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Insurance can be very confusing for those of us who are not in the insurance business.

Often, our insurance agents start babbling about liability, comprehensive coverage, third party liability, and more - and we feel like they are speaking a language we have never heard before. Well - in a sense they are.

Again, it is very confusing to those who are not in the insurance business. Unfortunately, if you are to get the coverage that you need, at a price you can afford, you must start learning some of the terminology.

For instance, many people do not understand what the difference between third party liability insurance and full coverage insurance is. Third party liability coverage and full coverage insurance are much the same, but in other ways they are uniquely different. Before you determine which one you need, it is important to understand exactly what each type of coverage is.

Third Party Liability Coverage is essentially coverage that protects you in the event of an accident that is your fault.

It generally covers other people and their property that is damaged in a covered accident. It does not cover you, your passengers, your boat, your motor, or your trailer. Furthermore, third party liability coverage only goes into effect if your boat is in an accident that occurred when the boat was being used in a private capacity, as opposed to a commercial capacity.

Third party liability coverage is required by most states, and each state will have its own requirements as to the minimum liability coverage amounts that you have.

This type of insurance is generally required whether your boat is financed or not. Third party liability insurance coverage is often simply referred to as liability insurance, or in the case of boats, watercraft liability insurance. Talk to your agent to find out how much coverage is required in your state.

Full coverage insurance, on the other hand, will cover you, your boat, your motor, your trailer, and your passengers.

It is often referred to as comprehensive insurance, and it is available in different coverage amounts, with different options that are available for the policy. This type of insurance will be required by most lenders who finance boats, and most lenders will have their own requirements as to which optional insurance is purchased.

Essentially, what it comes down to is that third party liability insurance coverage protects other people and their property in the event of an accident that is your fault, while full coverage insurance protects you and your property - in the same way that the third party insurance protects others.

In fact, full coverage insurance will cover you whether the accident was your fault, someone else’s fault, or even no-fault. In most cases, it is in your best interest to have both third party liability insurance coverage - which is required - as well as full coverage insurance - which may be required if you have financed your boat.

Again, even if the boat has not been financed, you should strongly consider purchasing a full coverage or comprehensive policy. Many people even continue to carry the full coverage policy long after the boat has been paid off.

Boat repairs are expensive, and anything can happen.

Most full coverage policies will cover you in the event of mechanical failure, theft, and vandalism, as well as losses caused by storms, fires, explosions, sinking, and much more. Talk with your insurance agent to find out about the different options available for full coverage policies, and make sure that you get the coverage that you need!

CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005.

Ian D. Major makes it easy to understand Boat Insurance, quickly and easily. Learn all you need to know by visiting Why You Need Boat Insurance an entirely FREE source of information about Boat Insurance.

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If you have a boat, you need boat insurance!

Shopping for boat insurance is a bit different from shopping for car insurance, even though the concept is much the same. Boat insurance will protect you against losses incurred while operating your boat, and while transporting your boat. Most boat insurance includes coverage for the boat, the motor, and the trailer.

When shopping for boat insurance, it is usually best to start with the insurance company that insures your cars and your home. Insurance companies usually give deep discounts to their current customers. Most insurance companies will also give deep discounts to people who have successfully completed a boating safety course.

Ask each insurance company that you contact about such discounts. In most cases, they won’t tell you about the discounts unless you specifically ask.

Don’t settle for the rate that your current insurance company quotes! Just get the quote, and tell them you will call them back soon. Using that quote as your base, you need to see if you can get the insurance cheaper elsewhere.

Using online resources is a great way to start. Get the quotes, and then contact the agents personally to see if you can work out a better deal. Believe it or not, insurance companies will compete with each other for your business. Don’t be afraid to tell them the lowest quote that you have been given so far - make them work for your business!

Know what type of insurance you want and need before contacting any agents. Some agents will try to sell you too much insurance, causing your premiums to skyrocket, while others aren’t as knowledgeable about the insurance needs of boat owners and won’t sell you enough coverage!

You should be protected against losses caused by sinking, fire, storms, theft, capsizing, stranding, collision, and explosion. The policy should cover anchors, oars, trolling motors, fuel tanks, seat cushions, skis, tow ropes, dinghies, tools, canopies, life preservers, and any equipment that is permanently attached to the boat.

The different types of insurance that you need include Watercraft Liability, Watercraft medical payments, Newly acquired watercraft coverage, coverage for repairs, coverage for emergency services, and coverage for wreck removal. In most states, the liability coverage entails Watercraft Liability and Watercraft Medical Payments.

Watercraft liability will protect you in the event of an accident that results from the ownership, maintenance, or use of your boat. It should include bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, and even legal defense coverage. It should also protect anyone who drives your boat, as long as they were legally allowed to drive the vessel.

Watercraft Medical payments coverage will pay medical expenses up to specific limits for you and the occupants of your boat in the even of an accident.

Other types of coverage are usually voluntary, but should be strongly considered. There is quite a bit that can happen when you transport or operate a water vessel, and protecting yourself legally should be a high priority!

Again, know what you want in terms of coverage before you talk to an agent, and make sure that you get the coverage that you need.

Compare rates online, and then contact the agents that offer you the lowest quotes. Attend a boating safety course, and make sure that you get that discount! Once you’ve found lower rates than the original quote that your current insurance company offered you, call them back and let them know that you found a lower rate. See if they can compete - in many cases they will offer to match that rate, just to keep your business! Again - make them work for your business!

CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005.

Ian D. Major makes it easy to understand Boat Insurance, quickly and easily. Learn all you need to know by visiting Why You Need Boat Insurance an entirely FREE source of information about Boat Insurance.

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When shopping for boat insurance, you may be surprised to find that there are different types of boat insurance policies available. Many insurance companies will only offer one standard watercraft liability coverage policy, while others will offer optional coverage that you can purchase. In fact, if you have financed your boat, your lender may require you to carry specific optional coverage. There are several different types of coverage that you can add to your policy.

The standard insurance is the watercraft liability insurance coverage which is required by many states. This insurance will cover you in the event that damage is caused to another person or another person’s property by actions taken with your boat - whether it is during transport or on the water. Again, many states now require this liability coverage, and each state has its own requirements as to how much liability coverage you need to have. Check with your insurance agent to find out what you are required to have.

Watercraft medical payments coverage may also be required in your state. This coverage pays the medical expenses, up to a specific amount, for you and any occupant of your boat which results from a covered accident. Even if this insurance is not required, you should definitely consider it. Medical expenses are quite high. If you think that you cannot afford this coverage, think about whether or not you could afford the medical bills you will have in the event of an accident without the coverage.

Wreck removal and pollution coverage should also be strongly considered. By law, if your vessel is wrecked or sinks, you will be required to remove it. If oil or gas leaks into the lake, river, or ocean, you will be fined - just like the big oil companies are fined when they have spills in the ocean! These fines, as well as the wreckage removal and spill cleanup can be quite expensive without this coverage. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something like this won’t happen to you!

You should insure yourself against uninsured watercrafts as well. This works just like uninsured motorist insurance when you purchase coverage for your automobiles. If someone who does not have insurance - or adequate coverage - collides with your boat on the water, your insurance will pay for the replacement of your boat, or for the needed repairs.

Towing and assistance coverage should also be strongly considered. Getting towed back to shore often costs more than having a car towed to a garage! Especially if you are out in the middle of the ocean! You should also ask about coverage to recover your boat and protect it from further damage after a mechanical failure or an accident. These costs do indeed add up. Again, don’t make the mistake of thinking that nothing bad will happen, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you cannot afford the coverage. If you can’t afford the coverage, you certainly won’t be able to afford these expenses!

Most insurance policies should cover your boat, the motor, and the trailer used to transport the boat. Liability coverage isn’t the only type of coverage that you need in most cases. You should make sure that you protect your boat, just as you protect your automobiles with coverage that includes theft and vandalism, as well as losses caused by storms, fire, sinking, capsizing, stranding, collision, and even explosions. Talk with your insurance agent to find out what type of insurance is required by your state and what type of coverage they offer. Also talk with your boat dealer and lender to find out what type of coverage you are required to have as well.

CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005.

Ian D. Major makes it easy to understand Boat Insurance, quickly and easily. Learn all you need to know by visiting Why You Need Boat Insurance an entirely FREE source of information about Boat Insurance.

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