing many of the jobs that were once the exclusive territory of gas-burning passenger cars and light trucks.

Even though a battery powered golf cart is not subject to mandatory motor vehicle inspections, its status as a way to move multiple passengers and light cargo on public roadways requires that it be operated by a licensed driver; that it carry proper title, tags and registration issued by the state Motor Vehicle Commission, and that it be insured by the owner — a relatively recent development for which your independent insurance agent stands ready to design a policy of golf cart insurance that meets your needs. 

What Makes a Golf Cart or LSV Street Legal?

Unlike a standard golf cart — a vehicle that, as the name suggests, is intended strictly for use on golf courses and other settings that are removed from the flow of street traffic — a "street legal" golf cart is designed to share the road with its bigger, more powerful cousins, by being comparatively faster and a whole lot safer.

Low Speed Vehicles include:

^{* Due to the top speed requirement, LSVs are allowed only on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Some municipalities limit their use to streets with a 25 mph limit (municipal governments may also prohibit any LSV use within city limits).}

All that said, a growing number of NJ licensed drivers have found this new breed of golf cart to be a perfect match for their local driving habits and lifestyles, a point reinforced by Michael L. Razze of the New Jersey-based Big I alliance of independent insurance agents.

"These new and improved golf carts have proven to be ideal for retirees, work-at-homes, small business owners, and others whose travel is commonly limited to local trips," states the president of the organization of independent insurance agents. "All things considered, they're an economical and eco-conscious choice for those who don't require 'a lot more car' than they would ever use."

While there are many states that don't require battery-powered golf carts to be registered or insured — and even some that allow operation by drivers as young as 14 years of age — New Jersey mandates that a street legal cart must conform to federal regulations regarding safety of operation and equipment, as well as some state-specific requirements.

Federal and NJ State Requirements for Street Legal Vehicles Include:

What Kind of Golf Cart Insurance Do You Need?

As opposed to an electric bicycle (e-bike) or e-scooter, insuring an electrically powered golf cart for New Jersey driving is not an option but a requirement — and, as Razze observes, the right move for drivers who take to the Garden State's streetscape with the safety of their family members, friends and neighbors in mind.

"As with any vehicle, golf carts are subject to theft or damage…and can also cause damage to people and property in the event of an accident," the Big I president explains. "While a traditional golf cart could be insured as personal property under an existing homeowners policy, such coverage is essentially very limited…whereas the new generation of street legal carts require a more comprehensive level of coverage, for their travels beyond your home turf."

A dedicated policy of coverage for a street legal golf cart or other LSV meets the basic level of coverage mandated by the State of New Jersey — and brings an extra level of satisfaction in knowing that your vehicle and its precious cargo of passengers carries serious protection against the things that can affect car and driver.

New Jersey insurance agents can design a golf cart insurance policy based around these three standard plans of coverage:

Whichever level of coverage you select, a dedicated golf cart insurance policy can be an affordable way to add another vehicle to your household — even in cases where the LSV is, for all practical purposes, a second car or even primary mode of local transportation. A basic coverage plan can be very affordable — and even the most comprehensive package of coverage can be an affordable alternative to insuring a regular passenger vehicle. 

You've got questions. Your Trusted Choice independent insurance agent has the answers.

The current breed of battery powered golf carts represents something new on the streets of our New Jersey communities — and if you're considering owning one of these street legal LSVs, your Trusted Choice insurance representative has the experience and expertise in all aspects of coverage for powered forms of transportation and the people who rely upon them.

While there are numerous variables that factor into the cost of a standalone insurance policy (including current points on your driver license, or claims on your existing auto insurance), our agents can design a coverage plan that meets State of New Jersey standards and works within the ways in which you'll be using the vehicle — including the amount of mileage you intend to accrue during the year, the routes you plan to travel, and the prospect of carrying passengers on a regular basis.

You don't have to hit the fairway to consult with your Trusted Choice independent insurance agent about insuring a street legal golf cart. Ask about the even more affordable option of insuring multiple Low Speed Vehicles on the same policy — and learn how we're helping New Jersey drivers navigate this intriguing new way of getting around in the 21st century.