Boat & Watercraft Insurance in Miami, FL

Why Miami Boat Owners Need Coverage

You’ll enjoy the water even more when you’re not worried about the safety of yourself, your passengers or your investment. Here are a few things to consider:

• If you’re in an accident or your watercraft is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If your watercraft is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you’re worth.
• Your watercraft also needs protection when it’s on land. Accidents can happen while towing a watercraft.

What Makes Miami Boat Insurance Different

A boat in Miami lives a different life than a boat almost anywhere else. It sits in salt water year round, it never gets winterized, and for roughly half the year it sits inside hurricane season.

That changes what the policy has to do. A few things worth raising when we quote it:

• Named storm coverage. Know what your policy expects of you when one is headed this way. Some require a haul-out or a storm plan, and late August is not when you want to find that out.
• Where the boat lives. A slip, a lift, dry storage and a trailer in the driveway do not carry the same risk, and they do not price the same.
• How far you actually run. A day in Biscayne Bay is not a run to the Keys. Policies carry navigational limits, and plenty of owners have never read theirs.
• Salt water and corrosion. Wear is not damage. Knowing where your policy draws that line beats arguing about it afterward.
• Marina requirements. Many marinas want proof of liability coverage before they hand over a slip.

What to Ask Before You Buy

Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if your boat or personal watercraft is in an accident, damaged or stolen?
• Is my boat or watercraft covered for use year-round?
• What discounts and programs are available?
• How much medical insurance and liability coverage is enough?
• Do I have coverage if I need to have my boat towed in an emergency?
• What’s the process for filing and settling a claim?
• Does the insurance company have a good reputation for customer service? Is it known for paying claims fairly and promptly?

Home and auto insurance policies may provide limited coverage for personal watercraft. Talk to your insurance representative about coverage limits. You may want to consider purchasing a personal watercraft policy to protect yourself and your water vehicle in the event of an accident.

The personal watercraft policy covers:

• bodily injury
• property damage
• guest passenger liability
• medical payments
• theft

Additional coverage can also be purchased for trailers and other accessories.

You should talk to your insurance representative about the type of coverage that would best suit your needs.

Not sure what your current policy actually covers? Send it over. We will read it and tell you straight.

Common Questions About Boat Insurance in Miami