Is Boat Insurance Required In Georgia

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.

Types Of Boat Insurance Coverage

This will depend on the type of policy, but common coverage add-ons include:

• Specialized Coverage: Coverage for something specific on your boat like an expensive prop or navigation equipment.
• Salvage: Coverage that pays to remove your boat due to damage, from substantial to minor.
• Consequential Damage: Covers a loss that was the result wear and tear rather than an accident .
• Towing: Towing your boat across a body of water to safety can cost $400 per hour.
• Cruising Extension: You can get temporary, additional coverage if you plan on leaving the USA .

Why Type Of Coverage Is Available

Collision – This coverage includes repair or replacement of your boat or watercraft in the event it is involved in an accident.

Comprehensive – Comprehensive coverage will protect your watercraft if it is stolen or damaged by vandalism or other acts that are not considered a collision.

Property Damage Liability – This type of liability insurance protects you if your watercraft is involved in damage to someoneâs property, dock, or their watercraft.

Bodily Injury – This form of liability coverage protects you and those who operate your watercraft in the event they become injured. The policy will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and legal expenses.

Coverages – There are additional coverage options that can be purchased, including policies to protect against uninsured or underinsured operators, personal property, fishing equipment onboard, or other services, such as roadside assistance and towing.

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Boat/watercraft Insurance In Georgia

Although you may not need boat or personal watercraft insurance in the state of Georgia, having coverage will not only protect your watercraft but you and your riders as well. With a range of discounts available for adding boat or personal watercraft insurance, at Hyman Brown Insurance Agency Inc. we can get you the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Operate A Boat In Ga

The minimum boating license age in Georgia is 12 yearsof age to operate any water vessel. Boaters who are 12 to 15 years of age must complete boating classes to be able to operate any water vessel and are only permitted to drive boats that are less than 16 feet in length and have less than 30 horsepower under the supervision of a qualified adult.

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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.

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.

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Florida Boat Registration Requirements & Fees

In order to operate a boat in Florida’s public waters, it must be titled and registered with the state, which you have 30 days to do after you’ve purchased a boat. You can apply for a boat title and registration at a county tax collector or license plate agent office, and you have the option of applying for either a one-year or two-year registration. Once you’ve received your registration, Florida boating regulations require it to be kept on-board the boat during operation. You will also be provided with boat numbers and decals, which need to be affixed to your boat.

To apply for a boat title in Florida, you simply need to complete an application and provide proof of ownership. For a new boat, proof of ownership can include the manufacturer’s certificate of origin, an official statement of the boat’s builder and the bill of sale from the dealer where you purchased the boat. If you bought a used boat, its existing title just needs to be signed by you, the buyer, and the previous owner that sold it to you. You’ll also need to pay Florida’s boat titling fees:

• $5.25 for an electronic title or $7.75 for a paper title. You may also have the option of receiving an expedited title, which is $11.
• $1 per existing lien on the boat to record these on the title.
• $4 if your boat was previously registered in another state.

Georgia Boating Licence Requirements

WHAT IS A GEORGIA BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE

A Georgia Boating Safety Certificate proves that youve obtained the knowledge needed to safely operate a motorized boat on Georgias waterways. As of July 1, 2014, all operators who were born after January 1st, 1988 are required to complete an approved boater education course to legally operate a motorized boat in Georgia.

WHERE CAN I GET MY GEORGIA BOATING LICENSE?

You can get your Georgia Boating Safety Certificate by completing the Official BOATsmart! Course online. Once you successfully complete the online study guide and final exam, you can print a temporary card immediately. BOATsmart! will mail your permanent card within 4 weeks.

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A BOATER CARD IN GEORGIA?

There is no minimum age to complete the Georgia Boater Education course and get certified.

AGE AND HORSEPOWER RESTRICTIONS

Children under 12 years of age may not operate any boat that is over 16 feet in length. Additionally they may not operate any vessel that is powered by an engine or more than 30 hp. However, they may operate non-motorized boats, or boats with a motor of less than 30 hp, so long as the boat is less than 16 feet in length, and they are accompanied on board by an adult.

Boat operators who are 16 years of age or older may operate any boat in the state of Georgia, as long as they have proper identification on board the boat, and have passed an approved Boater Education Course.

DO I NEED A LICENSE TO RENT A BOAT IN GEORGIA?

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Best For Additional Coverage Options: Foremost

Foremost

• No. of Policy Types: 3
• Coverage Limit: Varies

Foremost offers various boat insurance packages with unique add-ons including trip interruption services.

• Unique add ons like onboard pet coverage

• Trailer coverage

• Contact agent for specific coverage maximums

• Website could give more details

Foremost is a part of the Farmers Insurance Group of companies. It is a specialty insurance company that has been in business since 1952, and it’s known for providing affordable coverage for boat insurance in all 50 U.S. states. Foremost offers some unique coverage options for an additional premium, including hurricane haul-out, enhanced towing services, fishing tournament fee reimbursement, additional pollution liability coverage, pet coverage and trip interruption service.

There are several discounts available through Foremost that are designed to save you money on your premium. This includes a lay-up discount, paid-in-full discount, boating safety course, protective device discount, multi-policy discount, multi-unit discount, loss-free renewal discount, prior insurance, insured age , and affinity and alliance discounts for boat operators who are a part of an approved affinity group or alliance organization. Coverage is also available for classic boats over 25 years old.

What To Do About Auto Insurance If Youre A Resident Of Two States

If you are a resident of two states, you have several options when it comes to auto insurance. In this situation, many people simply get their insurance in the state where their vehicle is registered.

If you live in Florida and Georgia because of business and your car registration is listed in Florida, you should maintain Florida insurance.

In fact, many states haveauto insurance laws that will not allow you to register a vehicle in their state until you have insurance from that state, although that is not always the case.

Once again, it is important that you know your states laws before you make any changes to your auto insurance.

If you are moving and you arent sure where your car is going to be registered, your second consideration should be where you are going to spend the most time.

If you are spending three months in Florida and nine months in Georgia, for example, then you may want to consider purchasing insurance in Georgia.

Lastly, if you are splitting time equally between two states and the local laws allow for it, you might want to consider the state with the lowest rates. Then get your car registered in that state and pay insurance through that state.

What state has the lowest average annual auto insurance rates? Find out in the table below, weve organized the data from least to most expensive premiums.

Average Annual Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates by State

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Types Of Boat Insurance

There are two basic types of boat insuranceagreed value and actual cash value. How depreciation is handled is what sets them apart.

An “agreed value” policy covers the boat based on its value when the policy was written. While it can cost more up front, there is no depreciation for a total loss of the boat .

“Actual cash value” policies cost less up front, but factor in depreciation. In other word, the policy will only pay up to the actual cash value of the boat at the time it is declared a total or partial loss. Eventually, as your boat ages, your insurer will likely insist on an actual cash value policyand if often gives a substantial savings.

Age And Operator Restrictions

Persons under 12 years of age:

• May not legally operate a PWC or any vessel 16 feet in length or longer.
• May legally operate a boat less than 16 feet in length and powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less only if they are accompanied by a competent adult.

Persons 12 to 15 years of age:

• May notlegally operate any vessel 16 feet in length or longer.
• May legally operate a PWC or vessel less than 16 feet in length if they:
• Have passed a boating education course approved by the DNR or
• Are accompanied by a competent adult.

Persons 16 years of age or older may legally operate any boat or PWC on Georgia state waters if they have a proper identification card, such as a driver’s license or any other government-issued identification that contains a description of the person, a photograph, and the date of birth, on board.

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Hit The Lake With Peace Of Mind This Summer Learn About Georgia Boating Insurance And New Boating Laws From Our Alpharetta Insurance Team

Summer is heating up here in Alpharetta, and for many local families that means weekends of boating on Lake Lanier! Before you leave the marina, make sure you’re prepared. Check out these 3 things you need to know for boating with peace of mind.

• You need boat insurance– While boat insurance is not required by the state of Georgia, it’s a common sense part of boat ownership. Besides covering your property in case of damage, boat insurance is an important layer of protection if an accident occurs. Half of all boating accidents result in injuries, and if you are found responsible, you could be in serious financial jeopardy. Even if you are the world’s most responsible boater, there are still other people on the lake- and 40% of them are not insured.
• Boat insurance is affordable- If you’re worried about the cost, don’t. Boat insurance is extremely affordable, usually about $23 per month at our Alpharetta insurance agency. Better yet, if you combine your boat insurance policy with lines of insurance on your home and vehicle, you can get an even better boat insurance rate!
• Georgia has new boating laws– Whether you’ve been boating for years or have just purchased your first boat, it’s a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with the law before you hit the lake. Georgia has enacted some new boating laws in the last couple years dealing with life jackets and Boating Under the Influence .

When Encountering Other Vessels:

If you are driving a motor powered vessel, you must give way to:

• To anchored vessels
• Vessels that are restricted in their ability to move. An example is when a boat is towing another boat
• A boat engaged in commercial fishing
• A sailboat under sail unless it is passing you

When operating a boat under sail, you must give way to:

• Any vessel not under control
• Any boat restricted in its ability to maneuver
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing

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Georgia Florida And South Carolina Boat & Watercraft Insurance

At McGinty-Gordon & Associates an Oakbridge Insurance Partner, we can offer a wide variety of coverages and options for your boat, jet ski or personal watercraft. Some boats or smaller watercraft may even be covered under your current homeowners policy. The size, type and value of your watercraft will be part of the determining factors in evaluating your insurance coverage needs.

The following list some of the many coverages that we can offer:

• Physical Damage Coverage – adding this coverage to your policy protects your boat while in storage and during transport. This covers your boat as well when out of the water, including but not limited to: fire, lightning, vandalism or theft. You can also obtain emergency service reimbursement for expenses related to towing, labor or supplies.
• Liability Coverage – this coverage will assist you in the event of a collision with another boat, dock or other boaters.
• Personal Liability – protecting you or family member if you have an accident that causes injury to another person.
• Medical Payments – covering medical expenses if you or someone in your boat is involved in an accident.
• Property Damage – damage that may be caused to another persons property while operating your watercraft.

Some additional discounts and coverages may include:

• Boat Removal
• Multi Policy Discounts

What Is The Seasonal Residents And Snowbirds Exception

Some Americans spend large quantities of time throughout the year living in different parts of the country, like snowbirds or certain business owners. If this describes you, whether youre a temporary worker or a full-time student, what state should you purchase an auto insurance policy from? Can you insure a car in another state?

Customarily, you should purchase your auto insurance policy in the same state where your primary residence is located.

For example, if you balance your time between a vacation home in New Jersey and a permanent home in New York, you should purchase your insurance in New York. This will typically reflect the address on your current vehicle registration, or drivers license.

However, check the local state laws. In some states, like Georgia, youre required to register your vehicle if you will be there for a 30 day period or greater, even if you are not a resident.

In cases like this, you may need to purchase insurance in one state while youre living there and then cancel it and purchase new insurance in the other state you live in when you return there.

This helps prevent overlapping coverage, which saves you money, but only works if your car travels with you.

You can also ask your insurance agent for more detailed information.

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What Is Boat Insurance

If youre ready to live a sea- faring dream, you might be interested in boat insurance. Buying a boat can be a huge investment thats largely rewarding all around. However, owning a boat requires a lot of upkeep, an up-to-date knowledge of your local boating laws, and the ability to protect yourself and your vessel if worst comes to worst. So, heres a guide to getting the best boating insurance to stay safe off the shore.