Boat Insurance traditionally functions like an Auto Insurance Policy. You have your standard coverages such as Property Damage & Bodily Insurance Liability, Underinsured/Uninsured Liability, Comprehensive, Collision, and Medical Payments.
Some Items to Consider When Purchasing Boat Insurance
Make Sure You Insure Your Customizations
Once you purchase a boat, more than likely you will start customizing it. These customizations must be added to your policy. Unless you add them to your policy, the insurance carrier will not pay a claim on customizations. Your insurance agent should review your insurance annually to make sure you have the proper coverage.
Make Sure You Boat Insurance Provides Pollution Coverage
You should ask your agent if your Boat Insurance policy provides any pollution coverage. This is an important coverage since you could be held liable for any leakage into a waterway caused by your boat. This could be accident related, or not accident related.
Purchase Personal Effects/Equipment Coverage
This option will provide coverage for rafts, skis, fishing equipment, etc. for any type of loss. The loss could be from a boating accident, damage while in road transit, or theft. The coverage is inexpensive and typically does not have a deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Insurance
In most cases wherever you operate the boat, that governing authority will require you to have insurance. If you are not required, we still recommend purchasing Boat Insurance. Just like driving a car, you could be held liable for any boating accident resulting in Property Damage, and or Bodily Injury.
This will depend on operational area, boat size, boat type, engine size, the value of the boat, and operator experience. Small bass boats generally run $150 a year, while speed/ski boats could cost up to $850 year.