As a boat owner, you are vulnerable to unique risks both on and off the water. You could be involved in a collision, run your watercraft aground, or even become a victim of theft and vandalism. In any of these scenarios, boat insurance can help you minimize your out of pocket expenses and have you back on the water as soon as possible. With a policy from AFI Insurance, you’ll have access to a broad range of coverages designed to fit the distinct needs of nearly any situation.
We offer coverage from several different Illinois boat insurers, all competing to give you a great price on the protection you need. Whether your boat is new or used, we can help you find coverage for nearly any recreational watercraft, including:
- Runabouts
- Bowriders
- Pontoon Boats
- Ski Boats
- Wake Boats
- Bass boats
- Sailboats
- Catamarans
- Personal watercraft
- Deck boats
- And more
Types of Boat Insurance Coverage
Boat insurance policies are made up of different segments, each of which outlines a different type of coverage. Although you can custom-tailor your policy to fit your needs, we generally recommend purchasing enough coverage to adequately protect you, your passengers, your boat, and your income and assets against the potential for loss. Injuries, property damages, and other incidents can all lead to expensive claims and in some cases litigation, too. Having the right boat insurance policy means you’ll be protecting against capsizing, collisions, fire, storms, vandalism, and more.
Examples of boat insurance coverage types include:
Liability
Boat insurance liability can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars if you are sued for a third-party’s injuries or property damage. This includes incidents you are responsible for as a result of your actions or negligence while using your boat. Liability doesn’t just cover medical bills, lost wages, and property damages; it can also take care of your legal fees and court costs, as well as any other judgments against you due to an accident. Some policies even cover pollution liability in the event your boat leaks contaminants like fuel or oil into the environment.
Physical Damage
Chances are you have a lot of money at stake in your boat. Physical damages coverage pays to repair and restore your watercraft if it is damaged in a collision or other covered event. In the event that the cost to repair your boat exceeds its actual cash value, the insurer may instead reimburse you for your loss in cash.
Uninsured Watercraft
When boaters fail to purchase liability insurance, they put other boaters at risk. If you are injured by the negligence of an uninsured boater, how would you afford your medical expenses and those of your passengers? When you purchase uninsured watercraft insurance, you are covered against these types of events.
Medical Payments
With medical payments coverage, no fault needs to be established to provide medical bills coverage for you and everyone on your watercraft who is injured in a boating accident.
Personal Property and Special Equipment
Unless you spend most of your time cruising on the water, chances are you have plenty of special equipment and personal belongings onboard your watercraft when it’s in use. Your boat insurance can extend protection to many different items, including your skis and fishing gear.
Trailer Coverage
Trailers are expensive to replace. By purchasing insurance for your trailer, you can protect it against theft or damage, whether it is in transport or stowed away.
Emergency Assistance and Towing
Being stranded is a scary feeling. In the event you need assistance, boat insurance can provide coverage for many different services, including towing and fuel delivery.
Wreckage Removal
The last place you want to your boat to end up is at the bottom of the lake, but accidents happen. If your watercraft sinks or capsizes, boat insurance can help cover the cost of wreckage removal.
Calculating Your Coverage Needs
Don’t try to figure out your boat insurance coverage needs on your own. Instead, contact the office of Frank Isadore for a personalized risk evaluation that can help you better determine the amount of insurance that is right for you. We can help you come to a conclusion based on several different variables, some of which include:
- Your boat’s valuation
- The type of boat you own
- Your out-of-pocket cost tolerance
- Your usage frequency
- Your activities onboard your boat
- What you stand to lose in a lawsuit
- And more
Why Choose an Independent Agent?
When you work with an independent agent, you are choosing to partner with someone who not only understands the risks you face as a boat owner, but also understands the boat insurance industry as a whole. At AFI Insurance, we don’t work for the insurance companies; we work for you. Our goal is to shop and compare rates on the insurance you need to find the most competitive premiums without sacrificing the quality of your coverage.
Boat Insurance Discounts
Many boat owners qualify for money-saving discounts that can help lower the cost of coverage. We want to help you find every discount you may qualify for, as well as teach you about actions you can take to capture additional savings in the future. Examples of common boat insurance discounts include:
- Boater safety course discounts
- Claims-free discounts
- Multiple-watercraft discounts
- Protective device discounts (PWC braking, anti-theft, etc.)
- Lay-up discounts
- And more
If you are shopping for better boat insurance or looking to purchase a new or used boat in the future, we want to help you make sound decisions about your boater’s insurance. Contact us today for more information or to request your free quote. We look forward to serving you soon.
