4 insurance mistakes first-time boat buyers should avoid
Owning a boat can be an exciting experience. Whatever the reason for buying a boat—adventure, transportation, or leisure—a lot of thought and consideration need to go into the decision. After all, a boat can be quite expensive and prone to risks. So, first-time boat buyers need to do their research to choose the right boat and also maintain it. They also need to choose the right insurance policy to minimize the risks of boat ownership.
1. Assuming existing insurance will suffice
Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies offer some coverage for boats. But, the coverage has many limitations. For instance, a home insurance policy offers coverage of around $1,500 for damages to a boat. Apart from this, some policies offer liability coverage, but only if the boat meets specific criteria. For example, the boat must be under 26 feet long, and the motor must be under 75 horsepower. So, if any other boat is destroyed or damaged, one will not be able to fully recover the entire cost of the boat. Besides, most home and renters’ insurance policies do not offer coverage for certain kinds of damage, such as sinking, collision, and disablement. Also, these policies will have higher deductibles compared to dedicated boat insurance.