Q.
How long has BoatUS been in the boat insurance business?
A. BoatUS has specialized
in boat insurance for over four decades.
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Q.
How many people work on boat insurance at BoatUS?
A. Over 200 BoatUS
staff members specialize in boat insurance, claims, underwriting,
emergency dispatch, customer service, accounts, policy issuance,
licensing, records management and more, to provide Members with
fast, professional service.
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Q.
Where do you provide insurance coverage?
A. Coverage is available
anywhere in the continental United States to boat owners with
a US address. Seasonal cruising extensions
are available to Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Mexico. Premium
discounts are available for selecting restricted cruising areas
such as the Chesapeake Bay or Puget Sound. Let us know where you
will be using your boat and we will match you to an appropriate
area at the best rate available.
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Q.
Am I required by law to have insurance on my boat?
A. To the best
of our knowledge there are no state or federal laws that require
a boat owner to have insurance on a boat. However, if you have
a loan using the boat as collateral the bank will require insurance
coverage listing them as a loss payee to cover their interest
in your boat. Some states may require that you carry liability
coverage, so please check with your local law agencies to see
if your state has any requirements. Also, most marinas will require
that you maintain boat insurance in order to keep your boat at
their facility.
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Q. What is
the minimum amount of insurance protection I should buy?
A. We offer liability
limits of $100,000, $300,000, $500,000 or in some cases $1,000,000.
If you have an umbrella or other excess liability policy, you
should make sure the Liability limit selected meets your needs.
You may also have a minimum liability limit for a slip rental
or storage agreement.
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Q.
How much does BoatUS boat insurance cost?
A. There are many
factors that go into determining the premium for your boat –
the amount of coverage you want, your boat's location, use, size,
age, power type along with your ownership and operating experience.
For a free quote, visit our online application or call 1-800-283-2883
to speak with an underwriter.
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Q.
Is Price the most important factor to consider when purchasing
boat insurance?
A. Not always. Unlike
auto or home insurance where most companies offer the exact same
coverage, boat insurance varies between companies. While the amount
you pay for insurance has to be a factor in the selection of your
protection package, it is more important to consider the types
of losses covered, how much you will collect in the event of a
loss, what assistance is available in an emergency, and what level
of service you will receive. The boat owner should select a carrier,
agent, and policy that meets their specific needs.
In most cases
this means not selecting a policy based on the price, but on what
you get in return. Even large differences in premium will be made
up quickly if you select an inadequate policy, an unknowledgeable
agent or an indifferent carrier.
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Q.
How can I save money on my boat insurance?
A. First and foremost,
choose a policy that best fits your boating needs. Some factors
that can influence your premium:
Cruising area -- Where
you cruise and when. It costs more to insure a boat in coastal
waters than inland lakes and rivers, especially in areas exposed
to hurricanes.
Boating safety education
-- You'll receive a discount from BoatUS Marine Insurance if
you complete a safety course that's been approved by the National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) or the
BoatUS course line.
Good driving records
-- Premium discounts are applied for clean driving records because
BoatUS believes that if you are responsible behind the wheel
of your automobile, you will also be responsible at the helm of
your boat.
Liability limits --
The higher the limit, the higher the cost.
The size of your deductible
-- The higher your deductible the lower your premium.
Keeping your
boat out of harms way -- Maintain your boat in a particularly
secure location - secure from extraordinary weather patterns such
as hurricanes, tornados, floods, etc. and/or secure from theft
or vandalism. Catastrophic loss from weather or thieves is a significant
cost factor in boat insurance.
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Q.
Are there discounts for successfully completing safe boating classes?
A. Yes. Premium
discounts are available with successful completion of any safe
boating courses approved by the National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). These include courses by
the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron, Red Cross, the online
course administered by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety
and others.
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Q.
What type of losses does your policy cover?
A. All BoatU.S.
Policies are "All Risk" policies which cover all external
causes of loss except those specifically excluded. Coverage includes
losses caused by hurricane, theft, flood, fire, sinking, collision,
etc.
For Agreed Hull Value Policies (Yacht Policy, Angler’s Best
and Angler’s Bass Boat Program), we will pay you the Agreed
Hull Value in the event of a total loss. Repairs for Partial Loss
on boating equipment are covered on a "new for old"
basis, although specific items are subject to depreciation. For
more information on what is covered for total and partial losses
for Yacht and Bass Boat policies, click
here.
For Actual Cash Value Policies (Boat Saver, PWC and Angler Boat
Saver), all covered property losses are subject to depreciation.
For more information on what is covered for total and partial
losses and the depreciation schedule for these policies, click
here.
If you wish to see a copy of the policy before you bind coverage,
ask your BoatUS insurance specialist to send a sample with your
quote.
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Q.
What is included in the Hull and Machinery part of the policy?
A. The BoatUS Yacht,
Boat Saver, PWC and Angler policies provide coverage for the hull
and machinery --engines, outboards, generators, etc., equipment
and accessories used in the normal navigation, safe operation
and routine maintenance of the boat, as well as any furnishings
built into the boat.
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Q.
What does the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) section of the
policy include?
A. The liability
section of the policy is called Protection and Indemnity (P&I)
and provides coverage for any property damage or bodily injury
you are responsible for, up to the policy limits. It also provides
for defense if you are sued by a third party. This section of
the BoatUS policy also includes important features such as liability
coverage for operating a friend's boat, and coverage for removal
and disposal of a wrecked boat.
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Q.
How do you handle claims?
A. Fast, fair and
with a focus on making sure you and your boat are handled with
care. Policyholders can call BoatUS to speak one-on-one with
experienced claims specialists 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Depending on the nature of the claim, the specialist will provide
specific instructions about what steps to take from that point
forward. You may also file a claim online using our Claims First
Report and an adjustor will follow up.
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Q.
How does your insurance program help me in the event of an emergency,
such as a sinking, grounding or accidental fuel spill?
A. The BoatUS
24-Hour Emergency Dispatch Hotline will give you immediate assistance
in making the necessary arrangements to protect your property,
such as dispatching salvage operators or sending out pollution
control professionals. When there has been significant damage
or injury, local surveyors and investigators will be assigned.
In catastrophe situations (hurricanes, major flood, etc.) the
BoatUS “CAT" Team is flown into the area to expedite
salvage and claims processing.
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Q.
Is towing coverage provided by the BoatUS Policy?
A. Yes, excellent coverage, but like any towing service provided through insurance policies, it has conditions and limitations.
However, BoatU.S. Members shouldn’t be concerned by the policy limitations because, for a low annual fee, BoatU.S. - the Association - offers “Unlimited” towing that provides more service from our outstanding fleet.
The insurance policy pays a maximum of $250 per event and $500 per year. The Association’s “Unlimited” Towing service has no event or annual limits – and requires no direct payment by the boat owner. The Association takes care of the entire bill.
If you breakdown on the water, the insurance policy tows you only to the nearest safe harbor. “Unlimited” towing pays to take you back to your home port, a repair facility or any desired location within the BoatU.S. service area.
And while insurance policies limit the towing benefit to only the insured boat, the Association’s “Unlimited” towing service covers any boat you own, borrow or charter.
Service not only includes towing for breakdowns on the water, but battery jumpstarts, fuel drops and soft ungroundings as well. And the BoatU.S. toll-free dispatch center is open 24/7 so help is always just a phone or VHF radio call away.
So yes, the insurance policy’s towing coverage does the job within these limits, but for a few extra dollars, you can have total peace-of-mind out on the water or the road with the “Unlimited” towing service offered through the Association. Unlimited roadside assistance while trailering your boat is also available through your BoatU.S. Membership.
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Q.
Can I get a quote today?
A. If you need a
quote immediately call us at 1-800-283-2883 between 8:00 a.m.
and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, ET. Or visit our online application 24/7. In most cases,
we will provide you with a firm, actionable quote - not a ballpark
figure like some other insurance companies.
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Q.
How do I start coverage if I like your quote?
A. If you would
like to bind online simply click on “Bind Coverage”
icon and follow the instructions or call our office at 1-800-283-2883
and tell us when to start coverage. Payment can then be made by
credit card or check. To start coverage by mail, follow the directions
on the Quote Reply Form you received by mail.
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Q.
Is BoatUS Membership required to get an insurance quote?
A. You don't need
to be a Member of BoatUS to get a quote. However, should you
decide to bind coverage, you will need to join one of the BoatUS
Membership Programs. This can be arranged at the same time you
initiate your insurance coverage and can be included in your
premium.
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Q.
Is there an extended payment plan?
A. Yes. The extended
payment plan requires a down payment of 30%. The balance is billed
in eight (8) equal monthly installments. Each installment includes
a $5.00 handling charge.
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Q. I am planning a trip to Mexico with my boat.
Is my boat still covered by your policy and do I need a cruising
extension?
A.
Unless you have purchased a Bass Boat policy, all boats insured
through the BoatUS program will need a cruising extension in
order to provide coverage when venturing into Mexico. However,
this extension will only cover the physical damage to your boat.
All boats (including those with a Bass Boat policy) are required
under Mexican Law to have liability insurance issued through a
Mexican Insurance Company. Without it, you could face serious
consequences including fines, impoundment and/or imprisonment.
As explained in the Policy section of the website, we are working
in partnership with a bona-fide Mexican insurer who can provide
this liability coverage for both your boat and car online.
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