Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Do You Have To Have Boat Insurance In Missouri

The Missouri Laws And Regulations On Boats

Do I Need Boat Insurance or is My Boat Covered on Home Insurance?

It is important to identify what the state requires from you as a boat owner. It can be your basis to decide whether you should get boat insurance or not.

Below is a list of the boating laws of Missouri:

  • If your boat is mechanically propelled, then you need to register it. It is also a mandate to paint your boats registration number on the bow.
  • You must complete the registration within 2 months from the date you bought the boat. Otherwise, you will have to pay the fine. The fee depends on the number of months that you failed to register your boat.
  • Renewal of boat registration is every 3 years.
  • If your birthday is after January 1, 1984, then you have to obtain a boater certification card. Otherwise, you cant operate a boat on the lakes of Missouri.
  • You dont need a boater certification card if you operate a boat on streams, rivers, or private waters.
  • You cant operate a boat if youre below 14 years old.
  • You must ensure that you dont exceed the maximum load capacity of your boat.
  • You must provide a personal flotation device for each passenger if your boat is longer than 16 feet.
  • You must ensure that passengers who are below 7 years old are always wearing a flotation device.
  • Make sure to turn on your navigation lights every time youre operating a boat in the dark.
  • The state requires a factory-installed muffler in your motorboat engine.
  • Make sure to follow the speed limit of 30 mph when youre in the dark and on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
  • 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.

    Is Boat Insurance Required In Missouri

    If youre reading this article, youre most likely from Missouri and own a boat or planning to buy a boat and are curious about insurance requirements. So, is boat insurance required in Missouri?

    Boat insurance is not required in Missouri by law. However, you might be required by your bank to get insurance if you are getting a loan to finance a new boat. Even though boat insurance is not required by law in Missouri, it is still a good idea to get insurance for peace of mind in case of an accident.

    Read on to learn more about boat insurance in Missouri and why you might want to get it, even though it is not required by law.

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    Mo Vessels Requiring Title & Registration

    The Missouri DOR requires ALL mechanically propelled vessels to be titled and registered, with the following exemptions:

    • Boats propelled by oars or paddles only.
    • Sailboats or sailboards less than 12 ft in length.
    • Ship lifeboat used only for that purpose.
    • Watercraft registered out-of-state being stored or used in Missouri for less than 60 consecutive days.
    • Vessels owned by foreign governments being used in Missouri for less than 60 consecutive days.
    • U.S. government-owned vessels.

    Still not sure whether your boat requires a title and registration? Call the MO DOR’s vessel titling and registration number at 526-3669.

    Who Else May Require You To Carry Boat Insurance

    Do You Have to Have Insurance on a Boat?

    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 Does Boat Insurance Cost

    According to the Insurance Information Institute, some homeowner insurance policies cover damage on small boats or watercraft with less than 25 mph horsepower.

    Be careful, though, because coverage tends to be low sometimes only $1,000 or 10% of your homes value. Larger watercraft need to carry their own policies.

    For example, Progressive starts their boat insurance at $100 a year depending on the value of the watercraft and additional coverage you need. They also offer discounts including:

    • Safe boater: You have no violations or accidents recorded for the last three years.
    • Pay in full: If you pay the entire year upfront.
    • Original owner: If you have been the only owner on your boat.
    • Homeowner policy: If you own a home, townhome, or condo .
    • Multiple boats: You have more than one watercraft or boat to insure.
    • Safety course: Completed a state-approved boating course.
    • Multiple policyholders: If you insure a car, home, or anything else, you could receive a discount for bundling.

    Some insurers place limitations and restrictions on the type of boats they will cover. Be sure to double check before moving forward with any policy or boat purchase.

    Getting A Boat License In Missouri

    If you want to know how to get a boating license in Missouri, it is important to understand which steps you must take. For example, in order to obtain this credential, you must enroll in a boaters safety course. To do so, you must:

  • Enroll in a course approved by the NASBLA .
  • Go through the course and pass the boat license test.
  • Pay any applicable fees.
  • Receive your card.
  • In order to obtain your card, you must follow the steps outlined by the boating license course of your choice. For example, if you opt for a program offered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, you have a few different options for requesting your card after you complete the course. You can either order the card in person, by mail or online as long as you provide information such as when you completed the course, your personal details and payment for the card.

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    Filing An Accident Report

    You must report accidents that happen in Missouri to the Driver License Bureau if:

    • The accident happened less than one year ago,
    • The accident involved an uninsured motorist, AND
    • The accident caused property damage costing more than $500, or someone was injured or killed.

    NOTE: If the accident did not cause $500 in property damage or personal injury or death, you may still file an accident report if there was an uninsured motorist involved. The bureau will only be able to take action under Section 303.041 .

    You can get a Motor Vehicle Accident Report form from:

    Statutory reference: Section 303.041, RSMo.

    If the Director of Revenue determines that the operator or owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident has not maintained liability insurance, the operator or owner, or both, will be mailed a Notice of Suspension. The notice will include the reason for suspension, effective date of suspension, and the procedure to request a hearing.

    Having To Pay To Remove Your Boat From Public Waters

    DIFP Weekly – Boaters Insurance

    Another costly scenario is having your boat break down out on the water. You could be held responsible for removing your boat from public waters.

    Salvaging a broken down or destroyed a boat and removing it from the water can be very expensive. Fortunately, you can include coverage for salvage and wreck removal on your boat insurance policy.

    Are you interested in learning about our boat insurance policies at Epic Insurance? Give us a call or visit our website to learn more about the insurance products we offer.

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    What If I Already Have Boat Insurance

    Whether your trailer is covered under your boat policy depends on many factors. Insurance coverage varies by state and by individual policy, so its important to check the fine print on your boat insurance.

    Some boat policies extend to the trailer as long as a boat is on the trailer sometimes not. If you want your trailer covered, but its not specifically covered in the policy, youll likely have to pay a little extra to extend your coverage.

    Its All About You We Want To Help You Make The Right Coverage Choices

    Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our insurance industry partnerships dont influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.

    Editorial Guidelines:

    As a boat owner, you may be wondering if youre required to have boat insurance. By law, in most states, you arent required to have boat insurance, but that doesnt mean you dont need it. Utah and Arkansas are the only two states that require proof of boaters insurance.

    Even though most states dont require you to obtain boat insurance, if you plan to dock your boat at a marina or have a loan on the boat, youre usually required to purchase boat insurance.

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    Indiana Boating License Fees

    Getting a boat license or a certification in Indiana does not have a set price that boaters must pay. However, they may expect to pay a fee or around $30 for the boaters safety course, depending on the course provider. Therefore, prior to making a payment, individuals are recommended to contact their course provider and inquire about more information about the price they have to pay.

    What Does Boat Insurance Cover

    Do You Have to Have Insurance on a Boat?

    Your standard homeowners insurance most likely doesnt cover your motorized boat. If you own or purchase small rowboats, kayaks, or canoes these are typically covered by standard homeowners insurance and shouldnt affect your premium. If you have a boat bigger than the previously stated, its smart to obtain boaters insurance in case of an accident.

    Depending on your policy, your boat can be covered for hurricane or tropical storm damage. Passengers and the owner are covered through boat insurance if there is an accident. Passengers on the boat are covered under the liability portion of the boaters policy. However, depending on your policy, this may or may not extend to water skiers and tubers you may have on your boat.

    When you purchase boat insurance, a standard policy will most likely include:

    The amount of compensation you receive for a boat insurance claim depends on a few things, including your deductibles and limits.

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    The Only Approved Interactive Boater Safety Course In Missouri

    This interactive course was developed in accordance with the standards set forth by NASBLA as well as meets the requirements of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division.

    Official course provider approved by:

    Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division 1510 East Elm Street Jefferson City, MO 65102

    Boat Insurance In Missouri Arkansas Iowa & Kansas

    Missouri provides year-round opportunities to enjoy the open water. Between bird watching on Big Lake, smooth sailing in Stockton State Park and camping at Lake Wappapello, we have endless hours of fun at our fingertips. Whether youre taking the family out for a day on the lake, or getting away from it all with a few hours of rest and relaxation, no one can deny Missouri is one of the best places to live and boat. With so many beautiful places to explore throughout the state, its no surprise more and more Missouri residents are becoming boat owners.

    Unfortunately, misfortune can ruin our fun in the sun. Many boating accidents occur each year. From 2015 to 2016, there was a 20 percent increase in statewide crashes. Most of these crashes occurred during Saturdays and Sundays between May and August. Of the 182 crashes in 2016, 117 out of the 222 boaters involved did not have prior boater education. Although yearly crash rates may rise or fall, one fact always floats to the surface: Being involved in a boating accident is never good.

    A boating accident can be defined as a situation in which a person has disappeared, sustained an injury or has died, or a situation in which a vessel causes or sustains damage. Thankfully, there are plenty of simple ways to help prevent a boating accident.

    Whether or not youre at fault for a boating incident, you may wish you had one vital resource protecting you: boating insurance.

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    Obtaining A Temporary Permit

    Upon purchase of a newly acquired boat, vessel, or outboard motor you may purchase a temporary permit to operate the boat, vessel, or outboard motor on Missouriâs waterways.

    • If the unit is not a documented vessel, a temporary permit will be issued for a period of up to 30 days, and must expire prior to the 60th day from the purchase date of the boat, vessel, or outboard motor. If the unit is a documented vessel, a temporary permit will be issued for a period of up to 60 days from the temporary permit issuance date.
    • The applicant may be a Missouri or out-of-state resident.
    • Temporary permits are non-renewable.
    • Temporary permits may not be purchased once application for title and registration has been made.
    • Temporary permits may NOT be purchased for a salvage boat, vessel, or outboard motor.

    To obtain a temporary permit, please bring the following items with you to any Missouri license office:

  • One of the following ownership documents:
    • Temporary Watercraft Certificate of Number – $11.00
    • Temporary Outboard Motor Registration Number – $8.00

    The temporary permit must be carried in the boat or vessel while the unit is in operation.

    Types Of Boat Insurance

    Do I need Boat Insurance?

    Though boat insurance is a general term for insured vessels, you should know there are a variety of insurance policies to meet the unique needs of specific boats, yachts and personal watercraft. Typical coverage many boat owners of all types generally choose includes damage to your boats components and damage to other boats, property or people. Most boat insurance companies in Iowa, Missouri & beyond aim to protect you from these incidents with four types of coverage.

    • Property coverage: If your boat sustains damage on land or in the water, this coverage can help pay for repairs. Also, if someone steals your boat, it will cover replacement costs.
    • Liability coverage: If you cause damage to another persons boat, property or person, liability coverage may help pay for the resulting expenses.
    • Medical payments coverage: If you or your passengers sustain injuries as the result of a boating accident, this coverage may pay for the medical expenses.
    • Uninsured watercraft coverage: If you or your passengers sustain injuries from an uninsured boater, this coverage may cover any medical expenses.

    These coverages may come bundled together, or be available à la carte. Lets look at watercraft coverage options from Safeco, one of our insurance providers. Their standard coverage includes the following.

    Now, lets compare that to whats included in the standard coverage from Progressive, another one of our providers.

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    Help Prevent The Spread Of Non

    • Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
    • Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
    • Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water.
    • Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props.
    • Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.
    • Avoid chopping vegetation with your boats propeller.
    • Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
    • Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
    • Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
    • Refer to specific drying times.

    Do I Need Boat Insurance

    If you are planning on purchasing a powerboat or a sailboat in the coming months, thereâs a good chance that you are looking into boat insurance as well. If this is the case, you likely have some questions about boat insurance companies and whether you need additional coverage. Well, you came to the right place! In this article, you will find answers the top 9 most frequently asked questions about boat insurance.

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