Whether youre on the water every weekend, or just the summer holidays, our Boat program gives you far more than the basics.
Adding your boat to your homeowners policy may not be the insurance solution you intend, especially if you want an agreed value or replacement cost settlement. Our boat policy gives you separate liability protection, higher limits, and many more options such as emergency assistance, protection from uninsured or underinsured boats, loss of fishing gear, and more.
Boat insurance helps protect your investment by providing coverage for physical damage to your boat, liability if you cause injury or property damage to others, and a variety of optional coverages depending on your policy. Most policies cover risks such as collisions, theft, vandalism, fire, lightning, sinking, and certain weather-related events.
Many boat owners also choose optional coverages for personal belongings, fishing equipment, towing assistance, fuel spill liability, wreck removal, and uninsured boater protection to provide more complete protection while on the water.
Virginia law generally does not require boat owners to carry insurance for recreational vessels. However, many marinas, lenders, and yacht clubs require proof of insurance before allowing a boat to be financed, stored, or docked at their facilities.
Even when insurance isn't legally required, having coverage can help protect you from potentially significant repair costs and liability claims following an accident.
Boat insurance is available for many types of recreational watercraft, including fishing boats, pontoon boats, bass boats, center consoles, ski boats, wake boats, bowriders, deck boats, personal watercraft, sailboats, cruisers, and many larger recreational vessels.
Your insurance agent can help determine the best coverage options based on your boat's size, value, horsepower, and how you use it.
Yes. Most boat insurance policies provide coverage if your boat is stolen or damaged during an attempted theft. Coverage may also extend to permanently attached equipment such as electronics, trolling motors, anchors, and navigation systems, depending on your policy.
Keeping your boat secured, using anti-theft devices, and storing it in a protected location may help reduce your risk of theft and could qualify you for certain insurance discounts.
Most boat insurance policies cover damage caused by storms, including wind, hail, lightning, and falling objects, provided the loss results from a covered event. Damage caused by hurricanes or named storms may be subject to special deductibles or policy conditions depending on your insurer and location.
Understanding your policy's storm provisions before severe weather occurs can help you prepare your boat and avoid unexpected surprises during the claims process.
Boat liability insurance helps pay for bodily injury or property damage if you're found legally responsible for an accident while operating your boat. It may also help cover legal defense costs if you're sued following a covered boating accident.
Choosing higher liability limits can provide additional financial protection, especially for boat owners who frequently entertain guests or operate in busy waterways.
Many boat insurance policies offer optional towing and on-water emergency assistance coverage. This coverage can help pay for emergency towing if your boat becomes disabled due to mechanical failure, dead batteries, fuel shortages, or other covered situations.
Considering the cost of marine towing services, many boat owners find this optional coverage to be an excellent value.
Boat insurance premiums are influenced by several factors, including the boat's age, value, length, horsepower, type, storage location, navigation area, claims history, boating experience, safety equipment, and the coverages and deductibles you choose.
Completing a boating safety course, storing your boat in a secure location, and maintaining a clean claims history may help reduce your insurance premium.
Many policies provide limited coverage for personal property carried aboard the boat, including fishing rods, tackle, life jackets, electronics, coolers, and other recreational equipment. Coverage limits vary depending on the insurance company and policy you purchase.
If you regularly carry expensive fishing gear or marine electronics, additional coverage may be available to better protect your investment.
It's a good idea to review your boat insurance every year and whenever you make significant changes to your vessel. Upgrading electronics, installing a new engine, purchasing expensive accessories, changing where you store your boat, or expanding your cruising area may all affect your insurance needs.
An annual review helps ensure your policy continues to provide the right amount of protection while taking advantage of any new discounts or coverage options that may be available.
What is your boat worth? That is where we start.
If you want Comprehensive and Collision, you need to ask yourself, or the internet, what will it take to go buy that same year, make and model (and trailer and motor too). That is what you insure the boat for.
Then think about liability... what's the worse that can happen on the water. Tough one.
The majority of boat polices carry around $100,000 for liability. This means that if you hurt someone - or their boat, you have $100,000 to protect you.
Sounds like a lot - except a new 25 foot Sea Ray out on Lake Gaston costs about $125,000