Summer in California is the best time to be out on your boat, yachts and skidoos in California, and boat insurance will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy the experience. If you have a boat or have considered buying one, boat insurance will protect your from any physical property damage as well as any legal or financial consequences from damaging another person’s property to injuring others on the boat.

Unfortunately, choosing the right boat insurance policy can be like navigating through very choppy and murky waters with details you’ve never considered. Atlas Plus Insurance wants you to have the best experience on the water this summer, so here are a few tips to keep you and your friends safe on the waves.

Here Are 6 Tips for Smooth Sailing Through the Summer

  1. Use an experienced marine insurance agent who is experienced with the differences in various the risks involved in order to craft a customized watercraft policy and can advise you on which companies offer the best claim service. There will be less chance of exposures being overlooked, such as crew, navigation, manufacturer’s defects and more.
  2. Boat insurance, much like other kinds of insurance, may have geographical limits to coverage. Be sure to ask about these limitations when you speak with your agent since it can mean the difference between having a claim paid and being left with no wind in your sails from a denial of coverage.
  3. Protect yourself from uninsured boaters. Unlike auto insurance, California has no legal requirements for boat owners to have boat insurance before hitting the water. Uninsured boater insurance can protect your boat from damage as well as you and your passengers from injuries. Don’t leave the marina without it!
  4. Make It Clear Who Will Be Operating the Boat. Some policies work on the assumption that only you will be driving your boat, but this may not always be the case. Your spouse could take control of the wheel for a few minutes, for example, or you could have a friend that you bring on fishing trips operate your boat. Your boat insurance policy may not cover multiple operators, so discuss with your insurance agent who will be driving the boat and what coverage you’ll need in that instance
  5. Water-skiing, wave running and other water sports are a lot of fun, but just like every other motor sport, they come with a great deal of danger. If something goes wrong and your boat is involved, you may be held liable, even if you couldn’t prevent what occurred. Water sport liability coverage lets you know you can have fun on the water and have the comfort of knowing you are covered no matter what happens, absent any acts that may be specifically excluded by your policy.
  6. Always report any possible claim to your agent immediately. You can always withdraw a claim and not have it count against you upon renewal. When an accident occurs, take pictures of all of the damage and write down the sequence of events (to the best of your knowledge) that took place before, during and after the incident.

How can I save money on boat insurance?

Now that you know more about purchasing boat insurance, let’s find some savings.

  • Purchase a specific policy. Don’t buy a yacht policy if you own a dinghy. Policies can be designed for a number of watercraft, including powerboats, sailboats, houseboats, classic Chris crafts, fishing boats, personal watercraft (i.e. waverunners and jet skis) and so on, each with its own price structure and set of features. Ask your agent to shop for a specific policy for your situation.
  • Go all-in on safety features to take advantage of potential policy discounts. Gadgets such as wireless auto tethers that act as an engine kill switch should the skipper or any of the passengers fall overboard and GPS can help protect your investment from preventable accidents.
  • A trained boater is a safer boater, so take a boating class. Ask your agent for discount-qualifying classes in the southern California area.
  • Extend your lay-up period. If you don’t use your personal watercraft or boat all year-round, ask your insurer about lay-up periods to save premiums when you’re not using your boat.
  • Consider raising your deductible. Sometimes raising the threshold of your financial responsibility in the event of a claim will bring you savings on premium payments.