In recent years, boating has exploded in popularity, with thousands of new enthusiasts taking to the waterways. If you have purchased a boat and reside in Pennsylvania, you’ve likely asked yourself – is boat insurance required? Boat insurance is not legally required in Pennsylvania. In fact, per the U.S. Coast Guard, only three states require boat owners to have insurance – Arkansas, Hawaii, and Utah. With that said, you’ll still want to purchase boat insurance, and your lender, if you are financing your boat or the marina that you plan to store it at, will likely mandate it. Even if they don’t, similar to how car insurance protects your vehicle, yourself, occupants, and others during an accident, boat insurance does too.
Boat insurance typically includes "All Risk" coverage which protects against several disasters to your boats such as fire, theft, vandalism, sinking, or grounding. Most boat insurance policies will include the following:
- Damage to Property: If your boat causes damage to another vessel or property, this coverage will help pay for those repairs.
- Bodily Injury: Should your boat be involved in a collision that injures or kills a third party, this coverage will pay the medical bills and legal expenses associated with the accident up to your policy limits.
- Collision: If your boat is involved in a collision, this coverage pays for repairs or replacement
- Comprehensive Coverage: Assists in paying repair costs if your boat sustains damages from an incident other than a collision, including fire, floods, natural disasters, and theft.
- No Insurance/Under-Insured Third Party: If a third party damages your boat or causes injuries but lacks insurance, this coverage will help protect you.
Give Griffith Insurance LLP in West Chester, PA a call for more information on boat insurance.
