Insurance Checker

Motor Boat Insurance Basics

Sailing off into the blue yonder, has the salutary effect of blowing cares and stresses away with the winds. However, before you sail away in your new boat, consider the merits of these questions. Do you have boat insurance? Moreover, are your insurance needs fully met?

marine insurance defines vessels according certain measurements. A boat is defined as one measured between 16 feet and 25 feet, 11 inches in length. If thats the length and width of your seaworthy vessel, then you have a boat.

Here are the pertinent components your boat insurance policy should have:

Physical Damage Coverage

The insurer pays you for the repair or replacement of your boat, under the following circumstances: Theft, vandalism, lightning, fire, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Included in this coverage is the boat itself, outboard motors, engines, and your boat trailer.

Excluded from the coverage are the following items, which are not, considered a part of your boats operations: camera or video equipment, clothing, fashion accessories, or jewelries, food or beverages, cell phones, stereo equipment, portable television, personal computers or scuba gear. Alternatively, you can ask for separate coverage for these items.

Tip. Read the fine print and so that you know what restrictions could apply to your coverage. Can your boat be stored at your place of residence? Alternatively, should the boat be at your vacation spot? Where does the coverage begin? Some policies specifically limit the uses of your boat and list the exceptions.

Liability Coverage

Youll find this coverage quite useful. You may also wish youd paid a bigger premium, when theres an accident and your boat is liable for damaging another boat, property, or injury.

Uninsured Boat Coverage

This is the marine insurance equivalent of the road vehicles uninsured motorist coverage. In this case, your boats repairs are covered, in the event the owner of the property your boat collided with has expired insurance or worse, doesnt have it.

Passenger Medical Coverage

This coverage pays for the medical expenses incurred by people on your boat. This is a must-have clause and the limit can be inexpensive, from $450.00 to $10,000.00, is quite common.

Towing & Assistance Coverage

With this coverage, youll get reimbursement for the costs youve incurred for availing of emergency services. Examples of these, your vessel breaks down, and a commercial outfit tows your vessel to the port, youve paid for delivery to replace your fuel, oil, or engine parts, or for someone to repair your engine.

The bottom line to all this? Be pro-active and arm yourself with knowledge, which among the different policies possible, your boat insurance should have.

Then, youll sail confidently into the sun, because your insurance policy will cover you where its most necessary.

What to Look for in a Boat Insurance Policy

Having adequate and appropriate marine insurance can provide boat owners with a better outcome in the event of an accident and improve their peace of mind.

Most boaters realise marine insurance policies differ from what is available for a car.

Variations exist in the basic coverage provided by both types of policies and not knowing these distinctions could hurt your bottom line after a loss.

Marine insurance is composed of two broad categories, liability and physical damage coverage:

Liability Coverage – This insurance coverage pays the costs that might be due third parties for injury, loss of life or property damage. These would be people besides you or your immediate family injured in an accident. It will also cover legal expenses that might arise from defending an accident related lawsuit.

Physical Damage Coverage – This portion of your policy pays for the cost of damage to boat itself and its related machinery. Polices may limit payments due to weather or vandalism. Try to purchase an “all risk” policy that does not list specific exclusions to its coverage. Ensure your policy covers all the equipment found on the boat and insures it while being transported or stored at home.

Physical damage coverage can be settled on an agreed or actual cash value. The difference could have a major effect on your ability to replace a boat or major component.

Agreed Value – The policy will cover the cost listed in the insurance agreement for the boat after a total loss.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) – The policy pays only what the vessel is actually worth based on age and condition. This coverage will be less expensive, but provides less coverage for replacement or repair of a damaged boat.

These are several other insurance options available for boaters:

Medical Payments – Persons on-board are covered for their reasonable medical costs associated with the accidents or incidents on the insured vessel. Coverage can include things like ambulance fees and hospital charges. Some policies will cover costs associated with swimmers and skiers that use your boat.

Towing and Assistance – Coverage of emergency assist towing, emergency repairs, and providing fuel while out on the water.

Personal Property – Covers the loss of personal items that were on-board a boat involved in an accident. These could include things like cameras, cellular phones, fishing equipment, and clothing.

Uninsured Boater – This insurance covers the loss of your boat caused by a boater operating without liability insurance. The cost of this insurance is low compared to the risk, there are many boaters out there that don’t carry insurance.

Oil Pollution – The cost of responding to and cleaning up after a fuel or oil spill can be staggering. Many boaters don’t anticipate this issue until their vessel sinks and it causes a spill. Commercial vessels routinely carry this insurance and many recreational boaters have added it as well.

There are many things you can do to reduce the cost of insurance premiums.

Vessel Safety Checks – Obtaining one of these free inspections from the Coastal Guard Auxiliary is painless way to lower insurance premiums with many insurance carriers.

Training – Boat owners who complete boating safety programs can qualify for reduced premiums. Members

Layup and Storage – Risk and liability are a function of use. If you pull your boat every season, check with your agent and verify this is calculated in your premium.

Equipment – Some insurance carriers offer premium reductions for installation of safety devices like GPS navigation equipment, fire extinguishers, vapor detectors, EPIRBs, high water alarms and the like. Check with your agent for additional ideas.

Mooring – The condition and operation of the marina you moor in can help with the cost of insurance. Choosing the right marina also has environmental consequences.

Diesel Power – Diesel engines offer a number a safety benefits for boaters compared to gasoline powered boats. Use of a marine diesel engine could lower premiums.

Deductibles – Boat owners that can afford a higher deductible will see a difference in their premium. Marine policies can express deductibles as percentage of the policy value or a flat amount.

Final Thoughts – Vessels over 26 feet in length are considered yachts by many insurance carriers. It may be worth checking on the differences in coverage and cost by adopting one of these policies. Consult with a professional marine insurance broker if you have a larger vessel or unusual risks to consider. boat insurance can vary much more from carrier to carrier than what we are accustomed to in the automotive realm. It pays to conduct research and compare policies and company qualifications.

Many homeowner’s policies cover boats while they parked at your house. Extra coverage may be available, but could likely not replace the coverage found in a marine policy. You can also take steps to make your boat a less attractive target.

Tips for driving with a boat trailer

Choosing the right trailer to pull your boat when traveling is more important than you might think.A boat hull can suffer more damage when trailered over rough roads than it does afloat in rough seas unless the trailer’s rollers and bolsters are positioned so that they cushion the hull.The axles of the boat trailer should be positioned or the boat mounted so that around 5 to 10% of the boat’s weight rests on the car’s hitch.Place your gear and boat accessories so that the weight is distributed equally between the stern and bow halves.

Too much stern weight can make the rig fish-tail, or sway,which could be dangerous.Too much weight on the hitch can lift the car’s front end,causing the headlight beams to shine too high and making steering difficult.Trailer wheels are small and rotate fast,they build up heat on a trip and,when they are submerged during launching,they pull water through the hubs and into the bearings,check unsealed bearings and if need be then repack them with grease.If you store your boat off-season on the trailer,block up the frame to take weight off the tires and springs.

Before your first launch of the season,examine tires and spare,bearings,winch,hitch,fra me,wiring,and tie-downs. A great resource to check out is Boating life magazine because they offer info ranging from boat and boat trailer accessories,safety tips covering topics like boat and trailer lights,waterproofing,boat trailer tires,and they offer use of their online boat buyer’s guide and prices.Boatersworld.com is an online boating store where you can buy boating and boat trailer accessories at competitive prices,no sales tax,no shipping cost over $100 and ships within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Do you have insurance on your boat trailer? Metlife offers boat insurance that covers; boat trailers,boat motors,hull,and boating equipment. In summary,boat trailers are generally safe if they have been cared for.

A good idea is to make a checklist for yourself covering the items that need maintenance to be in top performance condition in order to travel safely with your boat trailer. Some to mention

are; the tow bar and coupler,make sure they are the same size and bolts and washers are tightly secured. your trailer is loaded evenly,front to rear as well as side to side. The lights on the trailer function properly.Check the brakes,Check tires,including spare.The side view mirrors,Tie-downs and lower unit supports have to be adjusted properly to prevent the boat from bouncing on the trailer.

Shopping Around For Boat Insurance

All too often after buying a boat, boat insurance can become a bit of an afterthought. Many boat owners do not have an understanding of what they are covered for and how marine insurance differs from regular car insurance. Its not surprising things can get confusing when there are often variations beyond the basic coverage and even boat and yacht policy discrepancies between companies that specialise in marine insurance.

Any good marine policy should include physical damage and liability coverage. Physical damage coverage reimburses for any damage incurred to the boat or its machinery. Experts usually recommend a policy that covers your vessel even whilst it is being stored or transported, the best policy being an all risk policy which will cover any loss not specifically excluded from the policy for example vandalism and wind storms. It is best to check your policy to find out the real extent to which you are covered for damage.

When you compare physical damage coverage an important consideration is whether the insurance settlement is based on an agreed value or an actual cash value. If based on an agreed value you will be reimbursed for the amount listed on the policy in the event of a total loss. If you have made important additions to your boat it is in your interest to check the full value of your boat is covered. Actual cash value will take into account depreciation and the condition of the boat at the time of loss and consequently provides less coverage but at a lower premium.

You can get additional coverage for a range of instances. Medical payments cover first aid, hospital and ambulance bills in the event of an accident. This also covers any passengers. Personal property and towing and assistance coverage is also available from marine insurance providers. Uninsured boater coverage will cover you and your passengers for any injuries caused by another boat owner not covered for liability insurance.

Remember to check the cruising area specified on your policy. Make sure that your policy covers you for where you want to go.

When you are still at the stage of shopping around and comparing policies take note of the excess on the policy. Do not simply concentrate on the premium but pay attention to the amount you will have to pay in the event of making a claim. Check for hidden charges especially if you are paying by premium finance (monthly instalments) as these can end up pushing up your premium to higher than expected.

How much you end up paying for your insurance will depend on a variety of factors including the length, value, type and age of the boat and the mooring location and cruising area. The key is to ensure that you find the most suitable policy and competitive premium based on your needs. Methods of reducing your premium may be to accept a higher deductible, install safety devices or reduce your cruising area. However you may just as well want to cover a high value vessel at worldwide cruising ranges which is also possible with the many policies on offer.

Ideally before you think about buying a boat compare quotes and speak to marine insurance experts to make sure your boat has adequate protection.

Sail boat insurance basics

When it comes to insuring things those we own against loss or damage we tend to want the very best. After all, we worked hard to get what we have and we all want to make sure that we keep it and if loss or damage does occur then we want a way to replace it. Sailboats are no exception to this rule. As one of the more expensive toys we can own, Sailboats need to be insured just like we would our cars and our homes.

The major difference between boat insurance and car insurance is the amount of coverage a policy provides. This variation is simplistic in nature but can be very difficult if one does not know the very basis of the issue. The basis of sailboat insurance is the different things that can be covered by the different policies and individual companies. Of course all of this varies by the type of boat and the company and location of the boat but that is for another time.

The first thing to remember is the coverage that applies to your sailboat should always apply to the persons on the boat as well. This is called medical coverage and it works to protect you and anyone on the boat in case of an accident or sinking. The insurance company so that yourself and people with you will have their medical expenses pays this for if an accident occurs. The amount of medical coverage does have a maximum and once that amount is met then the insurance company is no longer liable for further expenses incurred. Most often the amount of coverage is more than enough to cover the medical bills, but there are some extreme cases where it far exceeds the insurance company payments.

Next you should look to cover the equipment on the sailboat itself. Car insurance does not have this feature but under sail boat insurance you can choose equipment that will be covered in case of loss or damage. For a sailboat this is most often the sails, anchors, riggings and on board electronics used for navigation. The reasoning behind this type of coverage is the fact that all of these things are necessary for the boat to be properly operated. So, in order to keep your boat in working order than you will need to make sure that those items are covered against loss. Theft from boats is a crime that grows every year so be sure to protect yourself from thieves.

Finally you should consider the liability to the people around you when choosing an insurance policy for your sailboat. If an accident occurs and it is determined to be your fault then you are liable for damages to the other persons craft and their medical expenses if any. Liability insurance offers coverage for those situations to keep you from having huge expenses.

Why boating insurance is a good idea – Part 1

A boat is an expensive purchase and often costs a lot more than a car. Have you ever thought of driving without car insurance? Of course not; a car is expensive and an accident happens easier than you expect. Maybe many people don’t consider about but every year thousands of accidents happen in the entire world. Injuries, damage on your boat, and maybe you don’t expect this, but also some boats are stolen. There is no doubt: boat insurance is always a good idea.

You can compare a boating insurance in many ways with car insurance. Probably boat insurance is not obligated in your country but no matter which kind of boat you have the risk is too high for not taking one. There are only differences between the kinds of insurance you should take. A boating insurance for a small boat is different than for speedboats or sailboats. Of course not only the kind of boat makes difference also the value of your boat has an influence on the kind of insurance which you have to take.

Shopping for the right boating insurance requires a lot of research but this can be said for all kind of insurances. It is necessary to know if your insurance protect you against all the possible risks. However, the chance is very low that another insurance protects you already against damage or theft of a boat; it is necessary to check first all your policies of insurances you already have. Don’t think a family insurance will pay you the costs of an accident which will happen on your boat! This might be too easy; there is certainly need for a boating insurance.

When you are searching for a boating insurance which fits your needs it is important you pay attention on the good reputation and probably high standards of the company. Don’t take one from an unknown company with a low premium; you will soon find out most of your invested money in these kinds of insurances is waste of money because they don’t cover all the necessary needs if something will happen. Maybe the company is not solvable to pay the damage or long discussions and juridical procedures are necessary and very often you will never receive money from the company or only a limited amount.

Read the content of the policy very carefully and be sure you understand the policy and the service promises behind the price! Pay better a little bit more attention than finding out too late you are not covered for certain risks. Be sure the policy includes all the coverage options you need! Before you buy your boating insurance it is important to consider about the circumstances you are planning to use your boating insurance. This will be likely different for a speedboat or another motor boat compared with one for a kayak or another boat without motor.

Probably is the most important option of your policy the physical damage coverage. This kind of coverage includes damage on your boat like vandalism, windstorm, fire, and explosion but also when you hit another boat and your motor is damaged. The necessary boat equipment like boat covers, portable gas tanks, docking fenders, your boat engine, sonar equipment and many others will be covered by this option.

Water liability coverage is another important coverage. Have you ever thought how many accidents happen every year while people maybe accidentally injure another person on the water? This can be a swimmer or perhaps a water skier but also property damage is covered in this option. It is not unusual you hit a rock or your boat collides with another one and damages your boat. Such accidents happen very frequently and this coverage can save you a lot of money.

Why boating insurance is a good idea – Part 5

I have been boating 35 years and every year I see someone who does not have

boat insurance.The jet ski users are the worst about not getting boat insurance.

If you ask them ,they will even tell you they do not have insurance.If they get

hurt or hit something ,most of the time after that, they will get insurance.

Nobody thinks they don’t need insurance,there are just certain people who

don’t get it.A lot of time you can not dock in certain places without it.If we

had to have it on boats or you could not be on the water,some boaters could not

get insurance because of the condition of their boats.This would keep unsafe

off the water.

A lot of people do not realize if a person gets hurt on their boat,they may

sue them for every thing they have.Is not having insurance worth loosing your

house?If you think about what can happen to your friends if they got hurt while

on your boat without it,you may stop asking people to go boating with you.

If you really love boating and someone hits your boat without insurance,who

will pay to have your boat repaired?This alone should be a main reason to get it.

If someone stole your boat,do you have the money to buy another boat?It is a lot

better if the insurance company replaces it instead of you .

Boat Insurance – How to Steer Clear Of Getting Cheated

It does not matter if it is a fishing boat, a high speed ski boat, or any type of boat as long as it is the boat you have always wanted. You are so anxious to put it on the water you may forget a few necessary things that need to be taken care of. One of the most important things that you need to address immediately is the purchase of boat insurance. You have waited and dreamed of this day. You certainly want to protect your investment. The unfortunate thing is today some insurance agents will sell you another dream, and then when something does happen, you are left all alone and may be responsible for the entire amount yourself.

You do not want this to happen to you. So what do you need to do to keep from being an insurance agent victim? All boat owners should consider a few simple suggestions so they are not ripped off purchasing boat insurance.

First, you need to do your homework.

Now we do not mean the type of homework you did when you were in school. However, you do want to use every resource available to research boat insurance and boat insurance brokers. The Internet is a great place to start. Its wealth of information will help guarantee that you will not be ripped off when the time comes that you put your money down for the insurance policy.

At this point, we will give you a bit of a head start. Be sure to visit the site ambest.com/ratings/ which will assist you in researching a reputable insurance company and boat insurance broker. It rates insurance brokers and their strength financially.

A Brokers Reputation

Trusting the dream you have had for many years is not something you would want to do with someone who has a questionable reputation. One of the first things you may want to do is ask friends or family members that carry boat insurance themselves for recommendations and opinions. Service and reputation testimonials are the best source of information.

If you do not know of anyone who has boat insurance, you then must decide for yourself whom to trust your boat insurance needs with. First, try to choose a broker who puts your needs at the top of the priority list. They can do this by customizing a policy that fits your specific situation and has no hidden surprises. Try to find a boat insurance broker that has a good reputation of getting the best possible policies for his clients and a good record of doing what was promised, in the case of a claim.

Do not combine your boat insurance with your homeowners insurance. If a broker was to recommend this and you accepted it could lead to problems. If you were to make a claim, it may not be honored since more than likely there are limits what is covered and what is not. This is a broker you would not want to choose.

Summary:
Your dreamboat is worth not only a large monetary investment but also a lot of hope and hours of working hard to achieve. You want to make sure it is protected from all possible harm with a boat insurance provided by a broker who will not cheat you.

Choosing The Right Boat Insurance

As boating becomes more popular, increasing numbers of companies are supplying boat insurance. Confusion is often a result as owners try to find the best provider for their needs. Because competition can be fierce, insurance providers like to include aspects other companies do not have; however, each policy holder’s individual requirements will need to be met. Detailed below are some pointers which you should consider.

The financial stability of the company is paramount and it is quite a simple process inspecting the previous year’s accounts, as boat insurance arranged with a company with a poor financial record will render it useless. The easiest way to do this is by locating marine insurers of marine vessels online. Start by trying those with a good customer base as this is usually a good sign.

You may at some point need to contact the company regarding a claim, therefore receiving a speedy response is the sign of a good customer relations department and one that should be efficient and understanding. Most insurers of marine vessels should have a strong list of claims centers which should include emergency services, agencies and helpful representatives to serve you in times that you need them the most. The more claim centers a marine insurance company has, the better; this will contain authorized and specialist repairers plus what emergency services can be provided should anything happen to your craft.

The company’s reputation should be good and well established. Most companies will attempt to arrange mutually beneficial settlements which should be reflected in any online testimonials. All policies have a number of options and variations to choose from but they should ideally meet your needs and not those of the insurance provider.

Find out from customers just what they think of their provider. Good ones do not want their reputation tarnished so look for companies that pride themselves on the service they provide to customers. There are usually a number of coverage options available with any type of policy; look for an insurance provider that can supply the options you require as this will save you having to make separate arrangements.

Search for a boat insurance policy without compromising on quality or service – try comparing and analyzing the price of different providers before you finally commit to anything. Marine policies are never straightforward, so finding the right policy will not be as simple as regular home cover, for example. These are the most important points to keep in mind when you search for any boat insurance provider.

Focus on the most important aspects to reduce the list of potential companies as it is considerably simpler to check individual policy benefits once this has been carried out. Sticking to the points mentioned here should help save time and hopefully, money, because the last thing needed after signing the policy is to find there’s a problem with the marine insurance company.

Boat Insurance–Why You Must Have It

Any boat owner will tell you that owning a boat has elements of both responsibility and enjoyment. Responsibilities include maintaining your boat in good condition as well as sourcing a boat insurance policy to cover you and your vessel in case of a boating mishap. It is important to secure your asset against the vagaries of nature and mishap, rather than risk having to pay out a great deal of money to repair your boat in the unfortunate event of an accident. Taking out insurance cover on your boat makes sense when you consider the cost of repairs.

Insurance Cover In And Out Of The Water

Look for boat insurance that covers events that take place on the water as well as off the water, for example when your boat is being trailered or stored. It is worthwhile doing some research when choosing a boat insurance company to compare the best boat insurance rates and to get the maximum coverage. Boat insurance provides peace of mind but it will require comparing different policies to look at the amount as well as the type of insurance cover provided. Avoid basing your decision solely on the cost of the premiums which is a necessary comparison but should not be the overriding concern.

Generally, different types of boats will require different kinds of boat insurance and the cost of the insurance will depend on how little or how much you use the boat as well as how and where you use the boat and also whether the boat is owned outright or is being financed.

You will find that the majority of boat insurance policies will only cover your vessel while it remains within the borders of your country which means that if you want to take your boat overseas you need to find a different boat insurance provider. Nevertheless, most boat insurance should provide coverage for damage caused as a result of an accident. You may wish to also insure your boat trailer against damage or theft.

Do you already have home or car insurance with an insurance company that you are happy with? Try that company first for your boat insurance and you may discover that you are eligible for cheap boat insurance policy if you take out a additional cover with that company.