Roughly one in 10 Americans own a boat. Before you set sail, protect yourself and your loved ones with these tips.
Take a boating safety course – boating safety courses are proven to greatly reduce the chances of a future accident, and give boaters the confidence and the wisdom to navigate safely. Plus, courses such as those offered by United States Power Squadrons®, can help save on the insurance.
Check the condition of your boat – before hitting the water, you can contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to get a vessel safety check free of charge. Your boat, and its contents, can be covered with a watercraft physical damage endorsement. This includes protection for your trailer, equipment, and your family’s personal items on board as well.
Make a “float plan” – inform someone on land of your travel plans so that necessary aid could reach you faster in the event you experience an accident in an area out of range of any communication.
Make a checklist of essentials – understand the importance of equipment such as flotation devices, tools, flares, fire extinguishers and other safety implements. Check the weather before your trip to learn of any impending weather events or craft advisories. Plus, he’s always on the lookout for darkening clouds or sudden temperature drops, which will clue him to get back to land.
Wear a life jacket – It is estimated that only 25 percent of occupants on boats wear a life jacket, despite their proven success of greatly reducing the chance of drowning in the event of an accident. And, in the event of a major incident, you’ll have umbrella coverage to protect yourself against major costs stemming from a liability claim.
Keep it dry – it should go without saying that alcohol and boating don’t mix. But companies like The Hanover can further incentivize boaters to stay sober by helping them save on their insurance premium.
Double check your water liability – just because you are insured doesn’t mean the other boaters are. Make sure to have an uninsured and underinsured water liability endorsement on your policy. It’s protection for yourself, your boat, and your occupants in the event of a claim involving a less responsible boater.
Talk to your independent insurance agent today to make sure you and your boat are not just staying safe, but staying protected, with a broad range of recreational vehicle insurance options from The Richard Pitts Agency.
You can read the original blog by our provider, Hanover Insurance.