Do I Need Boat Insurance?

​Laws vary by state, and you're not required in Georgia or South Carolina to have insurance on your personal vessel.
However, there are certain situations that may require you to have a boat policy:

- if you store your boat at a marina or boatyard, you may be required to have liability insurance
- if you finance your boat, your lender may require you to have comprehensive and collision in addition to the standard boat policy

With both states having so many boating opportunities both inland and on the coast, it makes sense to protect your investment by having insurance on your boat and, if you transport it by trailer, by having coverage on it, too.
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Coverage options vary with each owner's needs, but items to think about in deciding on a policy include:

• coverage inclusions/exclusions of a standard policy
• difference between agreed value or actual cash value
• discount availability for using your current insurer
• insurer limitations regarding storage and usage locations
• emergency assistance availability, on and off the water
• fuel spill liability
• pier damage from your boat
• protection for your non-permanently attached items/equipment onboard
• navigation limitations (seasonal and geographic)
• clean-up/salvage coverage if your boat sinks
• boat rental reimbursement

 
So, enjoy navigating the waterways with confidence by consulting with your local independent insurance expert to customize a boat policy specifically for you.