The importance of boat or watercraft insurance in Massachusetts
When you purchased your boat, you were probably thinking of open water, vacation time, and maybe a little fishing. You probably weren’t thinking about the insurance you’d need to cover it. However, it’s something worth looking into, and here are five reasons why.
- Accidents – Anything can happen on the water. It’s the very appeal of boats – the fun, the freedom – but also the danger. What happens if you go out and hurt yourself? What happens if you collide with something in the water or even another boat? What if they don’t have insurance? The possibilities are endless, which is why it’s important to find the right coverage for every scenario.
- Weather – Weather is not always stable or predictable, and you’re responsible for your boat even when blue skies turn into storms. Don’t wait for summertime to protect your property – fires, floods and high winds can damage your boat even during the off-season.
- Injuries – Injury insurance is a must, especially if you’re operating a high-risk watercraft like a jet ski. You never know when the tide will turn and leave you swimming against a storm of medical bills. Depending on your state of residence, you might even be responsible if someone else is using your boat hurts themselves, others aboard your boat or someone else.
- Damage – Accidents, fires, and even vandalism – all of these are threats against the safety of your property. You’ll want the right kind of insurance to guard yourself against not only damage done to you, but damage you might accidentally inflict on others. It’s called liability.
- Theft – Believe it or not, the biggest danger to your boat isn’t on the water – it’s in your garage. Most people don’t guard their watercrafts as closely as they guard, say, their cars, and as a result, they leave their possessions right open for the taking. Insurance will have you covered if you ever go home and find yourself the victim of thieves.