The co-owner of an insurance agency in Steinbach is concerned about the number of all terrain vehicle owners who don't carry adequate insurance. Gerald Banman of Harvest Insurance explains the insurance rules for ATV's are different than for automobiles.

"Vehicles covered under the Offroad Insurance Act do not function the same way as vehicles insured under the Highway Traffic Act like cars and trucks. Under the Highway Traffic Act, you are not allowed to sue for pain and suffering, whereas anything that falls under the Offroad Vehicle Act, anyone can sue for pain and suffering. That opens the floodgates to a lot of litigation and high claims being paid out."

Banman says, when you buy your registration for an ATV, it comes with $500,000.00 of liability coverage which, he adds, is not very much when it comes to lawsuits. He says all the other insurance, such as personal injury coverage, must be purchased separately.

"If you get injured, you break your back, if you haven't bought the extra personal injury coverage for your all terrain vehicle, you're on your own."

Banman says many people have ATV's out at their cabins or other remote locations and feel there's no need for coverage. But he says accidents can happen anywhere and people would be wise to have the proper coverage.