What does boat insurance not cover? Issues that boat insurance covers

Are you wondering, “What does boat insurance not cover?” If you own a boat, it’s important to get familiar with the basics of boat insurance. While many boat owners think that their insurance policy will protect them in any situation, this is actually not the case.

In this blog post, Scott Ewart dive into all the details you need to know about issues that boat insurance covers and things that insurance don’t cover. At the end of this post, you can make sure you’re properly protected against these potential hazards!

What does boat insurance not cover?

Most boat insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by normal use, like wear and tear, mechanical failure or breakdown,… Here are the details of what is typically excluded from standard boat insurance policies:

Loss caused by gradual deterioration (wear and tear)

The insurances don’t cover this  as they don’t offer protection against deterioration or general wear and tear. When you notice your boat showing signs of age and deterioration, it’s time to be financially prepared for repairs.

Damage caused by animals

Insurance policies usually don’t cover damage caused by wild or domestic animals. This means your claim won’t be paid if your boat is damaged by an animal, like a bird flying into the windshield or a raccoon chewing through wiring. You’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket. You have to pay for additional collision coverage if you want your boat insurance to cover this cost.

Damage from mold

Mold is a troublesome problem that frequently affects boat owners. Prolonged exposure to wet conditions can be the main cause of this problem. This can become quite expensive for you, depending on the severity of the mold problem.

Damage caused by zebra mussels

The majority of insurance policies will not cover expenses for damages caused by zebra mussels. If these creatures are left unchecked, this can quickly result in devastating financial losses.

The zebra mussel is a harmful, non-native species that can damage the outside of your boat and cause a lot of trouble.

You are responsible for paying out-of-pocket to remove zebra mussels, a difficult invasive species. Make sure your plan has adequate financial support so that you don’t need to worry about footing the bill yourself.

Their boat hulls are being damaged and their motors are overheating because they do not know how to minimize the impacts zebra mussels can cause. These small invasive mussels attach to hard surfaces including boats and motors!

Source: https://dnr.wi.gov/

Navigational Limits

Usually, policies only provide coverage within certain navigational limits. This means that if you take your boat outside of the predetermined area, your policy may not cover any incidents that occur there. If you want to be covered by insurance in international waters, you have to pay for additional coverage.

A potentially defective device

Most insurance policies do not provide coverage for damages caused by latent defects. If your water pump malfunctions because of a defect, the policy may not cover its cost. However, any damage incurred by the engine due to this malfunction will be compensated for.

Additional problems what insurances not covers

Furthermore, this warranty does not cover any issues such as:

• Marring
• Scratching
• Denting
• Osmosis
• Blistering
• Or manufacturer’s faults. However, design defects with the exception of electrolytic (stray current) corrosion is covered by insurance.

Issues that boat insurance covers

 

Boat insurance will cover the standard coverages such as collision, liability, and theft. It can also cover personal property on the boat, towing or salvage coverage in the event of a storm or accident. Besides, pollution clean-up can be covered if you’re at fault for an environmental incident.

Some policies offer extra coverage like uninsured/underinsured boater, hurricane haul-out, ice and freezing damage,… You can find more detailed information about what is covered by boat insurance here. With this information, you can equip yourself with full knowledge.

The significance of customized boat insurance plans

If you own a boat, it is essential to have the right coverage for your needs. So, do you have to have boat insurance? Boat insurance isn’t mandatory in most states. However, it is recommended for protecting you from financial responsibility due to an accident or disaster. As we’ve seen, some parts of insurance policies aren’t covered by basic plans. It’s crucial to consult with specialists who will evaluate your situation. They can find a plan that protects you from all your operation’s particular hazards.

A good marine insurance policy is tailored to your particular needs. For example, if you own a fishing charter business, your insurance policy should cover both the boat and its passengers. On the other hand, if you only use your boat for pleasure, a simple policy would be sufficient.

FAQs What does boat insurance not cover?

What does a small boat policy not cover?

Insurance for boats smaller than 29 feet in length

Things are not covered by an insurance policy like normal wear and tear, progressive deterioration.  Additional aspects are may be scratching, animal damage, manufacturer’s faults, design errors, ice and freezing, and so on.

Is it covered if a boat hits a dock?

Most boat insurance policies don’t cover boat docks, but you may be able to add dock coverage with some companies.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what does boat insurance not cover? Protecting your boat from the potential for disaster and unexpected damage is essential. Investing in good boat insurance is a must to ensure you’re always covered for any potential liabilities or unexpected events. As beneficial as it can be for a plethora of reasons, there are certain things it does not cover. Before committing to an insurance policy, make sure the watercraft you intend on insuring doesn’t have any exclusions. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask at justaddwaterbda.com!