Is Boat Insurance Required In Nc

Is It Mandatory To Have Insurance On A Boat

Do I Really Need Boat Insurance?

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?

How Can I Lower My Boat Insurance Rate In North Carolina

Discounts vary by state, but in North Carolina, you may be able to lower your insurance rate if:

Multi-boat discount: You insure more than one watercraft on your Progressive boat policy.

Safety course: You completed a North Carolina-approved safety course.
Original owner: You’re the original owner, entitling you to a discount.
Multi-policy discount: You have another policy with Progressive, you can bundle and save on boat insurance.

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover

Common boat insurance coverages include:

Property damage liabilityâProperty damage liability insurance covers the cost of damages to someone else’s property after an accident you cause. In most cases, your property damage will pay out when you are at fault for an accident that causes damage to someone else’s boat or PWC.

Collision damageâWhen your boat or PWC is damaged in an accident, collision insurance is an optional coverage that pays the cost of repairing or replacing it, minus the amount of your deductible.
Bodily injury liabilityâBodily injury liability coverage is the part of your insurance policy that pays for the costs associated with injuries to other people involved, if you are found legally responsible for a boating accident.
Hull coverageâHull insurance covers any physical damages that occur to your boat and generally includes trailers, equipment, motors, and accessories. Typical claims include fire and windstorm damage.

Fuel spill liabilityâA separate policy that separates out fuel spill liability and provides coverage for any fines that may occur from an accident involving a fuel spill.

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For Most People Owning A Boat Can Be A Dream Come True Whether You Are Out On The Water With Friends Or Enjoying A Relaxing Day Of Fishing Your Boat Provides An Escape From The Daily Grind

With a Boat Owners policy from Wells Marine Insurance, you can cast your worries aside, and enjoy your time afloat knowing that you are properly insured. We offer many coverage options to keep you, your vessel, and its passengers safe.

We specialize in coverage for the following marine vessels:

Yachts

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North Carolina Boater Registrations

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is responsible for boat registration in NC and offers various services to promote boater safety. NC vessel registration is a system of identification and record-keeping on all motorized boats and large sailboats operated within the state.

The NCWRCs enforcement division issues citations against irresponsible boaters and works to protect watercraft from theft. Your boat registration card must always be carried aboard when the vessel is in operation. Keep reading to educate yourself about the requirements to register a boat in NC, who needs safety education and whether your vessel is exempt from registration.

The Intended Use Of The Boat

A boats intended use can also determine how much the insurance company will charge a boat owner. This is especially true if the boat is being used for commercial purposes.

For example, a commercial fisherman or lobster hunter will usually pay a lot more for insurance than a person who uses their boat recreationally.

This is especially true if the person is using their boat as a charter or ferry boat.

Even the types of activities on the boat can affect the pricing of the insurance policy. For instance, a tour boat that serves alcohol will have a higher risk profile than a boat that does not.

In this case, the boat owner may have to add additional insurance riders onto their base plan.

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What’s Included In A Standard Progressive North Carolina Boat Insurance Policy

Bodily injury liability coverage may help with medical and legal expenses if someone on your boat, on another boat, or in the water is injured and you are responsible. Property damage liability coverage may pay for damages your boat may have caused to another boat, marina, dock, or other property. An umbrella policy can offer extra liability protection if you need more than a $500,000 liability limit. Umbrella policy limits can be obtained, typically up to $5 million. Learn more about boat insurance liability coverage.

Watersport coverage helps pay for medical costs associated with accidents involved in on-the-water sports such as tubing, skiing, etc.

Wreckage removal coverage may pay for the removal of your boat from the water in the event it sinks and removal is legally required.

Fuel spill covers legally required cleanups associated with spilled fuel, no matter how it happened.

Boat Insurance Coverage Faqs

Boating Insurance 101 with Bishop Skinner Marine – What is Boat Insurance? Why get boat insurance?

Small Boat Insurance

What is the best coverage for my boat?

It is best to have what is known as an “All Risk” policy, which will provide coverage for all types of losses except those specifically excluded in the policy. Typical exclusions may include wear and tear, gradual deterioration, marring, denting, scratching, animal damage, manufacturer’s defects, defects in design, and ice and freezing.

How much should I insure my boat for?

You should insure your boat for the amount it would cost you to replace it with like kind and quality. This is called “Agreed Value” or “Stated Value” coverage, and in the event of a total loss, will pay the full insured amount. Beware of policies providing “Actual Cash Value” coverage, which means the value of your boat will be replacement cost less depreciation.

What other coverages can I expect with my policy?

The following are standard coverages with standard deductibles and average limits:

Medical payments, $5,000
$1,000 limit Personal effects, $250 deductible

Uninsured boaters liability, between $300,000 and $500,000
$500 to $1000 limit Towing and assistance, no deductible
$1,000 limit Fishing equipment, $250 deductible

Who is allowed to operate my boat?

I live in an area where I can’t use my boat in the winter, but my lender requires it be insured year-round. What can I do?

Large Boat Insurance

What are the differences between boat and yacht insurance?

What should I look for in a yacht policy?

What is a normal deductible?

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How Much Will Boat Insurance Cost Me

11 Minute Read | September 22, 2021

Boats are a highlight of summer! Theyre flashy, fun . . . and freaking expensive to repair or replace. Thats why its better to pay for boat insurance than to hope youll get by with zero accidents.

Boat insurance protects you financially if your boat is involved in an accident where property gets damaged or someone gets hurt. On average, boat insurance costs $200 to $500 a yearor around 15% of your boats value if you have a big, powerful or expensive boat.

Lets talk about what affects the average boat insurance cost, what it covers and where to get it.

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Getting A Boating License In North Carolina

NC boater education cards are only administered to drivers who successfully complete the state boating safety course. The subject of these classes is safety rules, regulations and practices specific to North Carolina.

Boating license certification is available online and in-person for state residents. For either method, the following steps should be followed to obtain a license:

Find an online or in-person safety course offered in the state. Courses must be approved by the Wildlife Resource Commission to be considered valid. A variety of third-party organizations offer classes at varying costs to students.

Attend the required hours of the course and complete all class components.

Prepare for the final competency examination by going over all information covered during class. Additionally, these important concepts are found in the official state boaters guide.

Take the boater exam in order to get final approval for education cards.

Pay any required fees to be issued a physical certificate by the state.

When the aforementioned steps are successfully complete, licenses are provided by mail to applicants.

Best For Emergency Services Coverage: State Farm

State Farm

No. of Policy Types: 1

Coverage Limit: Varies

State Farm is a well-known insurance provider that offers additional coverages including emergency services reimbursement.

Coverage for houseboats and jet-skis

No online quotes for boat insurance

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In business since 1922, State Farm is one of the best-known names in insurance in the United States. They offer boat liability and property damage insurance for common risks like storms, collision, theft, and more, with add-on coverage options available . Their property damage coverage extends protection not only to equipment permanently attached to your boat but also to accessories such as detachable canopies, life preservers, and seat cushions. State Farm has resources available for boat owners including articles on boat trailer safety tips, boat safety, and water safety. Boat insurance is available for a multitude of watercraft: runabout/sport boats, cruisers/yachts, sailboats, bass boats, jet skis, houseboats, and kayak/canoes.

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Boat & Marine Insurance

Boat or Marine insurance is available for small boats, yachts, high-performance powerboats, live-aboard houseboats, catamarans, or pontoons. Marine insurance will cover intended use including personal recreation, commercial, or charter vessels.

Boat policies can cover damage to your boat, motor, trailer, and personal effects in the boat. Available coverage includes liability, medical payments, injury to a water skier and damage to the boat itself, sometimes called hull coverage. Availability varies by state and by insurance company. Even though boat insurance premiums are low, shopping your rate can sometimes save a substantial amount.

Pryor Insurance offers free, comparative quotes on Boat & Marine Insurance from multiple insurance carriers so you can get the best possible rate.

Want to see how much we can save you? Just request a quote to find out.

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.

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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 .

Boater Safety Courses In North Carolina

Carman testifies in boat insurance trial

A boater safety course in North Carolina is available locally via classes taught by the NC WRC or online. If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you must pass a North Carolina boating safety course and earn an NC boater education card to legally operate a motorized watercraft of 10 horsepower or more.

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Why Are Northern States Typically Less Expensive Than Southern States

Boat insurance rates are generally more affordable if you live in a state with no coastline, and many coastal states are in the southern part of the United States. Along the coast, you’ll usually find bigger and more expensive boats used in the oceans and on the Gulf of Mexico. The Great Lakes states tend to fall in the low-cost category because boat lengths tend to be smaller, with many boaters taking advantage of inland lakes and rivers. The length of the boating season also has a big impact on the cost of boat insurance. Many northern states have shorter boating seasons and lower policy costs than southern states where the boating season is generally much longer.

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What Does Boat Insurance Include

When you purchase boat insurance, standard insurance will typically cover the following:

Bodily injury: If someone gets injured while on your boat, this will help cover legal and medical bills associated with the accident.
Property damage: This coverage will protect you if you are at fault in an accident that caused damage to another boat or property.

Collision: If youre in an accident, this will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your boat. This coverage is usually optional however, a lender may require you to purchase it if youre leasing.
Comprehensive: This coverage will pay for repair costs if your boat gets damaged from something other than a collision this includes floods, storms, fire, theft, and vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorists: If an uninsured or underinsured motorist causes damage to you or your boat, this coverage will help protect you.

Medical payment coverage: If youre involved in an accident, this coverage will pay for the medical costs regardless of who is at fault. Some policies will even cover funeral expenses.

There are also additional options you can add to your coverage, such as:

Keep in mind your insurance should cover all operators.

Talk to your insurance provider and make sure you have all the appropriate options added to your plan for your specific situation and climate.

North Carolina Boating Rules And Regulations

Certain boating regulations are developed specially for NC residents to follow while driving motorized vessels and watercraft. These boat requirements are used to help drivers maintain safety on state waterways. Doing this allows passengers, swimmers and wildlife to be protected from unsafe driving practices.

Furthermore, natural areas remain protected when boaters respect their surrounding while using recreational boats. The following boat requirements should be followed:

Coast Guard approved lifejackets should be on board for those required to wear life vests.
All children below age 13 must wear a lifejacket at all times when riding on water vessels.

Driving boats while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. Boaters can receive fines, tickets and/or be arrested for this type of behavior.
Every boat owned in the North Carolina must be registered with the state Wildlife Commission.
Boats above certain lengths should maintain approved whistles and bells.

Drivers can find further boating rules in the official state boaters guide.

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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.

What Does Average Boat Insurance Cover

And now we get to perhaps the most important question here: What does boat insurance actually cover, anyway?

A lot of things, varying from policy to policy.

Take the time to customize your boat insurance plan to suit your needs. Carefully select what you and your family need, given your specific circumstances. To get you started, here are a few of the things covered by the average boat insurance policy, and that most boaters consider very important:

Medical Costs

If someone is injured in a boating accident thats found to be your fault , then your boat insurance plan will likely cover a good chunk of the medical expenses associated with the boating injuries.

This is also true if you or someone on your boat is hurt in an accident thats someone elses fault. This is important, especially if the other parties involved made the poor choice to skip getting boat insurance!

Liability Expenses

After a boating accident, regardless of whether there were medical bills, there are often legal costs. These could be potentially ruinous if you dont have good boat insurance coverage in place.

Property Damage

If your boat is involved in an incident that causes property damage to another vessel, a dock or part of a marinaor even simply to itselfyoull be glad you have boat insurance when the repairs or replacements are covered by your insurer, and not your personal bank account.