If You Have A Boat Loan That Uses The Boat As Collateral Then The Bank Will Almost Certainly Require Boat Insurance Coverage
Do i need boat insurance in michigan. Even if you don’t technically need boat insurance, it’s still good to have, as it can help pay for damages to your boat, as well as any damages or injuries you cause to others. The boat’s most current registration. Is boat trailer insurance required, and do i really need it?
Here are a few things to consider: The need for boat insurance is predicated by these frequencies, especially given the fact that open motor boats account for 47% of these accidents. Canadian waters may be included, or covered at an additional cost.
However, you may have other insurance policies covering the contents of your trailer or the items you were hauling. However, many marinas do require some form of insurance if you wish to use a slip or mooring. However, if your trailer only has two wheels, then, no, you wont need insurance for a trailer in michigan.
If your trailer has more than two wheels, then, yes, you will need to have insurance for a trailer for in michigan. Average cost of boat insurance current estimates have reckoned the national average is around $300 to $500 per yearly premium. Is it mandatory to have insurance on a boat?
Additionally, your bank will require insurance if you are financing the purchase of a boat. It covers most watercrafts with motors, including fishing boats, pontoon boats, paddle boats, leisure crafts and yachts. July 2, 2019 by steven m.
Come join us on some beautiful kayaking tours in the UP
Boat Insurance Benefit Caps
Michigan boat insurance doesn’t act like no-fault auto insurance. If you are injured in a boating accident, the insurance company is only required to pay up to a specific benefit cap. You choose the cap when you choose your policy. How much insurance you need will depend on the value of the vessel, the number of people it can hold, and how much you can afford to pay out of pocket in case of a crash. Take a close look at your finances, and your savings, before choosing a low boat insurance benefit cap.
Who Else May Require You To Carry Boat Insurance
If you intend to finance the purchase of a boat, your bank will require you to provide proof of insurance for the watercraft. Typically, the policy will need to cover the full value of the boat, and your bank may set minimum requirements for specific types of coverage. In addition, you will need to list the bank as a lienholder on the policy so that it will be included as a co-payee on any compensation in the event of a loss payment.
Most ports and marinas will require you to carry boat insurance in order to use their facilities.
For example, if you want to moor your boat at Port of Bellingham in Washington, you must carry a policy with at least $300,000 in general, legal and pollution liability with a policy term of no less than one year. As another example, the Hawaii Division of Boats and Ocean Recreation requires all vessels moored at its facilities to carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance.
Some marinas, such as the Hawaii Division of Boats and Ocean Recreation, may even require that the marina itself be listed as an “additional insured” or “additional interest” on the policy. You’ll normally need to provide proof of insurance before you can sign a contract for a slip or mooring.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Register My Boat In Colorado
Boat Insurance Requirements By State
Generally speaking, you won’t be required by your state to purchase boat insurance. In fact, only a handful of states require boaters to purchase insurance, and the requirement is often limited to boats with engines rated to have at least 50 horsepower. The table below lists the insurance requirements for each state.
| State | |
|---|---|
| No | |
| Arkansas | Liability insurance with at least $50,000 in coverage is required for all boats powered by engines of more than 50 horsepower. |
| California | |
| No | |
| Hawaii | Only for boats parked in Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation facilities. Liability insurance with at least $500,000 in coverage is required for all boats parked in DOBOR facilities, including harbors and offshore moorings. The insurance policy must name the State of Hawaii, DOBOR as the “additional insured” or “additional interest”. The policy should cover salvage costs for grounded or sunken vessels, damage to docks, pollution containment and wreck removals. |
What About During Transport
If you are regularly traveling to lake destinations, and your boat or jet-ski are small enough for a trailer, you need to make sure youre covered in the case of an accident. Chances are youll be covered by your auto insurance, but make sure and call us before you tow. Obviously, if you already have one of our home/car/boat umbrella policies, youll be fine. The same goes for damage that might occur when the watercraft is parked on your property.
Don’t Miss: Freedom Boat Club Rates
How Does Boat Insurance Work
Boat insurance works the same way as car insurance does. If you damage your boat or cause injuries or damages to someone else, you file a claim with your insurer asking them to pay for the damages. If the incident is covered, your insurer pays for the losses or injuries up to your coverage limits.
Important note: One of the biggest myths about boat insurance is that you dont need it because you’re adequately covered under your home insurance policy. While your home’s policy may provide some protection for a smaller boat while it’s on your property, it won’t offer the coverage you need on the water especially if you’re operating a powerboat.
What Is Your Boat Worth
There are two main types of boat insurance: agreed value and market value . With an agreed value policy, the value of the boat is agreed upon when you sign the policy. After that, if the boat is damaged enough to become a total loss, you get the full agreed-upon value.
With a market value policy, the insurer takes your boats depreciation into account. If the boat is totaled a few years after you buy it, you cant expect to get back what you paid for it. And while market value policies offer less coverage, they tend to be less expensive.
We recommend starting with an agreed value policy when the boat is new or nearly new. But as the boat ages and the depreciation slows, then a market value policy might make more sense.
Recommended Reading: Freedom Boat Club Specials
Types Of Boat Insurance Coverage
Boat insurance coverage defines the type of protection it offers you. Boat Insurance Sterling Heights policies are typically divided into four categories: liability, medical payments or personal injury protection , comprehensive, and collision coverage. Liability boat insurance covers the damages your vessel may cause to someone elses property if an accident occurs on open water. It also protects you if youre sued for injuries that happen to other people while onboard your boat or when boarding/disembarking from it.
Envision Insurance Agency38221 Mound Rd Building G, Sterling Heights, MI 48310248-509-4883
Compare & Shop Around For Boat Insurance
Its only the beginning of the summer season, but its not too early to think about your coverage in the off-season. Let Compass Insurance Agency compare boat insurance rates for you and help you find the best coverage at an affordable rate.
Well explain your policy, making sure you understand your coverage. Compass will also make sure you have the right insurance coverage in the off-season without overpaying.
to speak to one of our local Michigan licensed agents and see what we can do for your boating needs.
Read Also: What Is My Pontoon Boat Worth
Michigan Boat Insurance Requirements
Owning a boat is very expensive. You have the fuel, the maintenance, the insurance, the storage, and everything else thats involved in owning a boat. Chances are you also financed the boat instead of paying cash. As a result, most lenders require you to carry insurance year-round, as theyre also investors. Just as you want to make sure youre protected while your boat is in use, lenders want to be protected when its not. Do you store your boat at a marina? They may also require you to have boat insurance.
Is It Mandatory To Have Insurance On A Boat
If youre wondering, Do you have to have insurance on a boat?, the simple answer is no. The majority of states do not require you to carry boat insurance. You may assume that you need it in cities surrounded by water. However, only a few states require proof of insurance.
The chart below lists each state and their boat insurance requirements.
Yes, just Arkansas, Hawaii, and Utah require you to have a boat insurance policy. But what about a license?
You May Like: What Is My Pontoon Boat Worth
Which States Require A Boat License
According to the United States Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the second most common boating accident is due to inexperience. This has led to 480 boating accidents in 2016 alone.
Boating is far less regulated than operating a motor vehicle such as a car. Only a handful of states require you to have an actual boating license, including:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Mississippi
However, even though most states dont require a license, they may still have other requirements.
Brad Goldberry, Agency Producer with Farmers Insurance says, State licensing differs from state to state, but many states require some kind of personal boating license or course.
Before you head out on the water, make sure you review your states requirements. Its always better to be safe than sorry.
Do I Need Boat Insurance Year Round
Jun 8, 2018 | Auto Insurance, Boat Insurance, Insurance Savings
You only enjoy your boat when the weather is right. So, you should only have insurance coverage during those months, right? Wrong!
Most people cancel their boat insurance at the end of each summer to try and save money. However, it may end up costing Michigan boat owners more in the long run.
Before you cancel your boat coverage at the end of this season, read on to find out why you should have boat insurance year-round.
Also Check: Who Owns Freedom Boat Club
Liability Coverage For Boat Insurance: Why It Matters
Boat insurance can be purchased to cover physical damage and protect against liability. Liability coverage can be critical in cases of bodily injury or loss of life. If you are sued by another party claiming you are responsible for an injury or death, the cost of defending against the claim can be paid through your policy.
If you do not have sufficient liability coverage in place, you can lose your personal assets, including retirement funds, investment funds, or the value of your property. You have worked to accrue assets that could be lost in a lawsuit, and liability coverage for a non-motorized boat provides an essential form of protection.
Is Insurance Required On A Travel Trailer In Michigan
As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, whether a trailer has only two wheels or more than two wheels will determine whether travel trailer insurance is required under Michigans No-Fault law.
It doesnt matter whether its called a travel trailer, a camping trailer or a trailer coach.
Specifically, if a trailer has more than 2 wheels, then it will be deemed a motor vehicle under Michigans No-Fault law and, thus, the law will require that a valid trailer insurance policy be obtained. 500.3101)
On the other hand, if the travel trailer has only two wheels, then it is not a motor vehicle under No-Fault and a travel trailer insurance policy will not be required.
As you will see below, a trailers status as a motor vehicle under No-Fault also plays an important role in fixing damage after a car accident.
Don’t Miss: How Much Do Boat Mechanics Make In Florida
Boat & Watercraft Insurance
NuStar Insurance Agency can help make your time on the water relaxed and worry-free. We will find you comprehensive protection that protects you, your friends and family, your watercraft and your boating equipment. The average boat costs less than a dollar a day to insure. Youâll enjoy being on the water even more when you arenât worried about your safety, the safety of your passengers, or your investment.
Do you know what to look for in a Michigan watercraft insurance policy? NuStar Insurance Agency can help you determine the right amount of coverage to meet your specific needs. Just contact us today to get started.
Here are some items youâll need to consider when shopping for Michigan boat insurance.
Every need is unique â contact us today to find out how to get the best boat insurance coverage for you.
What Boaters Should Know About Boat Insurance This Summer
It is getting warmer and summer is just around the corner. For thousands of Michigan residents it is time to hitch up the boat and head up north. But before you hit the water, make sure to take a look at your boat insurance. Find out what you should know before a boating accident happens this summer.
You May Like: Mildew Off Boat Seats
What States Require Boat Insurance
As of right now, only two states have boat insurance lawsâArkansas and Utah. In Arkansas, all motorboats powered by engines of more than 50 horsepower, and all PWC, must be covered by a liability insurance policy. The policy must provide at least $50,000 of liability coverage, and it is illegal to operate the PWC without the required insurance.
In Utah, all motorboats and PWC are required to carry ownerâs or operatorâs liability insurance when operated on Utah waters. Motorboats equipped with engines less than 50 horsepower and airboats are exempt. It is illegal to operate a PWC on Utah waters without the required insurance.
Utahâs boat insurance policy requires the following minimum coverage limits per occurrence:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $50,000 for total bodily injury if multiple people are hurt in the accident.
- $15,000 for property damage.
There are some instances of states requiring insurance for boats used in some state parks or kept in some state-operated marinasâcheck with your state marine board or alternative governing agency to see if you are impacted.
Watercraft And Recreational Vehicle Requirements
This page contains title and registration requirements for mopeds, recreational vehicles, off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and watercraft and information about use of Michigan waterways by owners of watercraft registered in another state.
Mopeds
Moped are not titled but must be registered. Three-year sticker expires on April 30. Mopeds may be operated on streets drivers must be at least 15 years old and licensed. Moped must be registered as an ORV if used off-road. Registration must be renewed upon transfer of ownership. Helmet use required if under age 19. See registration fees.
Off-Road Vehicles
Also known as off-highway vehicles, this classification includes off-road motorcycles, three-, four-, and multi-wheeled all-terrain-vehicles , air and tracked ATVs, and off-road utility vehicles. All ORVs must be titled. Any on-road vehicle may be registered as an ORV. Dual registration is permitted. One-year ORV license is issued by the Department of Natural Resources expires March 31. Fee– $16.25. If used exclusively on private property, an ORV may not require an ORV license.
Recreational Vehicles
All trailer coaches, travel trailers, 5th-wheel trailers, pop-up campers, and all trailers over 2,500 lbs. must be titled and registered. Pickup camper units are titled only. Title Fee – $15.00. Registration Fee – Based on empty weight.
Snowmobiles
Watercraft
Part-time and non-residents
Read Also: Does Minnesota Require Boat Insurance
Why Buy An All Risk Policy
All Risk policies for boat owners are basically a policy covering everything unless specifically excluded by the language of the policy. A named-perils policy, on the other hand, covers only what is specifically provided for by the policy language. We can help you price out both, but in many cases, we recommend all-risk.
How Do I Pay For Damage To The Toys Im Hauling On My Trailer If It Gets Rear
Unfortunately, the mini tort only applies to motor vehicles and, thus, cannot help with paying to fix toys that were damaged when a trailer is rear-ended on the freeway.
Those fixes would have to be covered by insurance policies taken out on the specific items.
I recommend to everyone that they insure their trailers and the contents separately an individual policy for each item, i.e., jet ski insurance, boat insurance, motorcycle insurance and, even trailer insurance. Then, if any of the items are damaged as a result of a crash, the owner seeks coverage for repairs or replacement through that insurance company.
Don’t Miss: Is Banana Boat Sunscreen Good
Extended Storage And Surprise Weekends
There is one advantage to living in Michigans sometimes frigid climate. If the winter weather is making boating for you impossible, you can get reduced premiums for your agreed-upon months of non-use. But be careful, sometimes our crazy Michigan weather offers warm surprises in non-boating months and you may be inspired to take the boat out on an unusually non-spring or fall-like weekend. But before you do that, call us and make sure youre covered.
Why Is Boating Insurance Recommended
Boating insurance is recommended for two main reasons, both of which can save you thousands of dollars.
Recommended Reading: Best Sunscreen For Boaters
