Don't Drive off Without It!

Golf buggies have become more popular with golfers in recent years. One of the main reasons for this is that people are more health conscious, living longer and want to stay active. This trend has seen sales of personal golf buggies increase substantially as individual golfers opt for their own buggy to get around the course. This increase in demand for golf buggies is matched by golf clubs making special provision for them and their owners, with many offering on-site storage areas and improved course access.

Just like all vehicles, the use and ownership of a golf buggy should be given due care and attention. There are many dangers that golf buggies face on the golf course that otherwise may not seem obvious. With golf buggies travelling up to 25mph the risk of danger is increased. Your expensive buggy could be seriously damaged in the blink of an eye. You could be facing large repair or replacement costs or even legal fees should you end up with a personal liability claim which could run into thousands of pounds. Unfortunately accidents on the golf course are common, only last year a golfer was killed in the UK when their partner’s buggy they were riding in overturned. For these reasons golf clubs are now stipulating that all golfers must have a minimum cover of public liability when driving their golf buggy on the course.

Golfplan Insurance, the recommended golf insurance supplier of the PGA, has over 25 years experience of providing the most comprehensive golf insurance on the market and includes £5 million public liability cover as standard with every policy.
“There are potential hazards on the golf course that golfers may encounter when driving their golf buggy. Public Liability claims are becoming more common, and it is important that golfers are properly covered for these unfortunate events.
In the event of vandalism or accidental damage we will pay the cost of repair, or if beyond repair, replace it with a brand new golf buggy of similar make and model.” Simon Seward Commercial Director.

Golfplan’s New for Old policy can replace your golf buggy with a brand new one if it is beyond repair. Should the worst happen you will have up to £5 million Personal Liability cover which is incorporated into all Golfplan policies as well as other benefits including 24 hour theft from car cover, accidental property damage, club membership fees are paid in the event of illness or accident on or off the course and for those Hole in One. All Golfplan policies also come with 120 days worldwide cover leaving you with total peace of mind on whichever golf course you choose to play.

Buggy Mania

Colin Montgomerie picked up some admiring glances last week when he was presented with his Ryder Cup golf buggy. For Monty, it’s an essential part of the Captain’s armoury from which he will orchestrate the European charge against the United States next year and another indication that we’re on countdown to Celtic Manor. Of course, Monty’s ride has been suitably ‘pimped’ by the specialists at Club Car with a customised paint job and in case of any doubt – ‘Captain’s Car’ emblazoned across the front.

Great work by the team at Club Car but the sight of golf buggies of all shapes and sizes on our courses is definitely on the increase, a sure sign that many of us are jumping on the errr…buggy-wagon.

So why the increase? Golf buggies for hire by clubs are nothing new but the last few years have seen a significant increase in the number of individuals buying their own buggies for use at their home course and further afield. Buggies being unloaded from trailers are a common sight in golf club car parks these days with many clubs going one step further and offering secure storage areas for ease of use.

Golfplan’s Commercial Director Simon Seward comments: ‘Individual ownership of golf buggies is really on the increase in the UK. There is a greater range of buggies on the market at different price points which makes the ownership of a buggy a real proposition for many golfers. We also have an ageing population who are healthier and want to continue to be active. The ownership of a buggy can give golfers a new lease of life.’

He added: ‘Many clubs are latching on to this trend and improving pathways around their courses, offering secure storage and issuing guidelines for use of buggies by their members and visitors.’

But what about the risk? Well to start with, a buggy owner needs to recognise the duty of care to others whilst using their buggy on a course and have public liability cover to protect them against injuring a fellow golfer. Most clubs will insist on public liability cover as a minimum before allowing buggy owners onto the course. In addition to this, there is always the threat of theft, loss, vandalism or accidental damage during use or whilst moving the buggy around from home to a course and so on. A comprehensive golf insurance policy will provide the essential protection a golfer needs for their buggy and the rest of their valuable golf equipment.

At Golfplan, all policies provide essential protection for buggies against personal liability, theft, loss, vandalism or accidental damage during use, whilst stored at a golf venue or in a garage, and during carriage to and from the golfing venue. Cover also includes public liability protection, against killing or injuring a fellow golfer. You can compare their policies here

Within all Golfplan policies, golf buggies are treated as golf equipment which means a buggy is protected 24-hours a day, giving the buggy owner total peace of mind. All a policyholder has to do is ensure that their buggy is individually secured to a fixed object when stored at a golfing venue or in a garage. Also during carriage to and from golfing venues, buggies must be secured to the trailer.