Yes, and here's why:
Side x sides these days are getting very expensive. Not only that but Backbone Adventures rents especially expensive ATV's. Our 2 seat machines are $22,000 and our 4 seat machines are $28,000. Imagine the cost of repair when one is wrecked. Even just tipping it over on it's side can get expensive.
The cost of an average tip over on one side can range from $1700 - $2900. These accidents normally happen when people are doing donuts or drifting around corners fairly slow. If it's a faster speed tip over, other damages can occur. Most notably, frame damage. In this case you're looking at a totaled machine at a cost of $22,000 to $28,000.
Another particularly expensive accident is running into a tree or another ATV. We see this quite often when people are riding out of control or going way too fast. This usually results in frame damage and a totaled machine. Sometimes the rider get's lucky and they're only looking at 3 or 4 thousand in damages.
My first piece of advice: Control yourself. If you drive like a crazy person and do extreme stuff, bad things are most likely going to happen.
My second piece of advice is to get the insurance. It's only 30 bucks. That's pretty cheap piece of mind if you ask me.
I've been in the ATV Rental business for many years and have ridden these machines in the rocky mountains my entire life. I too rent ATV's when I travel. My most recent excursion was in Costa Rica. I paid for the insurance (even though I have extensive experience). I may be an expert rider, but I don't know the exact details of the terrain in an area I'm not accustom too.
A few years ago, my wife and I rented in the Bahamas. She is a damn good rider herself. However, she got out of control for just a very brief moment. She ended up smashing into my ATV. Between the damage to the two machines, I would have saved a bundle had I paid for the insurance.
Here's something else you need to understand: I don't want to rent machines to people that are trashed. If I let one tip over go that seriously scratches up the machine, I have to let them all go. By the time my season is into full swing, you'd be renting a pile of unsafe garbage. I don't run my business like that.
If a machine get's put on it's side, even if there are only minor scratches, I take it out of the available rental lineup and go through it extensively. We need to replace the scratched plastic, roll bars, and inspect the integrity of the frame, suspension, and steering. How would you feel if I stuck you in a machine that had just been rolled an hour earlier? Your loved ones will be in the machine with you. I'm simply not willing to put them in jeopardy and you shouldn't either.
One last piece of important information: During our peak season, we see a wreck at least once every other day. Here's the crazy part: 90% of those accidents happen to experienced riders. It's simple really, most experienced riders think they're experienced enough that they won't wreck and thus; they take more risks and drive a little harder. In some cases, WAY harder.
I'm a guy so I'm allowed to talk a little trash on guys. Our testosterone tends to get the better of us from time to time. In my years of operating this business, I can count on one hand how many times I've seen a girl wreck, and I've seen well over 1000 wrecks.
Wait, one more last piece of advice: Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times. There are bars to hold on too. If you're riding with someone who is getting a little too wild, no matter what happens, hold on to those bars with both hands. I can't tell you how many severed arms I've seen.
Lastly, please don't wreck. I don't want to charge for damages anymore than you want to pay for them. More than anything though, I don't want to see anyone get hurt. Nothing ruins a weekend get away or vacation more than a serious injury.
Riding can be extremely fun and safe. People from all over the world come to Estes Park and ride with us. 99% have an amazing time (just look at our reviews). You just have to be smart about it. This isn't a Disney World amusement ride. You're in a very powerful machine that can do 0-60 in a matter of seconds. You're in control of it. You're on terrain you're not familiar with and you have unknown risks all around you. Everything from weather to wildlife, and other riders.
Hopefully I didn't scare you out of riding with me. If you've taken the time to read this far, you're the kind of rider I do want. Those who wouldn't take the time to read this are the ones who are most likely to have an accident. I'll make it simple for you: It's all about common sense. If you have it, you won't have a problem and you'll have an amazing and safe experience (probably one you won't soon forget).
Hope to see you soon........................
Andy Hitch