INSURANCE AND SAFETY TIPS FOR WAVERUNNERS AND JET SKIS

Waverunners, jet skis and other personal watercraft have been gaining popularity over their cousin the boat in the last few years. But, like boats, personal watercrafts require insurance and safety know-how.

INSURANCE FOR YOUR WATER VEHICLE
Home and auto insurance may provide limited coverage for water vehicles. Talk to your insurance representative about coverage limits. You may want to consider purchasing a personal watercraft policy to protect you and your water vehicle in the event of an accident. The personal watercraft policy covers:

• bodily injury
• property damage
• guest passenger liability
• medical payments
• theft

Liability limits start at $50,000 and can be increased to $300,000.
Additional coverage can also be purchased for trailers and other accessories. You should talk to your insurance representative about the type of coverage that would best suit your needs.

SAFETY KNOW-HOW

• Know your craft and how it operates.
• Know your local boating laws, navigational marks and signs.
• Wear a personal flotation device, eye protection, wetted and gloves.
• Do not operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs. · Always stay to the right of other water vehicles.
• Remember, sailboats, commercial vessels and fishing vessels have the right of way.

BOATING INSURANCE AND SAFETY

BOAT INSURANCE
Most companies provide limited coverage for property damage for small boats such as canoes and small sail boats or small power boats with less than 25 horse power under a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Coverage is usually about $1,000 or 10% of property coverage. Check with your insurance representative to find out if your boat is covered and what the limits are. For other boats, you will need to purchase separate insurance. The size, type, value of the craft and the water in which you use it factor into how much you will pay for insurance coverage. When you purchase insurance on your boat, you can purchase liability insurance only or you can include physical damage coverage on the hull as well. Physical damage premiums are based on the value of the boat and subject to the deductible you choose. Coverage is also available for uninsured boaters and medical payments.

If you wish to insure your trailer you need to specifically request coverage on the policy.

Premium credits are available for taking the Coast Guard Auxiliary Course, having a depth finder and radar equipment. Ask your insurance agent what type of credits you may qualify for.

SAFETY
In the past few years the Coast Guard has recorded an increasing number of recreational boating accidents. Contributing factors to these accidents include traveling too fast for water or weather conditions, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow boating rules and regulations, carelessness and inexperience.

To prevent boating accidents, we offer these safety suggestions:

• Care and Protection of Vessel
• Check weather forecasts.
• Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check engine, fuel, electrical and steering systems, especially for exhaust-system leaks.
• Carry one or more fire extinguishers, matched to the size and type of boat. Keep them readily accessible and in condition for immediate use.
• Equip the vessel with required navigation lights and with a whistle, horn or bell.
• Consider additional safety devices, such as a paddle or oars, a first-aid kit, a supply of fresh water, a tool kit and spare parts, a flashlight, flares and a radio.

Care and Protection of the Crew and Guests

• Make sure that every person on board the boat wears a life jacket.
• Know and obey marine traffic laws, the "Rules of the Road." Learn various distress signals.
• Keep an alert lookout for other watercraft, swimmers, floating debris and shallow waters.
• Pay attention to loading. Don't overload; distribute the load evenly; don't stand up or shift weight suddenly in a small boat; and don't permit riding on the bow, seat backs or gunwales.
• Don't operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Skippers can obtain free advice and boating-safety courses from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Upon request, the auxiliary will conduct a Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) on your boat, checking electrical and safety equipment and fuel hoses. Boats meeting safety standards are awarded the CME decal "Seal of Safety."

For a quote please call 1-800-292-1127 or click here

Please note we only write insurance in the State of Connecticut

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