Do I Need Boat Insurance In Pa

What’s Included In A Standard Progressive Pennsylvania Boat Insurance Policy

Bodily injury and property damage liability coverage may help pay for injuries you cause to other people and damage to their property. Bodily injury liability covers injuries you’re at fault for, such as if someone is hurt while on your boat or if you cause an injury while operating your vessel. Property damage liability pays for damages you cause to another person’s property, such as a boat or dock. As with any liability coverage, choose a coverage limit that best protects you and your assets. If you need more than a $500,000 liability limit, an umbrella policy can offer extra protection, typically up to $5 million.

Wreckage removal helps pay for the costs of removing the wreckage of your boat after it sinks if legally required.

Fuel spill coverage protects against the legally required costs of cleaning up a fuel spill.

Watersport coverage helps pay for injuries that others suffer while participating in water sports like skiing and wakeboarding.

Understanding Boat Insurance In Reading Pa

With over 330,000 registered boats, Pennsylvania is a favorite destination for boaters. Featuring several water bodies for carrying out boating activities, PA State provides limitless fun for water lovers. But as they say, you need to pay to play. Besides putting money in your boat investment, you need boat insurance to protect you and your boat while in the water. To that end, here is a rundown about boat insurance by Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA, to help you understand this coverage in detail.

Is boat insurance mandatory in Pennsylvania?

Like most states, the Keystone State doesnt require boat insurance. However, if your boat is financed through a loan, your lender might require you to buy boat insurance all year though. But compliance isnt the only motivator for you to buy boat insurance. Boat insurance helps lessen your financial burden when the unthinkable occurs.

Do I need boat insurance if I have home insurance?

While you may have home insurance, it not only provides limited coverage to your boat, but it doesnt cover your liabilities and boat-specific damages. Home insurance may only come in handy if you have a tiny boat that you are not using outside your home precincts.

What are the boat insurance add-ons to consider?

Ultimately, here are boat insurance add-ons that you must include in your boat insurance, regardless of your boat size and lifestyle.

What Boat Insurance Policies Cover

How and where you boat determines the type of coverage you need. An “all risk” policy will offer the best protection. However, an all risk policy does not cover every type of loss. In insurance terms all risk just means that any risk not specifically omitted in the policy is covered. Typical exclusions include wear and tear, marring, denting, animal damage, manufacturers defects, design defects, ice and freezing.

You may also be able to add extra coverage. Available options may include: medical payments, personal effects, uninsured boaters liability, and towing and assistance. Most policies will cover permanently attached equipment, as well as items like anchors, oars, trolling motors, tools, seat cushions, and life jackets. Be sure to discuss these options with your agent.

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Nationwide: Best For Policy Bundling

• Multi-policy discount for those who bundle boat insurance and at least one other policy with Nationwide

• Boat insurance packages to help customers save money

• Not all coverages and discounts available in all states

• Cant manage boat policy on the mobile app

Nationwide offers lots of options for boat insurance coverage, including:

• Bodily injury and property damage liability
• Collision coverage
• On-water boat towing and labor
• Fishing equipment insurance
• Personal effects insurance

Furthermore, there may be additional savings on your boat insurance when you select one of Nationwides boat insurance packages. The company offers a wide range of packages for different types of boaters, such as:

• Weekenders For those who simply take gear onto their boat and remove it when theyre done, Nationwide offers an affordable package that includes up to $1,000 for fishing equipment, $3,000 for personal effects, and $500 for towing.
• Overnighters For those who take short boating trips, Nationwide offers up to $2,500 for fishing equipment, $5,000 for personal effects, and $2,500 for towing.
• Light Tackle Anglers For customers who own a bass boat or smaller fishing boat, Nationwide offers up to $5,000 for fishing equipment, $2,000 for personal effects, and $2,500 for towing.
• Deep Water Pros For those who fish big waters, gulfs, bays, and oceans, Nationwide offers up to $10,000 for fishing equipment, $5,000 for personal effects, and $2,500 for towing.

Discounts

Do I Need A Boat Insurance In Pennsylvania

So do you need insurance for your boat in Pennsylvania? Insurance attorneys Greg Fellerman and Ed Ciarimboli answer this pressing question.

Dave Kuharchik: Thanks for joining us on The Law & You on Memorial Day. We have a question that plays into the theme of the day today.

Ed Ciarimboli: It does.

Dave: Attorneys Greg Fellerman and Ed Ciarimboli, thanks for coming in.

Ed: I think I may know who has sent this question in.

Dave: Well lets get to it and its appropriate for Memorial Day. Greg from Harveys Lake wants to know, Do I need to have insurance on my boat in Pennsylvania? And Im surprised that Greg is asking this because hes got a giant luxury yacht. It takes up so much space on the lake. I think they would get it insured.

Ed: You know hes out there, on his boat, hes got a captains hat on.

Dave: Hes wearing muscle shirts.

Ed: Come on, tell them.

Greg Fellerman: Yes, you need insurance for your boat. I have it. If you have a jet ski, you need it too. So yes, you need coverage. Its similar to a car. You need to get to the insurance place, and protect you, your riders, other people. So yes, you need to get insurance. Ill be riding around today if the weathers good.

Dave: If youre wondering the guy in the giant boat taking out the whole.

Ed: Thats it. Hes the guy.

Dave: But in the case of a holiday weekend like this, there may be some people watching that they run into an issue. You guys are there, they can reach out to you. How can they do that?

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Boat/watercraft Insurance In Pennsylvania

Your boat is one of your most significant investments in West Chester, PA. You worked hard and saved to purchase the vessel. Wouldnât it be a sad story of all of your efforts in acquiring your boat was washed away with one incident? It only takes the unexpected to occur one time for you to lose everything and have to start from square one.

The good news is that there is a way to be prepared for the unexpected so that you do not have to begin saving again for a new boat if your old vessel is destroyed. You can purchase boat insurance in Pennsylvania through Griffith Insurance LLP that pays for damages and the cost to replace your watercraft when tragedy strikes.

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.

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How Much Boat Insurance Do I Need For A Non

In some cases, a non-motorized boat could be covered under your homeowners policy, but only a review of your existing insurance policy will reveal the policy limits. Make sure you know these limits before an accident happens. The limits are typically low, and it is smart to find out if you need added coverage based on the value of your watercraft. A kayak, small sailboat, RIB, or canoe may have a value far higher than the typical $1,500 limit in a standard homeowners policy.

What Is The Best Type Of Boat Insurance

The best type of boat insurance is insurance coverage that adequately meets your legal and contractual obligations and allows you to feel comfortable about your exposure to risk. Because each individual situation is different, it is important that you determine what coverage factors matter most to you and your family. Spend time researching your options and speak with multiple insurance brokers or agencies. Allthingsboat.com has an excellent review of boat insurance providers.

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What Types Of Insurance Can I Get For My Boat

Just like auto insurance, boat insurance can be customized to fit your specific needs and budget). The size, type, age and value of your boat even where the boat is used can determine the coverage thats best for your vessel.

In general, most boat policies are designed to cover:

• Bodily injuries sustained by you or someone else, resulting from the boat
• Property damage to your boat for example, theft or vandalism
• Property damage by your boat for example, damage to another boat if your boat causes an accident

Boat owners can choose a variety of coverages to protect boats, passengers and even permanently attached boating equipment. With ERIE, youll have a local, independent insurance agent to help you understand your options and feel good about how youre protecting your investment.

Why Do You Need Insurance For Your Boat Or Personal Watercraft

Youll enjoy the water ever more when youre not worried about the safety of yourself, your passengers or your investment. Here are a few things to consider:

• If youre in an accident or your watercraft is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If your watercraft is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than youre worth.
• Your watercraft also needs protection when its on land. Accidents can happen while towing a watercraft.

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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.

What Does Boat Insurance Not Cover

Boat insurance generally wont cover maintenance or general wear and tear, including gradual weathering and deterioration, insect damage, mold, or damage from animals or marine life.

Pro Tip:

With Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing, Progressive will pay for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery if your boat is disabled on the water. or contact our dispatch center by calling , and well make sure the tow operator is completely paid for and on their way to help.

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Do You Need Insurance For A Utility Trailer In Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates insurance companies conducting business within the commonwealth. Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to purchase insurance before they can legally use the state’s roads. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is responsible for ensuring proper vehicle insurance coverage. Failure to obtain proper vehicle coverage carries stiff civil penalties, including minimum $300 fines, vehicle registration suspension, vehicle impoundment and vehicle license suspension. The Department of Transportation does not require drivers to maintain separate insurance for their utility trailers.

Under Pennsylvania law, all drivers must purchase medical coverage of at least $5,000, property damage liability of at least $5,000, bodily injury liability coverage of at least $15,000 and $30,000, depending on the number of insured drivers and limited or full tort coverage.

Video of the Day

If the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation finds that a driver did not maintain adequate insurance, it can suspend his license for three months, assess at least a $300 penalty, revoke his registration for three months and impound his vehicle. Drivers must pay restoration of registration fees and provide proof of adequate insurance to request a return of their licenses.

What Types Of Watercraft Are Covered By Boat Insurance

All boats aren’t the same. You need to customize your boat insurance to meet your needs and provide your watercraft with the proper coverage. Here is a list of the most common types of watercrafts.

• Pontoon boats are one of the most popular inland water boats. They are a flattish boat that relies on floats to remain buoyant. Their wide and spacious area is great for many passengers to enjoy the ride.
• Personal watercraft are powered by a water jet pump and the rider generally sits, stands, or kneels on it. There are many types of PWCs which include WaveRunners, Sea-Doos and more.
• Fishing and bass boats are designed and equipped for fishing. Most are powered by an outboard motor and are equipped with power poles, trolling motors, etc.
• Powerboats are the most popular type of boat used for cruising, watersports, and so much more.
• Sailboats are propelled partly or entirely by sails.

If you don’t see your watercraft listed and are looking for more information on different types of boats, check out our boat FAQ page.

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Kinds Of Boat Insurance Policies

• Boat
• Boat & PWC Rental – Although this is generally not required, rental insurance will help cover any damage the vessel, as well as the operator and passengers.
• Boat Clubs – covers all members of club while operating a boat.
• Professional – These policies are very customizable and can cover items like travel to a tournament, equipment and more.

How Much Boat Insurance Do I Need

Beyond any state legislation or binding agreements with your lender or marina, the answer to this question may come down to your individual tolerance for risk. As discussed in earlier questions, some states do have minimum requirements for liability insurance coverage. Check with your state government to see whether you are required to meet a coverage threshold. The amount of boat insurance you may need depends on a number of factors, including the boatâs value, motor size, and age. Like other vehicles, high-performance boats will likely command a higher level of coverage to compensate for the amount of damage they are able to inflict.

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Best Boat Insurance Of 2021

• Rates starting at around $21 per month

• Great coverage including many extras

• Limited info on restrictions and exclusions to coverage

Coverage

Allstate offers a very comprehensive lineup of options for boat coverage, including:

• Watercraft liability coverage
• Agreed value

Discounts

Even though Allstate offers boat coverage starting at about $21 per month, it doesnt shy away from discounts. You may qualify for the following when you insure your boat with Allstate:

• Multiple Policy Discount Up to 20% off when you combine your boat insurance with an Allstate homeowners policy
• Full-Pay Discount 10% off for paying your full premium upfront
• Homeownership Discount 10% off for owning a home
• Boat Education Discount 5% off when you take an approved boater safety class
• Easy Pay Plan Discount 5% off when you enroll in automatic payments

Limitations

Unlike other insurance companies, Allstate places very few limitations on its boat coverage. However, some types of coverage and discounts are not to be had in all states, so its best to contact a local Allstate agent to verify the availability of coverage and discounts before switching over to Allstate for your boat insurance.

Additional Perks

Allstate offers the best of both worlds to its customers: local agents to help you with your insurance needs, as well as online tools and an 800 number to get questions answered anytime.

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How Insurance Can Help Protect You And Your Boat

The type of insurance coverage that you need will depend on a number of factors, such as the size, type, age and value of the boat.

You may have boat insurance coverage available through a homeowners insurance policy or you may need to buy a separate policy. A separate boat policy could provide you with additional liability coverage, broader coverage overall and higher limits for watercraft liability. Liability coverage can help pay for damages to someones boat, dock or other property.

Ask a trusted advisor like an Erie Insurance agent which type of policy is best for you. As with any insurance policy, its a good idea to talk with your agent about the policy details and coverage limits to be sure you have the protection that you need.

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