Canyon Creek Insurance

GOLF CARTS IN by Wilson Allen - Owner THE NEIGHBORHOOD???

As a Canyon Creek resident and local business owner, I decided to speak to the City Council and the Richardson Police Department about the issue of the legality of golf carts on our neighborhood streets. The City of Richardson’s local ordinance only addresses the use of electronic scooters and “Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles.” Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles are not the same as golf carts. The City of Richardson adheres to the rules put into place by the State of Texas for golf carts.

City of Richardson states:

Along with the “motor assisted scooter,” the Legislature legalized the “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.” The “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle” is defined as any vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500. They generally resemble a golf cart but are larger, usually capable of carrying four passengers with a top speed between 20 mph and 25 mph. Vehicles such as the John Deere Gator and Kawasaki Mule are not Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, because they are primarily designed to carry cargo rather than passengers and, therefore, not subject to Federal Standard 500. Like the motorassisted scooter, Neighborhood Electric Vehicles can be driven on any street or highway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less and may cross streets or highways with a higher posted speed limit. However, unlike the motor assisted scooter, a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle must be registered and have a license plate. The operator must have a driver’s license, and the vehicle or operator must be covered with the required liability insurance or acceptable substitute. In addition, these vehicles meet the TRC Section 547.001 definition of a “slow moving vehicle” and must carry a low-speed vehicle emblem. Finally, as with the motor-assisted scooter, a city or county may prohibit their operation on a street or highway for safety reasons, as can TXDOT.

Texas DMV states:

A vehicle is classified as a golf cart if it has no less than three wheels, has a maximum speed of between 15-25 mph and is manufactured primarily for operation on golf courses. TxDMV does not register or title golf carts. Registration is not needed to operate your golf cart on a public road. State law allows for use of golf carts with a slow-moving vehicle emblem in the following situations: in master-planned communities with a uniform set of restrictive covenants in place, on public or private beaches, during

the daytime and no more than two miles from where the owner usually parks the golf cart and for transportation to or from a golf

posted speed limit of no more than 35 mph.

In summary, it’s ok to drive a golf cart around the neighborhood during the daytime if the golf cart is manufactured for use on the golf course. If you have a 4-seat cart or a “souped-up” cart, you are technically supposed to registered and tag that type of cart. The City of Richardson’s main concern is that everyone is safe. As long as you are operating your golf cart safely by following the rules of the road, not letting underage kids drive around the neighborhood and not driving around late at night, and if your golf cart does not exceed 25 mph, then you should expect the City to continue to allow the use of golf carts in Canyon Creek.

Do I Need Golf Cart Insurance?

It may not be your primary mode of transportation, but your golf cart sure can take you places: on the green, around your neighborhood, across your property and, in some cases, even around town on city streets.

So, do you need to insure it?

Even if you’re not legally bound to buy insurance for your golf cart, it may make sense for you to do so. And, it can offer peace of mind: Golf carts can get stolen or damaged, and because they can weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds, they can also cause serious damage or injuries in an accident.

Limited Coverage on Homeowners, Auto Policies

So, what kind of insurance coverage is available? Some people mistakenly assume that their existing insurance will absorb the risks associated with a golf cart. But, the reality is that you may not be able to rely on your homeowners insurance or your car insurance policy for protection.

Check with your agent to be sure, but most standard homeowners policies provide little coverage for golf carts — especially once you leave the borders of your property. Likewise, a standard car insurance policy typically will not offer protection for your golf cart.

Depending on who your insurance carrier is, you may be able to add on an endorsement to your existing homeowners or car insurance policy to better cover your golf cart. Or, you may choose to buy a policy specifically for your golf cart. Many insurance companies offer policies that are designed for golf carts, covering you just about anywhere

course, or to cross intersections, including a road or street that has a

your cart takes you — or even off-season while it’s in storage.

Having A Dedicated Agent Can Make All The Difference.

Coverages Typically Available for Golf Carts

Here are some basic coverage types you might find in one of these policies. (Hint: They’re similar to the types of coverages you may already be familiar with on your car insurance):

Property Damage Liability Coverage: This type of coverage offers protection if you cause an accident that damages another person’s property — a car or house, for instance. It can help you pay for repair to the property. Bodily Injury Liability: This can help protect you if you cause an accident that hurts another person. It can help you pay for the other person’s medical bills and other related expenses. Collision Coverage: This type of coverage helps you pay for repairs to your own golf cart if you collide with another cart or some other object in an accident, regardless of fault. Comprehensive Coverage: This can help protect your golf cart from fire, theft and other damages caused by something other than a collision — hail, for instance.

So, whether you plan to take on the sand traps and water hazards or just head out for a leisurely cruise, you can rest easy knowing there’s available golf cart insurance that’s right for you.

Come see us at Canyon Creek Insurance for more info. We offer golf cart coverage starting at $90 a year.

Canyon Creek Insurance 972-810-4149 2701 CUSTER ROAD #813 II Creeks Plaza wilsonallen@allstate.com

© 2015 Allstate Insurance Co. 127385

Meet the Thomasons

With a beautiful teenager daughter and two handsome boys, the Thomason’s keep it looking like an easy feat raising three kids. We spent some time with them on a Sunday afternoon after the holidays, and they were a fun family to hang out with. Whether the boys were bouncing on the trampoline or climbing up into the tree house for a photo opp, they were having fun doing it. Jeremy and Laura, of course, were hospitable in their home that practically begs you to grab a seat in front of the fireplace and relax with friends. Canyon Creek Life is honored to bring you a snip-it of what it’s like to be a Thomason. We know you will enjoy learning about our HOA president and his beautiful family.

Names and kids’ ages:

Riley (13), Jace (11), Jack (9)

How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?

Since 2007

Where did you and Laura grow up and go to school?

Jeremy was born and raised in Richardson and graduated from Berkner High School. He graduated from Texas A&M with a BBA in Finance and then a MBA from the University of Central Florida. Laura was born and raised in Garland and graduated from North Garland High School. She graduated from Kilgore College where she was a Rangerette and later received her RN from Brookhaven. We met at church in the 6th grade.

Have you lived in any other houses in CC?

Nope. Our house we live in now is our ‘Forever House’.

Which schools do your kids attend? Aldridge Elementary and Wilson Middle School. And if all goes well they will be Fighting Texas Aggie Classes of ’24, ’27, and ’28!

What is your occupation?

Jeremy is an executive in the equipment finance industry that will be working for Wells Fargo starting in March having been acquired from GE Capital, CitiCapital, and The Associates along the way. Laura is a nonpracticing RN and Chief Operating Officer of the Thomason Household.

What other hobbies do you and Laura have?

Jeremy and Laura both love watching and coaching our kids’ activities and being fans of our local sports teams (Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and Aggies). We love improving our ‘Forever Home’ and spending time at the lake in East Texas. We are quite active in the community and at Chase Oaks Church. We love leading a small group (aka ‘Lifegroup’) of ‘Chase Oakers’ that pretty much all live in the neighborhood.

What’s your favorite neighborhood spot of Canyon Creek?

We love Prairie Creek Park, Point North Park and dining in II Creeks.

Where can we find you on a typical Friday or Saturday night?

This is very dependent on the season, but generally you will find us at home if we are in town. Since we love our teams so much we usually will want to watch those games after going out to eat somewhere nearby. Almost every weekend our kids are spending the night with a friend in the neighborhood or we are having one of their friends spend the night with us.

Tell me some Thomason Family Traditions?

We are blessed to be close to our extended family on both sides. So, the tradition of spending large chunks of time with the bigger family is important whether it is during the holidays, vacations, or at the lake. We usually have a ‘cultural’ outing during the Christmas season where we go to the Christmas Pops at the Meyerson, or attend a live rendition of the Christmas Carol. Jeremy and Laura usually go on a Rangers Road Trip every year having watched the Rangers play away games in NY, St. Louis, Oakland, San Francisco, Anaheim, Chicago, and Tampa. Jeremy always runs in the Turkey Trot downtown each year and has played Fantasy Football with high school friends for the past 25 years.

How long have you been on the HOA Board and what positions have you held?

Jeremy has been on the HOA Board for 8 years serving in the positions of Director of Crime Watch, President-elect, President, PastPresident, and now President again.

What is your goal for 2016 for Canyon Creek HOA?

As you can read in the President’s letter, I am big on setting goals. I go into the details there about my goals, but if I had to say anything to the entire ‘hood’ about a good goal for the next year it would really be a simple rhetorical question….. Do you know the names of ALL of your next-door neighbors?