Does car insurance cover off road driving?

Driving a vehicle on rough terrain made of mud, sand, gravel, snow or rocks is known as off-road driving. Many types of drivers go off-roading, such as agricultural workers and landowners who need to navigate uneven ground quickly, adrenalin junkies seeking their next thrill and tourists wanting to get off the beaten track and explore more of the countryside in their cars.

While many off-road vehicles are increasingly used for everyday purposes, they’re designed to be driven off-road too. Features like extended ground clearance, a strengthened drive-train and off-road tyres mean they’re capable of travelling over difficult terrain, giving drivers the opportunity to discover spectacular views while putting their driving skills to the test.

But if you’re thinking about taking your 4×4 out on an adventure, it’s wise to consider whether your car insurance policy covers you for this. Off-roading is a risky activity, so having the right insurance is essential for protecting you in case something goes wrong.

In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about off-road car insurance.

Does car insurance cover off-road driving?

It’s unlikely that a standard car insurance policy would pay out for an accident that’s happened while driving your vehicle off-road, however, you may be able to include off-road cover as an optional extra.

When buying a policy, you’ll need to explain how you use your vehicle, and insurers will ask questions like whether you use your car for social domestic and pleasure, social domestic and pleasure plus commuting or for business purposes, as well as whether you enter it into competitions or drive it off-road.

Read on to find out more about cover for off-road driving.

Do you need car insurance to go off-roading?

If you plan to use your vehicle solely for off-roading, you’re not legally required to have insurance. However, if you drive on public roads, the law states you must have third-party insurance as a minimum.

In most cases, you will be driving your vehicle on public roads in order to get to your off-road destination, which means you’ll need to have car insurance. Bear in mind that you’ll also need insurance to drive on green lanes because although they are unpaved, they’re considered the same as normal public roads.

But even if you only plan to drive your car on private land, it’s a good idea to consider getting it insured. 4x4s and other off-road vehicles are usually heavy and bulky, meaning they can be dangerous pieces of equipment and driving them in off-roading conditions increases your chances of having an accident. Plus, they can be extremely expensive to replace if they’re damaged or stolen, and without car insurance, you would have to cover the costs of repairs and replacements yourself.

What does off-road cover include?

Off-road car insurance usually includes cover for theft and fire damage, but third-party cover isn’t always included, so ask your insurer to add it on if you need it.

Some of the other things that can be included on an off-road car insurance policy are:

Ex-military coverGreen-lane coverModified vehicles coverMultiple vehicle coverNon-competitive off-road coverProtected no-claims bonus

Rather than adding off-road cover to an existing car insurance policy, it might be worth choosing specialist insurance which is tailored to this kind of driving instead — especially if you plan to compete in off-road races.

How much does off-road car insurance cost?

Off-road car insurance usually costs more than regular car insurance. This is because off-road driving is riskier than driving on paved roads, and the vehicles that are capable of off-roading often have higher specifications which put them in a more expensive insurance group. As already mentioned, their sheer bulk means they have the potential to cause more damage than regular cars, and spare parts for off-road vehicles generally cost more too. Also, insurers view these types of vehicles as more attractive to thieves.

The exact price of your premium will depend on various factors, including the following:

Type of vehicle

The more your off-road vehicle is worth, the higher your premium is likely to be, as it will cost more to repair or replace.

Modifications

Drivers often make modifications to off-road vehicles, so they perform better on rough terrain. Some common modifications include:

Suspension modifications, for example, raising itChanging the braking systemUpgrading the tyres

But making changes to the manufacturer’s original factory specification could affect your premium.

Remember to always notify your car insurance company if you make any modifications — otherwise, you risk invalidating your policy.

The level of insurance you choose

Car insurance comes in three tiers: Third-party only cover, which is likely to be the cheapest; third-party, fire and theft cover, which usually costs more; and fully comprehensive cover, which is often the most expensive option.

Your location

When generating your quote, insurance providers will consider the crime rate in your area and adjust the price according to the risk. 

Security

Insurers will want to know where your vehicle is kept overnight and whether it has any security features, such as CCTV cameras, immobilisers and Thatcham-approved locks. Again, they will adjust the price according to the risk. 

Driver’s details

Your age, driving experience and claims history can also have an impact on the price of your off-road car insurance policy.

How can I pay less for off-road car insurance?

When it comes to insurance, price isn’t the most important factor to consider. By opting for the cheapest policy, you could find you’re not covered for everything you should be. However, there are some ways you might be able to reduce your premium without compromising on any of the features you need:

Buy an older vehicle — Brand new vehicles are usually more expensive to insure, so consider buying a second-hand model instead.Change how you pay — Paying for your premium in one lump sum can cost less than making monthly instalments, as these usually have interest added on top.Don’t pay for what you don’t need — Cut down on unnecessary optional extras, like a courtesy car cover or breakdown cover.Drive less — Some insurers offer limited mileage policies for drivers who only drive a few thousand miles a year.Increase security — To deter thieves and vandals, install the best security system you can afford and store your vehicle in a garage or on a driveway overnight.Increase your excess — You could lower your premium by opting for a higher voluntary excess. Just make sure you could afford this excess if you did have to make a claim.Join a club — You might be able to get a discount if you’re a member of an owners club or car club.Mention your driving history — Tell your insurer or broker of any no-claims bonus you have, and let them know if you have experience driving an off-road vehicle.Shop around — The best way to shop around for the best quotes is to go through a broker, like A-Plan. This is because they have access to a wide range of insurers who will negotiate to get you the best price.

What other extras can I add to my car insurance policy?

As well as off-road cover, there is a range of other optional extras you can add to a standard car insurance policy. Some of these include:

Accidental damage cover — Enables you to claim for damage to your car in an accident in which no other vehicle is involvedBreakdown cover — Covers you if your vehicle breaks down and you need roadside assistance or recovery to your home or to a garageChild car seat cover — If you’re involved in an accident and your child’s car seats are damaged, they will be replacedCourtesy car cover — If your car is being repaired or has been written off following a claim, you’ll be provided with a courtesy car Driving abroad cover — If you take your vehicle to another country, you’ll have the same cover abroad as you do in the UKLegal cover — Provides financial protection against legal expenses that are incurred following an accident that wasn’t your faultMisfuelling cover — The cost of draining and cleaning the fuel tank will be covered if you fill up with the wrong type of fuelPersonal accident cover — Protects you if you’re seriously injured while driving your vehiclePersonal belongings cover — Covers personal possessions left in your car, so if they’re stolen or damaged, you’ll be compensatedReplacement key cover — Covers the cost of replacement keys and locksTowed equipment cover — If you use your vehicle to tow trailers or caravans, they will be covered tooWindscreen cover — Covers the cost of repairing any chips or cracks in your vehicle’s windscreen

Summary

If you’re thinking about taking your vehicle on an offroad adventure, it’s wise to consider whether your car insurance policy covers you for this. Off-roading is a risky activity, so having appropriate insurance is essential for protecting you in case something goes wrong.

It’s unlikely that a standard car insurance policy would pay out for an accident that’s happened while driving your vehicle off-road, however, you may be able to include off-road cover as an optional extra.

If you drive your vehicle on public roads, the law states you must have third-party insurance as a minimum, however, if you plan to use your vehicle solely for off-roading, you’re not legally required to have insurance. But even if you only drive your car on private land, it’s a good idea to consider getting it insured. Vehicles that are designed to be driven off-road are usually heavy and bulky, meaning they can be dangerous pieces of equipment. Driving them in off-roading conditions increases your chances of having an accident, they can be extremely expensive to replace if they’re damaged or stolen, and without car insurance, you would have to cover the costs of repairs and replacements yourself.

Some of the things that can be included on an off-road car insurance policy are third-party cover, green-lane cover and non-competitive off-road cover. 

Off-road car insurance usually costs more than regular car insurance because insurers view this type of driving as riskier. The exact price of your premium will depend on various factors, such as the type of vehicle you own, whether you’ve made any modifications to it, what level of insurance you choose, where you live, what security measures you’ve taken and your age, driving experience and claims history.

You may be able to reduce your premium by paying in one lump sum, cutting down on unnecessary optional extras, driving less and going through a broker like A-Plan.

In addition to off-road cover, some of the other things you can add to your car insurance policy are: Accidental damage cover, child car seat cover, legal cover, personal accident cover and cover for any trailers or caravans you tow.

Also read about:
How do I insure my 4×4?
What does 4×4 insurance cover?
Off-road insurance