Texas Boat Insurance - A Guide to Yacht, Boat and Marine Insurance in Texas
Every year, more than 76 million Americans go boating, and Texas, with 80,000
miles of rivers and streams, is among the top five states in the country for
water sports. The state requires a current registration on all boats, even
if they're docked or stored. After making sure that you have the right registration
for your boat, it's time to find the right insurance.
Factors which can affect the price of your insurance in Texas include the
operator's age, DMV records, and the value and speed of your boat. Taking a
boating course can help reduce the price of your insurance. You can participate
in these courses through the Texas Parks and Wildlife department. Some operators
may need to be certified to operate a boat, and these courses can help towards
that certification. Even if you don't need certification, you can get nearly
20% discounts from your insurance company if you can prove you've taken a safety
course. Just a little knowledge about boats can help you if there's an accident,
and prevent many boat accidents.
Coverages that can be useful to Texas boaters include personal liability and
property damage, which protect people and objects that may be injured on or
around your boat. Coverage for other people's medical bills can save you a
great deal of money in the event of an accident. It's also a good idea to look
into uninsured boater coverage. Like uninsured motorist coverage, this keeps
you from being responsible for the bills when someone else is at fault, but
has no coverage. The percentage of boaters with no insurance is a lot higher
than the percentage of uninsured motorists, so this kind of coverage can be
very useful.
Boaters in areas of Texas subject to periodic hurricane damage should examine
their policies carefully. Some boat insurance policies will not pay for damage
from storms, or only pay a reduced amount. If you're concerned about protecting
your boat from hurricane damage, investigate the amount of coverage that is
being offered for it. Because boat policies aren't standardized the way car
or homeowners insurance have been, you may find vastly different coverages
being offered by insurance providers. This means that it's possible to look
around to find the best combination of coverage and price, but it will also
take a little work.
Boat insurance is a smart thing to invest in if you're going to be enjoying
the many waterways of Texas. Whether you have a luxury boat or just a small
fishing craft, you'll want to be covered in the event of an accident. Even
the most careful boater can't account for the actions of all the other people
on the water, and accidents are sure to happen eventually. To make sure your
boat is protected, whether on the water, in storage, or on the road, keep a
good insurance policy. Smart boaters maintain at least a minimum standard of
boat coverage, including personal liability, to protect themselves.