When you think of California, surf, sand, and blue oceans come to mind. Water sports are popular pastimes among residents and visitors alike. If you are one of those people who love the water, proper insurance for motorized water craft is a must. Many California car insurance companies that insure your vehicles will also insure your toys. Before taking to the water, call your car insurance company and get rates for your boat or personal watercraft (PWC).
There are many different types of boats and California car insurance companies have different rates depending on what boat you have. It is a good idea to obtain insurance for all motorized watercraft. Personal non-motorized watercraft can be insured, but it isn’t as important to do so. Insurance typically covers damages you are liable for when you make a mistake or have a loss due to fire, animals or other non-preventable incidences. If your boat or PWC is not worth a lot and not motorized, insurance is not needed, but if your boat has a high risk of injury or will cost a lot to repair/replace, definitely insure it.
Passenger boats are usually powered by motors and are bigger than a canoe. These boats usually can carry three or more passengers comfortably. Serious bodily and property damage can be done with these boats. At the very least, liability insurance should be purchased. If the boat is stored by a company during off months, ask them if your boat is covered if something happens. You may be able to save some money by dropping your insurance coverage during winter months if it is covered by the storage company’s liability policy. States differ in their insurance laws and minimums.
Contact your California car insurance carrier for requirements and rates.
Personal watercrafts are used mainly for one or two people and can either have a motor or not. Waverunners and kayaks are good examples of PWCs. Canoes and kayaks normally do not need insurance coverage and many times are covered under homeowners insurance against fire or theft. Some PWCs can be dangerous or are expensive to fix and should be insured to offset these costs. Again, each state has it’s own laws so make sure you call your insurance carrier, ask what the requirements are, and get a car insurance rate that reflects boat coverage.
When deciding whether to insure your watercraft, use good common sense. If the boat can do serious harm, it should be insured. Find out and abide by all state laws pertaining to insurance and usage. Keep in mind when traveling that all states have different regulations. Learn what they are before leaving on vacation.
Separate summary: Boating is relaxing and great fun, but can be dangerous. Abide by all rules and regulations of your state or the state that you are visiting. Be sure to have insurance coverage when needed. Your California car insurance carrier may be able to provide insurance for your boat also. The car insurance company rates could be lower if your other vehicles are carried by them also.
