3 Sources on How to Get Boat Insurance

By Andy Whitcomb

Sep 13, 2018

Here are a few places to learn more on obtaining boat insurance. Unfortunately boats can cause, or become damaged.

Unfortunately, sometimes our property gets damaged. And a boat, even in storage or on a trailer, is not immune.  Storms, theft, collisions, or fires are good reasons to look into boat owners insurance.  Liability fishing boat insurance may be required to be accepted at some marinas, or if you operate in an area with heavy boat traffic, this will help protect against lawsuits from damage that may have occurred due to your boat.

Price of coverage, of course, is a big determining factor with boat insurance.  And it is difficult to imagine for every possible thing that can go wrong, but take your time and read the fine print. For example, it looks like most boat insurance will not cover damage from sharks. Maybe something to keep in mind before starting your next chum line. Remember to always have your boat registration up to date.
 

  1. When investigating how to get boat insurance, a good place to start may be to check with the agent that currently handles your insurance for car and/or home. They will be able to explain all of the details and various policies available, deductible amounts, and what is covered. For example, if you have a canoe or an older, small, slow boat, perhaps with just an electric trolling motor, you are less likely to cause damage to others and your homeowners insurance may already have you covered. There also may be discounts offered to a safe boater, such as those who, while learning how to boat, completed a boat safety course.
  2. You won’t have to look hard on the internet to locate other competitive boat owner’s insurance companies. Here, you’ll be able to investigate when you are “in the mood” and on your schedule. Another tip regarding how to get boat insurance is to be sure to read customer reviews. How well does the company rank as far as accessibility for claim service? Did they make it clear about what equipment was or was not covered such as anchors, tools, or electronics?
  3. Another good source of information is other boaters. Though this is not as exciting of a conversation starter as asking about how the fish are biting, but it just may prevent some financial headaches.
Price of coverage, of course, is a big determining factor with boat insurance.  And it is difficult to imagine for every possible thing that can go wrong, but take your time and read the fine print. For example, it looks like most boat insurance will not cover damage from sharks. Maybe something to keep in mind before starting your next chum line. Remember to always have your boat registration up to date.
 
Andy Whitcomb
Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.