| When shopping for boat insurance, you may be | | | | expensive without this coverage. Don't make the |
| surprised to find that there are different types of boat | | | | mistake of thinking that something like this won't |
| insurance policies available. Many insurance companies | | | | happen to you! |
| will only offer one standard watercraft liability | | | | You should insure yourself against uninsured |
| coverage policy, while others will offer optional | | | | watercrafts as well. This works just like uninsured |
| coverage that you can purchase. In fact, if you have | | | | motorist insurance when you purchase coverage for |
| financed your boat, your lender may require you to | | | | your automobiles. If someone who does not have |
| carry specific optional coverage. There are several | | | | insurance - or adequate coverage - collides with your |
| different types of coverage that you can add to your | | | | boat on the water, your insurance will pay for the |
| policy. | | | | replacement of your boat, or for the needed repairs. |
| The standard insurance is the watercraft liability | | | | Towing and assistance coverage should also be |
| insurance coverage which is required by many states. | | | | strongly considered. Getting towed back to shore |
| This insurance will cover you in the event that damage | | | | often costs more than having a car towed to a |
| is caused to another person or another person's | | | | garage! Especially if you are out in the middle of the |
| property by actions taken with your boat - whether it | | | | ocean! You should also ask about coverage to |
| is during transport or on the water. Again, many states | | | | recover your boat and protect it from further damage |
| now require this liability coverage, and each state has | | | | after a mechanical failure or an accident. These costs |
| its own requirements as to how much liability coverage | | | | do indeed add up. Again, don't make the mistake of |
| you need to have. Check with your insurance agent to | | | | thinking that nothing bad will happen, and don't make |
| find out what you are required to have. | | | | the mistake of thinking that you cannot afford the |
| Watercraft medical payments coverage may also be | | | | coverage. If you can't afford the coverage, you |
| required in your state. This coverage pays the medical | | | | certainly won't be able to afford these expenses! |
| expenses, up to a specific amount, for you and any | | | | Most insurance policies should cover your boat, the |
| occupant of your boat which results from a covered | | | | motor, and the trailer used to transport the boat. |
| accident. Even if this insurance is not required, you | | | | Liability coverage isn't the only type of coverage that |
| should definitely consider it. Medical expenses are quite | | | | you need in most cases. You should make sure that |
| high. If you think that you cannot afford this coverage, | | | | you protect your boat, just as you protect your |
| think about whether or not you could afford the | | | | automobiles with coverage that includes theft and |
| medical bills you will have in the event of an accident | | | | vandalism, as well as losses caused by storms, fire, |
| without the coverage. | | | | sinking, capsizing, stranding, collision, and even |
| Wreck removal and pollution coverage should also be | | | | explosions. Talk with your insurance agent to find out |
| strongly considered. By law, if your vessel is wrecked | | | | what type of insurance is required by your state and |
| or sinks, you will be required to remove it. If oil or gas | | | | what type of coverage they offer. Also talk with your |
| leaks into the lake, river, or ocean, you will be fined - | | | | boat dealer and lender to find out what type of |
| just like the big oil companies are fined when they | | | | coverage you are required to have as well. |
| have spills in the ocean! These fines, as well as the | | | | CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005. |
| wreckage removal and spill cleanup can be quite | | | | |