Renting a golf cart / LSV

Question

We are renting a villa that includes a golf cart / LSV and had to sign a waiver absolving the rental agency and owner of any liability whilst using it. We are travelling from the UK and found it impossible to find any insurance company in the UK or the US prepared to provide any short term (2 weeks) accident or third party liability cover so that we can use it. Can anyone offer a solution as driving it without is not only illegal but a huge risk.

Answer

This is a very common issue for international visitors renting villas on Anna Maria Island that include a golf cart or LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle). Although these vehicles are popular and convenient, the insurance situation is unfortunately not straightforward—especially for visitors from the UK.

In Florida, an LSV is treated legally much more like a road vehicle than a simple golf cart. That means liability insurance is required, and the waiver you signed protects only the owner—NOT you as the driver. Because you cannot legally operate it without liability coverage, you’re right to be cautious.

Here are your realistic options and considerations:

1. Check if the villa owner actually carries LSV insurance. Many owners DO insure the LSV under a commercial or personal policy, but include a waiver so guests cannot claim damages against them. You should ask directly:
- Does the LSV have an active Florida LSV insurance policy?
- Does the policy include liability coverage for permissive drivers (you)?
Some policies automatically cover renters as long as they are legally allowed to drive. If so, you may already be covered even though the owner won’t accept liability.
2. Contact Anna Maria Island LSV rental companies. Even though your villa includes an LSV, you can still ask local rental companies whether they sell short-term liability coverage. A few companies have “insurance-included” rentals:
- AMI Golf Cart Rentals
- Beach Bums AMI
- Robinhood Rentals
They may allow you to rent a properly insured cart for two weeks and simply not use the villa’s included one.
3. Consider specialist US insurers for non-residents. Some US companies offer short-term policies for LSVs, but they rarely advertise them. Try contacting:
- Progressive (very common LSV insurer)
- GEICO
- State Farm
Sometimes these insurers can issue a temporary “non-owner liability policy” if you have the LSV registration number and the owner’s permission. However, approval for foreign visitors is hit-or-miss, so manage expectations.
4. Check UK travel insurers—some offer supplemental liability coverage. Most UK companies will not insure LSVs, but a few premium travel plans may offer “supplemental personal liability” that applies to vehicles other than rental cars. Contact your insurer and specifically ask if the policy covers:
- Low-Speed Vehicles
- Neighbourhood Electric Vehicles
- Golf carts used on public roads
Most will say no—but a few specialty plans may offer general liability coverage that would help if you injure someone (though not damage to the cart).
5. The safest option: Do not use the provided LSV. If you cannot find insurance that clearly covers you, the risk is extremely high.
- You could be personally liable for medical bills
- You could be sued for injury or property damage
- You could be fined for operating uninsured
Instead, rely on walking, bikes, or free Island Trolley service—which is very convenient on AMI.

Because you are traveling from the UK and most insurers will not issue short-term LSV liability policies to non-US residents, the outcome many visitors reach is: enjoy the island without using the cart.

The best next step is to ask the villa owner directly whether their existing insurance covers permissive drivers. If not, renting an insured cart from a local provider or avoiding LSV use altogether is the safest—and often the only—legal solution.

Renting a golf cart / LSV

More Anna Maria Island Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions