FLORIDA GOLF CART INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCIDENTS

Golf cart ownership in the state of Florida is on the rise. With Florida’s warm and sunny climate, it’s not unusual to see golf carts zipping around everywhere. Golf carts aren’t just used on golf courses these days, as originally intended. In many gated and retirement communities, golf carts have become a popular means of transportation to places like schools, churches, and grocery stores. Golf carts have also become more elaborate, faster, and more powerful, with some reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The question we’re often asked is what are the requirements for owning and operating a golf cart in Florida.

In Florida, anyone over the age of 14 may drive a golf cart without a driver’s license, and insurance on golf carts is not required. Additionally, Florida law permits golf carts to be driven on private roads and public roads that have been specifically designated for golf cart use by local entities such as counties, municipalities, and homeowners’ associations. Golf carts may also be operated to cross a portion of the highway that divides a subdivision, trailer park, or golf course. While golf carts in Florida are not required to be insured, insurance is highly recommended.

A golf cart that can exceed 20 miles per hour but does not exceed 25 miles per hour is classified as a “low-speed vehicle” (LSV). A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with seat belts, brakes, headlights, taillights, and turn signals, and it must be registered with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Since low-speed vehicles are considered motor vehicles, they are required to be insured with Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) and Property Damage Liability coverage to be operated on Florida streets and highways. A low-speed vehicle may only be operated on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, and the operator must possess a valid driver’s license.

With the popularity of golf carts has come an increase in golf cart-related accidents. According to a survey done by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, over 147,000 golf cart injuries occurred in the U.S. over a 16-year period, from 1990 to 2006. If that isn’t alarming enough, children account for approximately one-third of golf cart-related accidents and injuries. Common types of golf cart accidents include rollovers, excessive speed crashes, and expulsions from not wearing a seat belt. In Florida, a golf cart is considered a “dangerous instrumentality,” meaning that the owner of the golf cart is responsible for any damage caused by the negligence of the driver. Something to think about when you entrust your golf cart to others.

If you were injured in a golf cart accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact our office for help.