Get A Boat Insurance Policy To Protect Your Investment
Boat insurance helps you enjoy peace of mind as you navigate your boat or personal watercraft . So if you travel across lakes, rivers, or ocean waters of the United States we can help. Whether you’re looking for a new boat insurance policy or just to save money on an existing policy, we’re can help you get started with a free boat insurance quote.
Make boating better, together. Experience and a name you can trust go a long way when you’re shopping for boat insurance. That’s why the GEICO Marine Insurance Company has teamed with BoatUS, the nation’s largest group of recreational boat owners. Since 1966, BoatUS has been helping to make boating safer, more affordable, and fun. Together, we share a passion for all things boating.
We all want cheap boat insurance rates, but customer service is what matters. Protect your investment with boat insurance you can count on and get your free online boat insurance quote today.
What Does Texas Boat Insurance Cover
Boat insurance policies can vary from one provider to the next. Some of the coverage that may come standard with one policy may be optional with another.
Most boat insurance providers in Texas will offer some or all of the following types of coverage.
It is a good idea to review all your policy options when deciding which are a good fit for you and your family.
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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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.
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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What Coverage Options Are Available For Boat Insurance
In some cases, it is possible to get moderate coverage via your home or vehicle insurance policies. However, these are typically very simplistic and limited whether or not these types of extended coverage are viable will depend on your specific needs, the cost of ownership of your boat, and how frequently you use your boat.
The better option much of the time is to find and select a policy that specifically covers watercraft, and even better than that is to find policies that cover your specific boat type. Boats come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and usage types. Each factor changes coverage, so it is ideal to select a policy that specifically covers:
- Bass and fishing boats
- Sailboats
- Other watercrafts
Personal watercraft policies that stand apart from motorist insurance offers the same coverage types: liability, uninsured motorist, and comprehensive coverage. Policies generally cover the following:
- Bodily injury
Care & Protection Of Your Craft
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Is Boat Insurance Necessary
Boat insurance in Texas is absolutely necessary no matter where the boat is. Your boat may not sit on the water all year, but your must carry insurance for the boat in case of an emergency. You are bound by law in the state of Texas to have insurance for every watercraft you own. Your boat or Jet Ski must have an insurance policy that will provide for you in the event of a crash or loss. Boat insurance in Texas comes from the same agents who write your auto and home policies, but the policies must be specific to each craft. Coverage for your craft cannot exceed the crafts value, and you must ask your insurance agent to advise you on the type of policy that is needed for each vehicle.
Boat Insurance Limits In Arkansas
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Boating Laws and Responsibilities Handbook, boating insurance, boat registration and proof of personal property tax payment is required by law at the time of watercraft registration. Liability boating insurance, which protects the policy-holder against damages his watercraft causes to others boaters or vessels on the water, is required for all 50 horsepower-or-higher watercraft.
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Contact Stieber Insurance Group For A Free Quote On Boat Insurance
Stieber Insurance Group offers free, comparative quotes on the personal boat and watercraft insurance from multiple insurance carriers, assuring you of the best possible rates. Want to see how much we can save you? For a free online boat insurance quote, callStieber Insurance Group today at!
Request a Quote Today
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. |
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What Should I Consider When Looking For Boat Insurance
From the marinas at Corpus Christi to the shore of Lake Texoma, boat owners are all over Texas and are faced with a variety of insurance options. There is a lot to keep in mind when looking for the right policy for your needs. Some things that you should consider are:
- We live in Texas! Hail is always with us. Does your policy adequately cover damages as a result of hail?
- Oh my! What about all those tornados? Do I have coverage for that?
- Is my fishing equipment, navigation gear, etc., covered on my fast moving bass boat?
- Are my electronics covered if there is a lightning strike?
- If I am in the Gulf, are there navigation limits in my policy that I must be aware of?
- Does my current homeowners policy provide any coverage for my boat?
- Do I have to be a resident of the state in order to get coverage?
- Do I motor in a High speed or go-fast boat that needs special underwriting?
Your Toy Needs Its Own Coverage
Boat insurance doesn’t just apply when your boat is afloat. It also can provide coverage for the trailer you use for towing it, says Lynne McChristian, Florida representative for the Insurance Information Institute.
“This is important protection to have because either the trailer or what you tow it with could have a breakdown,” McChristian says.
She recommends talking to your insurance agent to find out exactly what your existing insurance covers – and what it doesn’t. For example, your homeowners insurance policy will typically provide some coverage for boats, trailers and equipment such as motors, but the payout is limited to $1,500.
A boat insurance policy from Progressive, for example, includes such options as roadside assistance so that both your trailer and your vehicle are covered if you have a breakdown, run out of fuel, get a flat, or get stuck in the sand. There is coverage for on-water tows. There is even uninsured boater coverage.
Audrey Sylvan, head of product management of the Eastern Zone for Farmers Insurance, says anyone towing a trailer should review their policy “to ensure they understand what types of coverages they have, before rolling out onto the highway.”
If you’re towing a travel trailer to your favorite local campground or take it on a long haul across the country, she recommends you get extra coverage, just as you would for a boat.
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Coverage Can Be Tailored To Your Watercraft
Not every boat is the same. Texas Insurance Agency in Katy can help customize your boat insurance and damage coverage, helping you maximize the right discounts and getting the coverage you need. Our experienced Katy boat insurance agents work diligently to make sure that you have the right coverage so that you are not at risk of being underinsured.
What Is The Difference Between Comprehensive And Limited Boating Insurance
While both types of insurance provide the all-important liability coverage, comprehensive boating insurance provides protection against a far greater number of sources for damage. When you have named-perils coverage, you get a list of damage thats covered. On the other hand, when you have comprehensive coverage, you get a small list of incidents that arent covered while everything else is.
Since comprehensive insurance is only incrementally more expensive yet much more inclusive, it is the best choice for serious boaters.
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What Kind Of Boat Insurance Do I Need
Like many other insurance policies, boat insurance can typically be separated into a few types: liability, uninsured motorist, and collision/comprehensive coverages.
Liability insurance is the minimum standard required by most states, banks, and marinas. The boat insurance professionals at trustedchoice.com recommend buying at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance. The recommended amount of liability coverage can be even higher if you have a fast, powerful boat that is both riskier and can cause more damage.
With uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, the standard minimum is $10,000. Ensure that you take into account any potential injuries and damages you may need to cover if you or one of your passengers is injured or your vessel is badly damaged.
The last type of boat insurance we will cover is collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. These types of coverages should be based specifically on the value of your boat. Check with your lender or your marina to see if there are insurance policies in place.
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.
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Do I Need Boat Insurance In Dallas Texas
The weather is finally starting to warm up in Texas. So, that means it will soon be time to get the boat back on the lake! One of the very first questions first-time boatowners ask us is, Do I need boat insurance? The short answer is yes you absolutely need boating insurance. Check out this video detailing a few of the reasons you need to be sure you have boat insurance before taking your boat out this summer.
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.
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Hitting The Water Make Sure You Have Boat Insurance
- Date Published:
Where we live in Texas, it is not uncommon to see dozens of boats being hauled on the highway heading to the Gulf for a day of fun in the sun. As your Allstate insurance agents, we want to take a minute to remind boaters of the importance of purchasing boat insurance before hitting the water. In todays blog, were offering up some more information about why you might need boat insurance, what boat insurance covers, and how to get the best boat insurance policy for your needs. Keep reading to learn more!
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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Address Your Need For Boat Insurance Through Our Network Of Marine Insurers
Addressing the need for boat insurance can be a particularly challenging endeavour as it will undoubtedly take an investment of time and effort in order to find the best coverage from the right provider at the most affordable rate.
To begin, there are numerous characteristics of any boat/personal watercraft that must be taken into consideration when determining the cost of a boat insurance policy these elements can include most or all of the following:
- Age
Texas Boating Laws And Requirements
It is boat season in Texas. With many lakes and the Gulf nearby, there are many opportunities for Texans to get out on the water with friends and family this summer. Below, we have outlined a few important Texas boating laws. Following these boating requirements can help keep you safe from a boat accident.
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Is Boat Insurance Required
*Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. The TowBoatU.S. Towing Coverage Endorsement is offered by GEICO Marine Insurance Company, with towing services provided by the BoatU.S. Towing Program. Towing coverage only applies to the insured watercraft. This endorsement is not available in all locations and is subject to certain restrictions. Towing coverage is subject to availability and service may be restricted based on the location of the insured watercraft or trailer. Please speak to an agent to discuss details of towing services, limits, exclusions and coverage availability.
The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.
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BoatUSâBoat Owner’s Association of The United Statesâis the nation’s largest association for recreational boaters providing service, savings and representation for over 50 years.
