Are Boat Trailers Covered Under Auto Insurance

How Do You Protect Your Trailer So That You Dont Have To Pay For Repairs

Your private passenger auto insurance doesnt pay to repair your trailer, but you can buy a separate plan that will help get comprehensive protection.

A trailer insurance policy is a specialty plan for recreational vehicles that are pulled behind a car. Boat, car, horse, and camping trailers all qualify.

Are There Any Restrictions

It is important to be aware of the details of your coverage. With boat coverage, you may have geographical restrictions. This means that you may only be able to use it in a designated area, or you may be restricted to just using your craft in the ocean or only in inland bodies of water. You need to be aware of this because if something happens outside the areas that you are covered for then you will not be able to use your insurance. When you are transporting your boat on land on a trailer your boat is still protected, but now it falls under your auto insurance policy until it is back in the water or storage.

If Youre Towing A Boat Is Coverage Afforded Under Your Auto Policy

The insuring agreement that you receive when you sign up for a Personal Auto Policy includes very detailed information about what is and what isnt covered. Under this agreement, you will find that there are provisions that extend coverage to more than just the listed or covered autos on your

Under the standard agreement, auto insurance provides coverage when youre pulling a trailer that you own thats designed to be towed by private passenger autos, pickups or vans.

This includes a trailer thats designed to carry a boat that you own. Even though policy provisions and definitions extend coverage to trailers, policies with more than just basic liability coverage have restrictions you should be aware of.

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How Is The Value Of My Boat Determined

Boats, like cars, come in many variations of age, use, and power that give them different values. With boat insurance there are two ways that value can be determined: agreed value and market value. Market value represents the boats current value and agreed value is a value that you and your insurer agree on. Market value is the more common measure for your policy to be based on.

What Coverage Is There For My Trailer

Whether youre moving, road tripping or just need to tow a load, there are a few things to consider when it comes to towing a trailer. Not only do you have to worry about reversing with it, you also need to make sure you have the proper insurance. But, does your personal auto policy include coverage for a trailer or is extra insurance required? And how does this differ if youre buying or renting a trailer? Were here to talk about what coverage exists for your trailer, plus a couple of other trailer topics, so youre ready to hitch up and drive off.

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How Does Auto Insurance Liability Coverage Extend To A Trailer

Trailers arent covered for just every type of loss. Since all insurance policies include at least a minimum amount of liability coverage, its important that you know that your third-party coverage will extend to damage caused by your trailer while its hitched to your car and in transport.

Heres what each coverage pays for:

• Bodily Injury Liability will pay for someone elses medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering and related costs when youre liable for the accident. The same limits that you carry for your BI coverage will extend to the trailer if it jackknifes or if it detaches from your car while its being towed.
• Property Damage Liability will pay for someone elses vehicle repairs and property replacement when you damage or total something that you dont own in an accident. Your Property Damage limit on your declarations page is per occurrence and not per vehicle involved.

Are There Any Legal Requirements To Operate A Boat

A lot of people dont know this, but Pennsylvania requires persons born after 1982 to complete a brief boating safety course to be legal on the water. If you dont complete the course, you can actually get fined.

Taking the course even if you arent legally required to can actually lower your boat insurance premiums.

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Is My Trailer Covered While I’m At Home Or Driving

If you purchase trailer insurance, it should be covered for both. However, there are cases when you might not be covered for driving or while at home if you buy a different type of insurance. For example:

• With car insurance, trailers will generally only be covered while they are attached to the insured car. If it’s parked at home and not attached to the car, it might not be fully insured against theft or other damage.
• Boat trailer insurance, when bought with boat insurance policies, might only cover the trailer while it’s parked or during loading and unloading. You are not necessarily covered while driving on the road.
• CTP car insurance only covers trailers while they’re being towed by an insured vehicle.

Some insurers distinguish on-site insurance from travelling insurance, so it might be worth asking about this when you buy a policy. Generally though, a trailer insurance policy will cover you while it’s at home or on the road.

Does Car Insurance Cover Towing A Boat Trailer

While your car insurance policy won’t cover the boat trailer itself, it may cover damages caused to others while towing your trailer. If you’re involved in an auto accident while towing your boat trailer and it damages another vehicle or injures someone, your car insurance policy’s liability coverage can protect you.

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How Much Does Boat Trailer Insurance Cost

After knowing the types of coverages in the boat trailer insurance, you may be wondering that boat trailer insurance could be expensive ? So, how much does boat trailer insurance cost in general?

Boat trailer insurance will cost $30 on average, but depending on the insurance plan and the coverages taken, it could cost from $15 all the way to $80 or more. And, the boat trailer insurance price primarily depends on the taken coverages.

And it also depends on the type of trailer and the coverages. As a rule of thumb, the boat trailer insurance would be 1.5% 5% of the trailer cost. If the trailer is $1000, then the insurance premium will be from $15 to $50 or more sometimes.

You can simply take roadside assistance for $15 from BoatUS, and roadside assistance coverage pays if anything happens to a towing vehicle. While trailering the boat, if your towing vehicle got any breakdowns, repairs, run out of gas, etc., roadside assistance coverage will cover that.

So, based on the company, sometimes it requires less or more. For example, a progressive insurance company will pay your expenses if your trailer breaks down within 100 miles from home. They will reimburse you up to $500 to cover food, hotel, and other transportation costs.

You dont need to take all those coverages you can take what is necessary for you, which will decrease the insurance premium a lot. So, dont take all coverages, increasing the insurance premium unless you use the boat trailer more often.

Do I Need Special Insurance If I Plan To Hitch A Trailer To My Car Truck Or Suv

Semi-trailer accidents have become a hotbed of controversy and fear for many drivers over the past few years. However, trucks with semis attached arent the only vehicles with trailers on the road, nor are they the only threat.

Personal trailers and cargo haulers can cause just as much damage as semi-trailers, and have the added risk of coming loose more often. Semi-trailers are attached to high-grade hitches installed and maintained by professional trucker drivers. Motor vehicle trailers, on the other hand, are attached to smaller hitches and most often maintained by drivers not as experienced with towing. As a result, personal cargo trailers are more likely to detach from lead vehicles, and the results are often catastrophic.

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How Much Will I Have To Pay If My Boat Trailer Isn’t Covered

Im not sure if insuring my boat trailer is worth it. Whats the risk of not having it? How much would I have to pay?

You could be stuck paying for the entire value of the trailer, or maybe even more if you get into a nasty accident. Your car insurance will probably pay for any liability due to your trailer if you hurt people or property in an accidentbut thats only true up to the limit of your liability insurance.

A limit is what it sounds like: its the limit of what your car insurance will pay out. For liability insurance, the limit is usually pretty high, from $10,000 on the low end up to $50,000 or $100,000. Thats so theres enough to pay for medical bills and other expensive damage.

But if you get into a really nasty accident with your boat trailer, the cost could go much higher. Then youd be stuck paying the money above and beyond your limit out of pocket.

And thats just what youd owe for liability. Car insurance does not cover the cost of repairing or replacing your boat trailer if its stolen or if theres an accident. You need coverage from a boat insurance policy, trailer insurance policy, or from your homeowners or renters insurance for that.

What Else Do I Need To Know Before Towing A Trailer

On top of wanting to have the right insurance, there are a few other things you should keep in mind when picking and using a trailer. These considerations will help ensure everyone stays as safe as possible:

No matter if youre driving with or without a trailer, take the time to make sure you have the coverage you need. Get familiar with your auto policy and dont hesitate to reach out to your insurer if you have questions.

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Do I Need Boat Or Jet Ski Insurance And Other Faqs

The weathers finally heating up after a long and drawn-out winter and most everybody is in the mood to celebrate that fact. If you have a boat, chances are that means youre getting her out of storage and hitting the lake, the bay, or even the ocean. That makes this spring the perfect time to discuss boating, jet ski, and other watercraft insurance.

The most common question we hear from boaters is: Do I need boat or jet ski insurance? While you dont legally need it, you DEFINITELY SHOULD have boat insurance. Were not just saying that because Unruh Insurance is an insurance agency, but because Unruh Insurance is owned by two boaters, Kent and Curt Unruh, both of whom have comprehensive boat insurance.

Kent Unruh keeps his boat at Raystown Lake, while Curt Unruh prefers taking his boat out on the Indian River every spring and summer. This makes Unruh Insurance double-qualified to answer all of your boat insurance questions.

Find out why you need boat or jet ski insurance as well as get the answers to your boat insurance FAQs.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Towing A Boat

If youre a boat owner and want to head out to the water for the weekend, you may be asking if boat trailers are covered under auto insurance. The boat itself will not be covered .

However, if youre in an accident while towing your boat, the damages to your vehicle and the vehicles of anyone else involved will likely be covered by the appropriate collision coverage in a typical auto insurance policy.

If you feel you need protection specifically for your boat, you can speak to a licensed insurance agent about a boat policy.

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How Much Will It Cost To Repair The Damage Out Of Pocket

This largely depends on the damage. Was it the boat, the trailer, the car or all of it? Repair costs can range from a few hundred dollars up to the value of your car, trailer and boat combined.

For example, say you get in a fender bender while towing your boat. Since theres no fender, your boat or trailer might take the damage instead of your car. Some scratched paint or a bent frame might run several hundred dollars to repair, but any real damage to your boat could run into the thousands to fix.

Is My Trailer Covered Under My Car Insurance Policy

Its that time of year where we get out and enjoy the outdoors. Whether your thing is camping, heading to the cottage, or just hitting the open road to where ever it takes you often times a trailer may be a part of that plan. When it comes to insurance, there are some things you should know in order to make sure youre protected, like trailer insurance.

If your trailer is hitched or not makes a difference, too.

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What Is A Personal Auto Policy

A personal auto policy is the auto insurance coverage you are typically required to carry to meet the minimum insurance coverage standards set by the state in which you reside. This can include liability, personal injury protection , medical payments , and uninsured/underinsured motorists , but the exact laws vary by state.

The state requirements are typically referred to as minimum liability auto insurance coverage and as we already noted, are necessary in order to legally drive. Watch this video to learn more about liability coverage.

The Insurance Information Institute provides an overview of the coverage requirements by state, which weve summarized below so you can find the minimum requirements in your state.

Minimum Auto Insurance Liability Coverage Requirements by State

Now that weve covered the PAP basics, well look at the kinds of vehicles typically covered under a PAP and when and how a trailer is covered.

Is My Boat Trailer Covered Under My Insurance

Under a standard home policy, there can be some coverage already included for your boat for personal use only. This also includes the boats furnishings, accessories and equipment. Take a look through your home policy to see if you have coverage for your boat and what exclusions and limits apply you may need to add extra coverage to your policy to ensure your boat and all its accessories are properly insured.

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How Will Liability Coverage Protect You When Towing An Owned Trailer

Not only are there risks when towing a trailer, the average damage caused in an accident with a hitched trailer is higher than the average damage reported in the standard accident.

This is why it is important to understand how your liability insurance works.

The likelihood of having an accident is much higher when you are towing a trailer.

Liability coverage consists of both Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. Bodily Injury, which will be written on your declarations page as BI, will pay for the expenses to treat third-party injuries and to pay for other final expenses if a person dies.

The policy will only pay up to the per person and the per accident limits stated on the contract.

Property Damage pays to repair property that is damaged when you do not own it. The limits apply to all of the property damaged in the accident and not to each vehicle.

Is There Coverage When The Boat Is In The Water

You have liability coverage while your boat is in transit, but auto insurance doesnt protect you when youre liable for injuries caused by navigating your boat in the water. Youll need boat insurance with separate personal liability limits for liability protection as you enjoy the lake or the sea. It might even be wise to purchase a Personal Umbrella Policy so that you have blanket liability protection.

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Can My Trailer Be Covered By My Auto Or Homeowners Policy

Your boat trailer may have some coverage under your auto policy or homeowners policy. However, that coverage may not be adequate to protect your investment in your trailer under all circumstances.

Some auto policies will cover the trailer, provided the trailer is attached to an insured vehicle. Homeowners insurance can usually cover a trailer provided it is stored at the home.

Since coverage on a home and on a vehicle is different, you may have gaps in coverage for your trailer if you rely on either policy in the event of a loss.

Check the fine print and talk with a local agent to see if your trailer is covered and how much a boat trailer insurance policy will cost.

Common Trailer Types Include:

• Conventional Trailer: The most common type of travel trailer between 12-40 feet.
• Fifth Wheel Trailer: Attached to a vehicle using a hitch in the bed of the tow vehicle.
• Pop-up Tent Trailer: Collapsible trailer used for camping & recreation.
• Truck Camper: Mounted in the bed of the truck with an over-cab area for sleeping.
• Horse Trailer: Trailer used primarily to haul horses.
• Toy Hauler: An RV type trailer with living space as well as the ability to haul ATVs or Motorcycles.
• Cargo or Utility Trailers: Small trailers used for moving or landscape jobs odd jobs.

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What Types Of Trailers Are Protected

There are several types of trailers that you can purchase for personal use.

Some trailers are going to be able to be covered, and others are not. It is important to distinguish between the covered recreational vehicles and the options that require their own policy altogether. For example, homemade trailers may not fit the bill, but factory crafted recreational trailers might. Its always best to check before jumping to conclusions on whats covered in your auto policy.

Here is a breakdown of the types of recreational trailers that you can buy that will be partially covered under your car insurance:

• Flatbed Trailers

Trailers that are designed to haul various types of cargo are called flatbed trailers. Smaller models can be towed with your own personal Class C license. These are covered by liability insurance when the trailer is registered in your name.

• Pop-up Trailer

The pop-up trailer is an inexpensive recreational vehicle that folds for convenience and easy towing. Since the trailer is relatively small, a pop-up trailer can be towed by a mid-sized vehicle or SUV.

• Fifth Wheel Trailer

A fifth wheel trailer offers living space and a bi-level floor plan. There will be a bedroom area, a separate living area, a dining area, and a bathroom.

The fifth wheel has all of the amenities that are found in a motorhome without the motor. You can choose models in lengths between 21 feet and 45 feet.

• Travel Trailer