Everything to Know About Trailers and Insurance in Wisconsin

While the legal landscape allows you to pull a trailer without a separate insurance card at a traffic stop, relying strictly on that bare minimum may expose you to substantial financial liability that you can otherwise avoid!

Check out this list of key facts from Boyd’s Outdoor Power that could save you a buck (or a lot of bucks):

• The “Hitched” Rule: Your auto policy’s bodily injury and property damage liability limits apply to your trailer ONLY when it is securely coupled to your vehicle. If a trailer detaches while driving or rolls down a hill while unhitched and hits a parked vehicle, your personal auto insurance will likely deny the liability claim.
• No Automatic Damage Coverage: If a tree falls on your utility trailer, or it gets stolen from a job site, your standard auto comprehensive and collision coverage will not pay a dime toward a replacement unless you have added a specific trailer endorsement. Be wary of the fine print!
• The Commercial Void: If you use your trailer for business purposes, your personal auto insurance policy becomes completely void. You must secure a commercial vehicle and commercial trailer policy.

Securing and Protecting Your Towing Setup, Step-by-Step:

To make sure you’re legally and financially protected before hitting Wisconsin’s highways with your towing setup, follow our researched, step-by-step guide:

• Verify Your Auto Policy Limits

Call your current auto insurance provider to explicitly confirm that your liability limits extend to a towed asset. Ask them also about adding a structural trailer endorsement, which typically costs just a few dollars a month but protects the actual cash value (ACV) of the unit. That’s worth the couch change!

• Confirm Your Registration with the Wisconsin DMV

In Wisconsin, trailing equipment with a gross weight over 3,000 pounds must be registered and display a valid license plate. Pulling an unregistered or overloaded trailer can nix your insurance claims entirely under “negligence clauses.”

• Match Your Trailer to Your Cargo Load

Check that your trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is capable of carrying your machinery safely. Overloading can cause severe accidents and liability in the worst of cases.

The Answer to All Your Needs is Boyd’s Outdoor Power!

When managing risk on the road, your equipment matters just as much as your insurance policy. The ultimate answer to securing a bulletproof towing and lawn care setup is Boyd’s Outdoor Power!

Boyd’s Outdoor Power is an authorized dealer for Triton Trailers, featuring the highly customizable Triton FIT Series. These aluminum utility trailers feature premium engineering, and alongside additional options from industry-leading names like Ariens, Gravely, and even John Deere, you’ll find anything you’re looking for right here at Boyd.

We also offer flexible financing options tailored to your unique budget! Don’t overspend on the perfect machine; skip the massive box stores and deal directly with local experts. Visit our showroom located at 930 State Road 35 South, Dresser, WI 54009.

Don’t risk your hard-earned money on flimsy trailers and worn-out mowing equipment. Connect with your local experts by contacting us now!