Five Common Insurance Mistakes Can Sink Boats’ Finances

As action on the water heats up, here’s some advice we offer clients.

As boating season starts to heat up once again, we see clients who are re-evaluating their boat insurance needs, and looking to us for advice.

There are five common mistakes boat owners make with their insurance coverage. Whether they believe they do not need insurance because they own their boat, or because the boat isn’t physically in the water during the off-season, there are widespread misconceptions about when boat insurance coverage is necessary. Any boater should have some type of coverage to protect themselves financially for the long term.

Helping customers avoid the most frequent mistakes will help our boaters on a course towards getting the best value and protection. They are:

1. Dropping Coverage – Clients sometimes drop coverage when their boat is paid off. But boat insurance covers more than just the vessel – it covers personal injuries, environmental cleanup and liability issues that could occur out on the water. And boating without any insurance coverage creates a large financial exposure that could ruin any family’s finances.
2. Picking on Price – As wallets tighten, insurance clients are more tempted than ever to shop for coverage based on price alone. But paying a little more for a policy could bring significant added value to customers. For example, paying less for insurance could mean a lower policy limit and less coverage. It is also important to fit customers with a boat insurance policy from a carrier that has strong financial ratings.
3. Reducing Liability – Clients sometimes opt to lower their liability or other limits to save on monthly premium costs. We help boaters identify the amount of coverage they need to protect other personal assets. It doesn’t make sense for them to have too much coverage and by helping them avoid having too little, we are looking out for their best interests.
4. Unaffordable Deductibles – As with any insurance product, it’s a mistake for clients to choose deductibles they can’t afford. Choosing a higher deductible may be a good way for customers to save on monthly premium costs. However, we help make sure they choose a deductible they can afford in the event of a claim.
5. Off-Season Cancelations – Many boat owners will intentionally cancel their coverage during the off-season. This over-looks many risks that could damage the boat when it’s not in the water. Dropping coverage could leave the boat owner exposed if the boat is damaged in a fire at the storage facility or if a tree crushes the boat parked in the driveway thanks to a winter ice storm.

Many boat owners may not realize their boat insurance coverage protects them from a lot more than just damage to their own boat.

- Uncle "D"