According to a report by the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,730 boating accidents resulting in $36 million in property damages in 2009. While accidents decreased about 1.2 percent from 2008, there were still more than enough accidents that the general boating community should be concerned about following proper safety guidelines and buying the right kind of insurance coverage for their vessels.
Boat Safety Tips
Boat safety tips can vary based on the type of boat you own, however three basic safety tips can help any boater avoid accident and injury.
- Always wear a life jacket: The North American Safe Boating Campaign suggests choosing a life jacket style based on the activities that you are going to take part in as you wear it. That way you can wear the most comfortable and effective jacket for that particular activity.
- Don't drink and drive: Boats are like cars at sea, and drivers still need to be in control of all their faculties in order to properly operate them. While passengers on the boat may decide to drink (while wearing life vests) the driver should always abstain.
- Boat in familiar waters: GPS devices might make you feel more free in exploring, but staying in waters you are familiar with will help you keep yourself and your passengers safe while preventing accidents from boating on unfamiliar terrain and will prevent you from getting lost in the event of GPS failure.
Insurance Options
Just as with auto insurance, boat insurance offers the option to buy many different types of coverage, including:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured and underinsured watercraft
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
- Medical payments
- Roadside assistance
But boats do have different needs than automobiles so there are also some special coverages designed just for boat owners, such as:
- On-water towing
- Personal effects (like contents coverage in a home insurance policy)
- Fishing equipment coverage (this is a separate coverage from personal effects)
- Repair cost endorsement (an endorsement to a boat insurance policy that covers repair work on your boat)
- Boat trailer coverage
Understanding your insurance options is just half the battle. To actually have the tools to fight in the battle, you need to meet with an agent and begin the process of getting coverage. Boat often, boat safely, and boat protected with the right boat insurance.
Find out more about Miami Insurance by contacting Allstar Insurance Agency today!