| Some people simply overlook boat insurance. They | | | | companies will offer all types of coverage, but they will |
| think that nothing bad is going to happen, when in | | | | offer Watercraft Liability and Watercraft Medical |
| reality, bad things often happen involving boats! | | | | payments. |
| If you own a boat, you need boat insurance. In fact, | | | | Watercraft liability covers you just like car liability |
| many states now require boat owners to carry | | | | insurance protects you in the event of an accident |
| Watercraft Liability insurance before they transport or | | | | where you are found to be at fault. Medical payments |
| operate a boat. If your boat has been financed, your | | | | will cover medical expenses incurred by you and the |
| lender will almost always require you to carry full | | | | occupants of your boat that are the result of a boating |
| coverage boat insurance. | | | | accident in the covered water vessel. |
| Again, most people don't think anything bad will happen | | | | Optional insurance usually includes coverage for |
| - but bad things do indeed occur! | | | | reasonable repairs, emergency services to your boat, |
| Vandalism is one problem that you may encounter. | | | | motor, or boat trailer, and wreck removal. Wreck |
| This is especially true if you dock your boat in a | | | | removal is very important coverage to have. If you |
| marina. Vandalism can also occur when you park your | | | | boat sinks, it will need to be raised before an insurance |
| boat at your home, or at a hotel when traveling. | | | | company can access the damages and pay your |
| When you shop for insurance, make sure that | | | | claim. This is very expensive, and in most states, the |
| vandalism is covered on your policy. Most issuers of | | | | law requires you to remove wrecked or sunken |
| boat insurance will only offer you the Watercraft | | | | vessels. |
| Liability - but in most cases, you need more coverage | | | | Boats may be luxury items - but they are very |
| than that! Theft is another possibility. Cars are stolen all | | | | expensive luxury items. |
| the time - but boats are stolen as well. In fact, stealing | | | | Repairing or replacing a boat may not be something |
| a boat is easier than stealing a car! | | | | that you can easily afford - but in most cases, you will |
| Boat insurance should cover you in the event of | | | | find that boat insurance is quite affordable. However, if |
| vandalism, theft, sinking, fire, storms, capsizing, stranding, | | | | you are thinking in terms of cost, and you think that |
| collision, and explosion. Furthermore, the insurance | | | | you cannot afford the boat coverage, you can be |
| should cover the boat, the motor, and the trailer used | | | | certain that you will not be able to afford to repair or |
| to transport the boat. The boat should be covered no | | | | replace the boat either! |
| matter who is operating the boat, as long as they are | | | | No matter how you look at it, you need boat insurance, |
| legally allowed to operate the vessel. | | | | even if you just purchase the watercraft liability |
| Boat insurance will typically cover you in the event of | | | | coverage. Again, most states now require this liability |
| malfunction as well. If something happens to your | | | | coverage for water vessels, and if the boat is |
| motor, it should be covered by your insurance. It should | | | | financed, the optional coverage may be required as |
| also cover you in the event that your boat needs to | | | | well. |
| be towed back to shore. | | | | Discuss your boat insurance coverage needs with |
| What you are covered for depends on what type of | | | | your insurance agent to determine what coverage is |
| coverage you purchased through your insurance | | | | right for you and your boat. |
| agent. For this reason, it is important to know what | | | | CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005. |
| type of coverage is available. Not all insurance | | | | |