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What is Boat or Watercraft Insurance?

Business Insurance Liability Insurance Boat Insurance

If you love to get out on the water, whether on a tinny up the river, a jet ski at the beach, or a sleek yacht moored at a marina, you need to make sure you’ve got the right insurance in place for your recreational watercraft and your liability on the water.

A boat or watercraft insurance does two things - protect your watercraft against physical damage or loss, and provide liability for injury to third parties or damage to third party property as a result of your negligence on the water.

What types of watercraft can I insure?

When it comes to recreational watercraft, there is a cover out there for just about everything that can go on water;

Runabouts
Yachts
Catamaran
Jet skis
Cruisers
Trailer Sailors
Off beach dinghy’s
Pontoon boats

Comprehensive Cover

Gives you accidental damage, vandalism or malicious damage, and includes theft of the boat, motor and trailer while on the water, on the road, or while being stored. Comprehensive cover also includes capsizing and impact, and includes cover for your boating accessories and attachments, including navigational and electronic and safety equipment, and even tenders.

Most policies offer a New for Old replacement benefit (where the boat is under a certain age) and there are usually benefits for towing costs after an accident, rescue services, and other handy added benefits.

Insurers often include the option of Lay-Up cover for those months you’re not using your watercraft, which can help reduce your premium. Lay-Up restricts cover to your storage address, for on-land insured events (like theft, storm damage, malicious damage etc), so you’re not paying for covers you don’t need while the watercraft is not in use.

Liability Cover

Protects you in the event you cause damage to another person's property or you injure someone while boating or on the water. This includes water skiing and other recreational activities, however this is often an optional cover and needs to be requested.

Working with an experienced broker is the easiest way to find the most appropriate cover for your watercraft and boating needs.

Give me a call to discuss your next renewal or new watercraft purchase.

General Advice Warning: This advice is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and your personal circumstances. Before you make any decision about whether to acquire a certain product, you should obtain and read the relevant product disclosure statement.

All information above has been provided by the author.

Laura Meyer, MeyerInsure, ABN 87 340 928 486, AFSL 233750

This article originally appeared on MeyerInsure - Blog and has been published here with permission.