Boat Insurance Near Me: Finding the Best Carrier | InsureOne (2024)

Boating can be very exciting, and there is nothing quite like the feel of the sun on your face as your vessel rides the waves. A good watercraft can be very expensive, and that is why it is important to protect it with high-quality boat insurance. You must be strategic about your policy, though. Get too little coverage, and you could be making a costly mistake. Get coverage from an unreliable carrier, and you might end up paying expensive premiums that do not offer the level of protection you need.

Fortunately, you can get the coverage you need without overpaying. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know to find the best boat insurance in your area.

Why Do You Need Boat Insurance?

Simply put, you need protection for your vessel for the same reason you need it for your car: to protect against unexpected events and accidents. What does boat insurance cover? While the exact policy may vary from carrier to carrier, you can typically get the same protections for your vessel that you get for your automobile in the form of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, plus a few extras specific to watercraft.

For example, despite the vastness of the ocean and your local lakes and rivers, it is entirely possible your vessel accidentally collides with another vessel, a swimmer, the dock, or even floating debris. In such cases, liability protection helps pay for the damage you cause and, if needed, your legal fees if you get taken to court.

You can also get collision and comprehensive coverage for your watercraft. Collision helps to pay for your repairs regardless of who was at fault for an accident. That gives you peace of mind that a single incident will not ruin your sailing dreams. Comprehensive, meanwhile, protects the ship even when you are not aboard, which is great if you are worried about things like vandalism and theft.

Ocean of Options: Types of Watercraft Coverage

Another way automobile and marine insurance are similar is that a wide array of watercrafts are covered. Just as a car coverage policy helps protect everything from eco-friendly electric vehicles to large, gas-guzzling trucks, watercraft coverage helps protect anything that can transport you over the water.

You can get a policy for your large sailboat, but you can also get one for your humble pontoon. Luxurious cabin cruisers and powerboats are protected, and so are basic fishing boats. Even your jet skis can be covered by your watercraft policy. Remember to ask your agent about liability, collision, and comprehensive policies, as they can help you choose the best plan for your watercraft.

Navigating Boat Insurance Costs

One of the most popular questions is, “How much does boat insurance cost?” Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Nationally, the average cost for the most common type of boat ranges from $200 to $500 annually.

Because of the sheer variety of crafts covered, the exact amount an owner will pay for coverage depends on many factors. This includes what type of vessel you are insuring, what its overall length is, how many engines it has, and the amount of horsepower it has. Even the way you use it affects the policy cost, as it is usually more expensive to get a policy for a commercial charter vessel or a racing ship than it is to get a policy for a simple recreational boat.

Because there is no uniform answer to the question of how expensive this coverage is, you may worry that you will end up paying too much. Fortunately, good carriers can help develop a custom boat policy best suited to your needs. Ideally, custom policies ensure you and your vessel are properly protected without making you pay for additional coverage you do not need. Of course, getting the best custom policy begins with finding a good local carrier and understanding the basics of boat insurance.

Local Assistance: Best Boat Insurance Near You

You can find any number of carriers around the country who will offer you policies that sound too good to be true. What most sailors do not realize until it is too late, however, is they would have been better off hopping on the computer and searching for “boat insurance near me.”

The reason is simple: Just as local agents understand your neighborhood roads better than someone who has never stepped foot in your town, they also better understand the waters where you will be enjoying your time on the water. That means they understand how crowded those waters may be and the unique threats your vessel will be facing. Between that and their understanding of factors like local criminal activity (allowing them to calculate how likely your ship is to get vandalized or stolen), local agents can provide the best custom policy for your exact needs.

Geographical Aspects of Boat Insurance Services

Even in your local area, you will find no shortage of carriers happy to offer you boat policies. How, then, can you find the best coverage and best carrier in your geographic area?

The short answer is that you should use all the local resources available to help you find the best carrier in the area. Instead of simply searching the internet, consider asking your fellow sailors who they rely on for coverage. Use social media and online review sites to see what other locals are saying about different carriers. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to learn about different companies, too.

By working with an agent in your area, you can rest assured that they offer coverage options that account for the situations you are most likely to encounter in your local waters.

Making the Most of Your Insurance Policy

At the end of the day, making the most of this policy is all about getting the exact coverage you need without paying for excess options that you are unlikely to ever use. This starts with choosing the right deductible.

As with automobile coverage, a lower deductible means you pay less before your coverage kicks in, but the monthly premiums are more expensive than if you had a higher deductible. Assuming you have a more expensive vessel and are not too stressed about slightly higher premiums, you may prefer that lower deductible because it will make it easier to repair or replace your ship in the event of a catastrophe.

It is also valuable to be honest with your carrier about when and where you are most likely to operate your watercraft. If, like most boaters, you are unlikely to take your vessel out during the winter months, then you may be able to get a discount for the lay-up period of your vessel. Similarly, if you are mostly boating close to home, you may be able to get discounts for having a limited area of navigation.

After all, nobody should pay more for coverage than they have to, and the money you do not unnecessarily throw away on your coverage can be used to give your ship some long-awaited upgrades (like redoing the decking or finally adding those LED lights).

Boat Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing coverage for your vessel can be relatively complex once you start getting into the details. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about these policies.

Is My Boat Already Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

This is a common myth, but it is incorrect. In most cases, your homeowners policy will not cover damage to your vessel or any liability issues that may occur. You will need to get a separate policy to protect your investment before you take your vessel out onto the water.

Will Coverage Protect Me If I Need Assistance on the Water?

In most cases, your boat policy will cover the costs of towing your vessel when it is inoperable. You will be towed to the nearest repair facility, and other costs may also be covered.

Who Do I Need to Add to My Policy?

As the owner and operator, you are fully protected. Depending on your policy, others may also be protected, including family members, marina workers, and anyone else who periodically operates your vessel. Check your policy to verify exactly who is on it and avoid any nasty surprises after an accident.

Get a Quote on Affordable Boat Insurance Today

Now you know how to find the best watercraft insurance in your area, what it covers, and why it’s important. But do you know which local office is ready to help you fully enjoy a life of adventure on the high seas?

At InsureOne, we care about your boat just as much as you do, and we are here to offer you the kind of top-notch protection your vessel deserves. When you are ready to enjoy peace of mind out on the water, get a quick and easy quote online. Of course, you can also pick up the phone and give us a call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to find an InsureOne office near you and visit us in person.