Boat
Insurance: Why You Need It And How To Get It
Every year,
thousands of boating accidents happen in the United States. Out of
this, 60 percent results in some kind of injury. Aside from
accidents, boats also get stolen. This is why it is very important
to get boat insurance. With all the dangers, it would be crazy not
to get boat insurance.
Here are a few
useful tips when shopping for boat insurance.
1. You should
look for an insurance company that is responsive & always available.
It is very critical that your company responds when you really need
assistance. Help should always be close by when an accident happens,
when you need claims or emergency service.
2. You should
look for an insurance company with good customer service. It is
advisable to choose a company with a large network of agencies,
claim centers, and helpful employees that are ready to serve you
whenever you need them. In such a case, you can be sure that you
will be treated fairly and promptly.
3. Choose an
insurance company that is financially stable. Ideally, one with a
long history of service to boat owners. Companies with a rich
history are generally more stable than new ones. A good way to check
the financial stability of an insurance company is to do some
research. Check out the financial ratings of A.M. Best and Standard
& Poor’s for insurance companies.
4. Get boat
insurance from a company with a good reputation and high standards.
5. Choose an
insurance company with a wide variety of coverage options. This is
very important because your needs as a boat owner are very unique.
The company’s menu of products should accommodate a circle of
protection for your needs both today and tomorrow.
6. Boat
insurances come in different prices ranging from the affordable to
the ridiculously expensive. It is important to understand the policy
and service promises behind the price of the boat insurance It’s
better to pay for an expensive but good quality boat insurance than
a cheap one with limited features. It is not advisable to accept low
protection just to get a lower price. Make sure that you get the
protection you and your boat require.
7. Consider
the type of boat you own before getting boat insurance. Do you own a
motorboat, a personal watercraft (PWC), a boat without a motor
(canoe, kayak or rowboat)? Consider also circumstances in which you
plan to use the boat insurance.
8. Though boat
insurance is designed to protect your boat, it is also advisable to
take note of the other coverage options available. An important boat
insurance option is the medical payment coverage which can offer
medical protection for you and your passengers. You can never be so
sure of your and your passengers’ safety when your out at sea.
9. Another
option to consider is water liability coverage. There may be
instances when you will accidentally injure a person while on the
water, a passenger, a swimmer or a water skier perhaps. This is
where water liability coverage comes in handy. This type of coverage
also protects you if you collide with and damage another boat or if
you hit a rock.
10. The most
important option is the physical damage coverage. This coverage will
come in very handy if you hit another boat, a submerged object or a
dock and damaged your boat’s motor. The physical damage coverage
usually has two components:
a. Emergency
services protection. This type of coverage provides protection of up
to $100. It covers towing and mechanical labor if ever your boat
breaks down while you’re in the water. Also available is an extra
emergency services as an optional coverage for an additional
premium.
b. Physical
damage protection for valuable boat equipment. This type of coverage
protects your valuable boat equipments such as boat covers, docking
fenders, portable gas tanks, life jackets, anchors and anchor lines,
sonar equipment, water skis, cushions, and your boat engine, compass
and gear. Also available is an extra boat protection at an added
premium. There is also on the road protection for your boat, trailer
and equipment. This also covers protection if ever your boat, motor
or trailer is stolen.
An additional
way to keep the cost of the boat insurance policy is to not grossly
underestimate the worth of your both. Appraise the boat for what
it’s worth. No more, no less. You can also get boat insurance policy
if you take a boating lesson so better asks around.
By Shannon
Brown (Boatinginsurancecenter.com)
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