When you’re out on the water, it may seem like all is right in the world. With the sun shining, the wind in your hair, and waves lapping up against your vessel, it may seem like nothing could go wrong. Unfortunately, boating accidents happen far too often and can cost owners thousands in repairs and liability. Our goal is to make sure you never find yourself in over your head. Whether you are a commercial fisherman, a leisure cruiser, or a sailor, we here at Lillie-Couch Insurance want to help you get the coverage you need.
Types of Wisconsin Boat Insurance
If you have other types of insurance, such as home or auto, the language in a boat policy may sound familiar. It typically includes a combination of coverage and protections, including:
Boat Liability
This coverage is designed to pay medical bills, repair bills, and more if you injure someone or cause damage to another person’s property in a boating accident.
Medical Payments
If you or your passengers are injured on the water, medical payments insurance helps cover medical bills regardless of who was responsible for the accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Boater
The odds of being hit by an uninsured boater are higher than you might think. The chances of being hit by a boater with insufficient coverage are even higher. If you sustain injuries in an accident caused by a boater with no insurance or poor coverage, your uninsured and underinsured boater protection can help cover your medical expenses.
Physical Damages Insurance
If your boat is damaged, destroyed, or stolen, your collision and comprehensive insurance coverage can help cover the losses. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your boat if you collide with another watercraft or with an object, such as a dock. Comprehensive insurance covers the damages or loss of your boat if it is stolen or damaged by other types of events, such as inclement weather or fire. Both collision and comprehensive insurance require policy-holders to pay a deductible for claims. You can choose to insure your boat for its agreed value (may cover the cost of a new vessel) or its actual value (accounts for depreciation).
Special Equipment Coverage
Whether you are an avid fisherman, you know how expensive fishing equipment can be. We can offer coverage specifically for special equipment that is carried on your boat.
Pollution Liability and Wreckage Removal
Wrecking your boat can create a liability headache if it spills fuel, oil, and other pollutants into the water. Pollution liability and wreckage removal insurance help cover the cost of retrieving your vessel and cleaning up after the accident.
Towing and Labor
When your boat breaks down on the water or you run out of fuel, the cost of towing or labor may be covered if you have this important coverage included on your boat insurance policy.
Coverage for Your Boat – Not Your Home
Some boaters may believe they are covered by a homeowners policy for accidents involving a watercraft. While there may be some limited coverage available, it is likely to be very restrictive and will probably only include incomplete protection designed for small, non-motorized boats. If you have a motorized boat or a vessel worth several thousand dollars, your homeowners coverage probably isn’t cutting it. After all, a boat has nothing to do with a home; it is a unique asset that needs its own policy to ensure adequate protection.
Boat Insurance Quotes
If you own a boat, we want to help you get coverage that protects you, your boat, and your passengers. Contact us today to request your free quote. We look forward to serving you soon.
