Licensing And Boat Operating Requirements
While an exhaustive breakdown of the laws pertaining to boating with small vessels like Jon boats is beyond the scope of this article, we have pulled together key information and links that should help you determine if a license is required for a Jon boat in your State.
The owners age and level of boat safety education, as well as the power and length of the boat, may determine your need for a license.
Licensing requirements for boats are almost always unique to each State but some key themes are recurring and should be expected to exist in your States boating laws.
The following are boat operating requirements that exist across the USA and will be active in most US States:
- Age. Many states will require a boating license depending on the year you were born with emphasis placed on those under 18 years of age.
- Completion of boat safety education and training. States often will require evidence of a certain number of hours of training on the water or completion of a standardized boating safety course.
- Boat power. Training for handling powerboats may also be mandated.
- Boat length. Requirements will differ from State to State but it is common for larger Jon boats to be more subject to license requirements than smaller ones.
Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance Quotes In Your Area
Most states don’t require boaters to purchase insurance for their watercraft. However, many marinas do require some form of insurance if you wish to use a slip or mooring. Additionally, your bank will require insurance if you are financing the purchase of a boat. Even if these requirements don’t apply in your situation, it’s still generally a good idea to get boat insurance.
Unsafe Condition & Termination
ORC 1547.071 Authority of law enforcement officer when especially hazardous condition exists
A law enforcement officer may determine that an unsafe condition presents an especially hazardous condition to persons aboard a vessel and may direct the operator to take immediate, reasonable actions to correct the situation. This includes directing the operator to return a vessel to shore until the condition is corrected or has ended. Refusal by an operator to terminate operation after being ordered to do so is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code. An especially hazardous condition exists if a reasonably prudent person would believe that continued operation would create a hazard to persons aboard.
The following situations present unsafe conditions:
- insufficient personal flotation devices
- overloaded, insufficient freeboard for the water conditions in which the vessel is operating
- improper display of navigation lights
- fuel leaks, including fuel leaking from either the engine or fuel system
- accumulation of or an abnormal amount of fuel in the bilges
- inadequate backfire flame control
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What Other Factors Affect Your Boat Insurance Cost
Besides where you live, several factors play into boat insurance rates, including:
- Type of watercraft: Fishing boats, pontoon boats, sailboats, and other personal watercraft all have unique features that may affect the cost of your policy.
- Safety measures:Completing a boating safety course may lower your rate.
- Boats horsepower: Boats with stronger engines, like powerboats, often have higher rates.
- Boat’s age: Newer boats are often more expensive to insure than older boats.
- Boating history: More experienced boaters may receive lower insurance rates than newer boaters with less experience on the water.
You may be able to lower the cost of boat insurance by qualifying for discounts, including multi-policy, multi-boat, and responsible driver. Learn more about boat insurance discounts at Progressive.
How Much Boat Insurance Do I Need
The answer to this question may come down to your individual tolerance for risk. As mentioned earlier, some states do have a minimum requirement for liability insurance coverage. Its always important to check with your state government to verify if you are required to meet a coverage threshold. The amount of boat insurance you may need can depend on a number of factors such as the boats 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 potential damage they are able to inflict.
Ultimately, your independent insurance agent is your best resource when it comes to determining the level of boat insurance you need to safeguard your summer fun.
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I Need Boat Insurance What Are My Next Steps
If you have a boat or are in the process of buying a boat, you can line up your insurance by calling a local insurance agent.
Your agent will ask you a series of questions about the watercraft you are purchasing, how you intend to use it, where you will keep it, and who will be driving it.
After plugging in your information, they can quickly give you an estimate.
At Baily Insurance Agency, we sell insurance products for boat owners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.
And as an independent insurance agency, we can provide you with multiple quotes from various boat insurance companies. When you give us a call, we can do the shopping around for you!
And if you already have homeowners or auto insurance with one of our insurance partners, we can often bundle your boat insurance with your other insurance products. And anytime you bundle, you can expect some discounts on your insurance policy.
If youre ready to get started with that quote, you can call us at 724-627-6121. Or, you can let us know your ready to right here on our website.
Ohio Boat Insurance Requirements
Unlike car insurance, boat insurance is not a requirement in many states, including Ohio. However, that doesn’t mean that you should go without it. Our partnership with American Modern gives you access to comprehensive coverage with increased liability and physical damage protection. It even offers the option for coverage of your personal items on board, including your fishing gear.
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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.
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?
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Is Boat Insurance Required
Although state regulations do not require carrying boat insurance in Ohio, the benefits of carrying boat insurance far outweigh not having a policy in place. Here are a few examples of boat liability insurance coverage and their benefits:
- Physical Injury Coverage – Boat insurance policies can be customized to provide a variety of coverage that will cover the loss of worker wages, hospitalization, medical treatments and even provide coverage for a catastrophic loss.
- Uninsured Boater Coverage – Because boat insurance is not required in Ohio, liability coverage is rarely carried by most boaters. Uninsured boater coverage will provide compensation for injuries incurred to passengers onboard or by an operator that does not have a liability insurance policy.
- Total Loss Replacement – When disaster strikes in the form of severe weather, such as hurricanes, torrential flooding or other natural disasters, severe damage may be caused to your boat, leading to a total loss. If this occurs, the Stanley Insurance Group in Ohio will work with you to determine your boats’ true value and the dollar amount that will be offered toward replacement.
Boating is a great way to enjoy the beautiful lakes of Ohio. Protecting your investment with a boat/watercraft insurance policy will provide the protection you need. Visit the Stanley Insurance Group today to discuss the benefits of a boat insurance policy.
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What Does Boat Insurance Cover
The answer to this question depends largely on what you want out of your insurance plan. Be sure to contact your insurance agent if you have any questions. Theyll be happy to help you find a policy that covers all of your needs. What you shouldnt do, however, is assume that your pontoon boat is always covered without contacting your agent first.
Here are some things to consider when finalizing your insurance policy:
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What Would Boat Insurance Cover
Once you have deduced that coverage is necessary, it is important to know what is specifically covered on your plan. Boating insurance often covers the following:
- Bodily damage caused by your boat
- Property damage to docks or other boats caused by your boat
- Damage caused directly to your boat
Most basic policies cover these situations. You can also invest in comprehensive boat insurance as well. Some of the things included in comprehensive boat insurance include:
- Theft, vandalism, fire and flood
- Property damage against fishing equipment
- Roadside assistance, if youre in need of a tow
Naturally, the coverage varies by policy and region, especially depending on the kind of watercraft you own and the type of body of water it is used on.
It is in any boat owners best interest to have their assets covered in any case with a water-tight insurance plan.
Take the mystery out of Ohio boat insurance and contact an agent at Burkhart Insurance to get your free quote today.
Complying With Officer Eluding Or Fleeing Stopping Or Yielding To Law Enforcement Vessel
ORC 1547.13, 1547.131 & 1547.132: No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order of an officer having authority to direct or regulate the operation or use of vessels. A boat operator shall not purposely elude or flee from an officer after a visible or audible signal to bring the vessel to a stop is given.
Upon the approach of a law enforcement vessel with a blue flashing light, the operator of any vessel shall stop or give-way in any situation until the law enforcement vessel has passed.
No person shall permit operation of a vessel in violation of this section.
No person shall operate a vessel that creates a wake within 100 feet of a stopped law enforcement vessel with a blue flashing light.
No person shall operate a vessel that creates a wake within 100 feet of a public service vessel displaying a red and yellow alternating flashing light.
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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.
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Why Is Boating Insurance Recommended
Boating insurance is recommended for two main reasons, both of which can save you thousands of dollars.
Is Boat Insurance Expensive
As is the case with almost anything you purchase, the more research and price comparison you doâthe higher likelihood that you will find the boat insurance quote that is right for you. Here are some tips to ensure that you are getting your moneyâs worth and keeping your costs down:
- Only buy what you need: There are lots of options out there for marine insurance and many of these policies are custom-written. Ensure that you know what you need so you can avoid paying for features that you donât require.
- Agreed value vs. Cash value: In an agreed value policy, you are paid a pre-determined value for the vessel in the event of a total covered loss. With agreed value, the insured and insurer agree on the value of the boat upfront. Most agents would recommend this option for a new or late-model boat. As the boat continues to age, look to potentially switch to a cash value option to save on premiums.
- Take a boater safety course: Almost all insurers offer a discount for boaters that have recently completed an approved boater safety course. Take an in-person class or get your boat safety certification online. Check with your insurance agent to see if a discount is offered for your specific policy.
- Spend on safety gear: Insurance companies may cut you an additional discount for having extra safety features onboard your vessel. Check with your insurance agent to see if you qualify for any additional savings.
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Your Pontoon Is Easy To Steal
You might think that trailer lock is keeping your boat safe in your yard, but its actually not. A determined thief with a pickup truck can break that lock off and drive away with your boat. Instead of gambling on the police recovering your boat, wouldnt you rather be protected under your insurance policy?
If youre concerned about your pontoon being stolen, contact your insurance agent today and ask if youre covered.
Boat Insurance: Why You Need It
You may not be worried about theft or damage to your boat and its contents, but your exposure to liability risks remains. Without insurance coverage, your life savings and passengers in the vessel as well will be in danger. Advantage Insurance Network, Cincinnati, OH has custom boat insurance policies to cover you, your boat, personal possessions and passengers too.While there is not much emphasis on the need to have boat insurance in some states, there are several reasons why you need such coverage.
Coverage For Bodily InjuryIn the event of an accident, passengers inside your boat may be injured, and if you are found to be legally liable, this policy will help you pay for injuries that other persons have suffered. Also, a lawsuit may be filed, and we will offer necessary representation to defend you at our expense. As a result, you do not have to worry about the cost obligation or the technicalities of dealing with such a case, because our agents assume these responsibilities fully.
Coverage For Damage Or LossMost probably, there will be damages to other peoples property as well as your own after being involved in a boat accident, and this will be accompanied by losses too. Boat insurance will cover for property damage to others, in addition to payment for fuel spills resulting from the impact. You will also be compensated for personal property that was damaged or lost aboard the watercraft.
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