Boat Insurance

[David Rearick]

OK, a little off topic, but something that is definitely a good topic for duck hunters given the amount of money in alot of the boats we own.

How many boat owners have insurance on their rig, and if so any particular company you are using? Pro's and Con's.

I have mine through my auto insurance company, Allstate, and I really think I am getting burnt on the price. Anyone else have any experience with other companies, and possibly how they dealt with any and all problems/claims?

[Travis Loving]

I have had Progressive on my boat ever since I owned it. 18 bucks a month and basically everything is covered, up to a total loss.
Of course, I haven't had a claim in the 4 years I have owned the boat, but peace of mind is great!!

[h20fow1er]

Insurance on my ski boat was $50 a month. Granted, I had my PIP and injury set pretty high.

[Mike Bard]

I have insurance on my rig as well, through my auto insurance company - Nationwide and I too think I might be over paying. I've never had to make a claim on my boat, but did for a truck once and they were good about things. I currently pay ~$26 a month, but a buddy of mine from Ohio has State Farm an pays less than a $100 a year... (his rig is a little smaller and different state - but it's a big difference). Its been on my to do list for ever to look into other companies, but like many things, I haven't got to it yet.

[sdduckaholic]

Hey fellas,
You all surely need insurance on your boats. I am an agent here in SD with Farmers Insurance Group. We had 2 clients who needed to make "major" claims this past season......1 had insurance on his boat, and the other insisted he didn't need it and that nothing would ever happen to him. His boat was stolen with all of his equipment in it, and still has not been found! Depending on the amount of coverage you choose the amount should be from $90 to $200/yr. As much money as we spend on hunting...why not have it properly covered!
Jeff

[Ben Cade]

Other than looking into other companies, you might want to take a look and see what you are getting for the money first. Coverage on the policies that are 'high' in premium, might offer more coverage than those that look like a better deal. Of course, it depends on how much your boat is worth, how new it is, along with hundreds of other variables. A few things you might want to consider in looking for a policy are:

Actual cash value coverage vs. total replacement cost or agreed value?
Does the policy have non-depreciation of repairs?
What inside the boat is covered/not covered -- guns, electronics, etc.
What are the liability limits?
What are the deductibles? Disappearing deductibles?
Is there roadside or water towing?
Fuel spill coverage?
Wreckage and removal coverage?
What is the limit for medical payments?

Another tip for those of you who have their boat scheduled under the homeowners policy -- you should really look into getting a separate policy for your boat as well as other recreational vehicles. If you end up having a claim on your boat, would you want your homeowners premium to go up? Some companies will non-renew you if you have too many similar claims. Something to think about.

Lastly, you might want to take a look at the company itself. What is their A.M. Best rating? How do you know they will take care of you at claim time?

[Walt McCord]

I have Farm Bureau Insurance and it cost $1.00 for every hundered I Insure. I have all of my guns, my boat motor, trailer, chokes, they will insure ANYTHING YOU WANT!! try them out. They are also very good about a claim. I lost my phone and my calls in the water this year. They were insured and all I was told was get new ones and they will send me a check. 1 week later I got a check in the mail.

[Bob "Chappy" Chaplin]

I don't know off hand what I pay for my boat(I'll have to check) but I know I only pay $44 a year for my trailer, nad my homeowners insurance covers everything in it, heck my agent told me that they will replace my decoys if they are stolen while I'm in the field using them. LOL I'm with Progressive.
Might want to check inti them.

[Scott Turpen]

Mine is the Farm Burueau as well as our house and vehicles. We pay $100 year for the boat, it's a 2002 Xpress.

[Kyle Williams]

It's state law here that you have to have insurance.

I have a 205 Skeeter TZX200 with a 200 hp Yamaha and I think I pay around $20 a month with State Farm.

[iluvfish2]

I've got State Farm. Not sure what my deductable is, probably 250 or 500, but its for full replacement value (figured 3-5K). BIGGEST reason I have it. Going up and down the road, if something happens my auto insurance doesn't cover it, nor does my homeowners. Also, storage in my yard isn't covered by my home owners (say a tree falls on my boat), now its covered. I can rip my transom fully off, and know that it will be replaced within a few days (SF been great on any auto claims I've ever made)

I need to chat with my agent in the near future anyways (gotta make sure any value on my decoys is up to snuff, along with the rest of my "toys"). One of the bonus' also is that adds an extra policy, inacting a multi policy dicsount for those that aren't currently home owners, or 2nd ride.

Most probably know that most insurance agencys are now using your credit scores against your policy premiums, not sure if your auto record would reflect on your boat insurance, but could be a reason for higher rates.

[dkhntrdstn]

i have it on my duck boat and I pay like 90 bucks a year and it cover every thing. it nice to have for that safty.You never know what going to happne out there. runing in the dark or some body runing in to you. Im not shure who i have it my cuz that runs it. so

[Lance Ohnmacht]

I have Farm Bureau on everything I own. Boat both motors, mud and fishing, my pickups, wife's explorer, house, life, everything.... It is around $100 per month for the boat, motors, trailer, and whatever was in them. I have had claims and Farm Bureau is the BEST!! They always treat you right. Even though you may spend less somewhere else you can't beat their customer service!

[CuppedAndComitted]

Little over a $100 a year for my 18' War Ealge and 70horse4Strk tiller. I go through State Farm.

[Jason Upton]

I don't carry it on either of my boats. Guess it's a bit of a gamble, and I really should look into it.

[Jeremy DeVries]

GREAT POST!!!

I'm with State Farm as well. Could have purchased several different policies ranging from 90/year to 400/year dpending on what I wanted covered.

I think its important to have insurance coverage to take care of what SOMEONE ELSE might do to your rig, especially on the highway or around town. Once your on the water, the danger really goes down quite a bit I think. It's that parking lot, around town, at the gas station, my drinking buddy didn't hook up the hitch right type stuff that usually ends up ruining your trip.

[David Rearick]

Thanks for all the info guys, it is appreciated. I have been doing some research, but from the looks of what I have I am in the ballpark. If nothing else this is a good post to get people thinking about insurance on their toys. Auto insurance typically will not cover the boat if you are in an accident.

[dkhntrdstn]

Im car Insurance has told me as long as my boat is hook to my truck or my atvs are hooked up to the truck they will cover them. So my boat and my atvs has double insurance on them when they are hoked up.