Does Home Insurance Cover Fallen Trees?
Texas is famous for its waterways in Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. Austinites enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating in the state capital. Spring has arrived and like many folks we love recreational outdoor activities on the rivers and lakes. From camping to boating on Lake Travis, to hiking and tubing on Guadalupe River; when you live close to the water’s edge then you know it is the season to make a splash plan.
With the rising cost of boat ownership, it is essential for boat owners to be aware of what type of coverage they have and what is or is not covered by your home insurance policy. Operating a boat comes with a fair amount of liability risk exposure not just to others but also you. If you own a boat, it is subject to damage due to water accident, storm, fire, flood, or theft. Will your insurance cover these expenses or will you be responsible for paying them? Let's take a look at what a typical homeowner insurance policy will cover and what a boat insurance policy will cover.
8 Reasons to Request a Customized Boat Quote
Boat insurance is also known as Personal WaterCraft insurance (PWC) and can include other types of vessels such as jet skis, pontoon, catamaran, fishing, jet ski and bass boats. The state of Texas requires you follow boating operational procedures and maintain the required or appropriate liability insurance limits for your type of vessel. Liability coverage is similar to what you would purchase if you were an auto driver and obtaining required vehicle insurance. This type of boat policy will help protect you from the cost of lawsuits if someone is injured in an accident caused by your negligence. Full coverage physical damage Boat insurance is not required for all boats.
Off the water, you may be able to insure a small watercraft on your homeowner’s policy when stored in garage or carport at your primary property residence if it meets underwriting or policy requirements. Typical homeowners’ policy provides liability coverage for low-horsepower outboard-motor-powered boats. If you have a jet drive, ski or bass boat, inboard outdrive, or stern drive, you will receive NO coverage from the homeowners policy. Your home insurance also does not offer coverage for pollution liability, wreckage removal, damage to your boat, towing, emergency assistance, and many of the other great coverages a custom watercraft policy provides. Your personal Britton and Britton insurance broker can help you answer questions and understand the risks.
Horsepower driven, more valuable and expensive vessels will need a separate boat insurance for liability, physical damage to the hull, motor, ski or fishing equipment and trailer. When financing a boat, the lender will want to confirm you have insurance to protect against physical damage for the boat hull and trailer. If you dock your cruiser at a marina, you may be required to have a specialty boat policy for boaters’ liability. If your personal watercraft is stolen from a marina or storage facility you would also need separate theft insurance for a PWC in the form of a boat insurance policy.
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Overall, homeowners’ insurance alone will not provide sufficient coverage for boatowners. A comprehensive broad boat insurance policy should include Bodily injury & property damage liability (BI/PD), Uninsured/underinsured boater (UB/UIB, and may include Fuel spill, Full replacement cost, Wreckage removal, boat roadside assistance, Water sports coverage. There are optional coverages available to provide additional protection such as; Total loss replacement, Progressive Sign & Glide on-water towing, Safeco Captain's Package, Travelers Carefree Boating Insurance package, ski and fishing equipment or carry-on items, Propulsion mechanical breakdown coverage, Comprehensive and collision coverage, Medical payments, Trailer and trip interruption.
What does boat insurance not cover?
Generally it does not cover maintenance or general wear and tear from deterioration, use or age and including gradual weathering from elements and corrosion from salt, insect damage, mold, or damage from animals or marine life. Otherwise, boat insurance policy is an excellent way to protect your investment and will make it easier for you to get back on the water.
Clients may qualify for discounts on your insurance boat quote rate. With some carriers you will save on your premiums when you complete a boating safety course and class offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron. Longevity and experienced Boat Ownership Credit. Bundle and save. You qualify for a discount when you insure more than one vessel or carry an auto, motorcycle, home, condo, or renters’ policy with Britton and Britton Insurance agency. Contact us or click here to start your quote now.
Related Articles
More on Personal Watercraft (PWC), Insurance, regulations and local lakes.
Safety – Boating Water Safety Act
Regulations – Recreational Boating Laws in Texas
Lady Bird Lake , Lake Travis and Lake Walter E. Long
Please note: Above descriptions are meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. Information is illustrative and may not apply to your situation and is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.
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