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If you operate a boat, you must have the proper coverage. You’ll want to take precautions if your vessel sustains damage or is lost at sea. No matter what your boat is used for – fishing, pleasure boating, or exploring – there’s a marine insurance policy that’s right for you.
Table of Contents
1. You Need to Know Your Legal Obligation
Marine insurance is coverage for damage or loss that occurs or could occur at sea, including those caused by any of the following:
- Storms
- Flooding
- Earthquakes
If you’re responsible for the damage or loss, you’re considered the “controlling person” under the law. So you must be aware of what your legal obligation is.
2. Your Boat Has to Be Properly Stored
If you’ve decided to carry marine insurance on your boat, then your boat must be properly stored and maintained. You should buy some of the best maintenance equipment, and boating accessories. Doing so will help your insurance company determine how much coverage you should purchase. It will also reduce the chance of any problems that could lead to a claim.
When looking for insurance, one thing to keep in mind is that your insurance provider may require your boat to be kept inside or outside. Outside storage may increase your risk of theft, vandalism, and other types of damage. However, this type of storage is typically a small price for broad coverage.
If you want to keep your boat on the water as much as possible, you’ll want to store it inside. This means that you won’t have any potential damage or problems caused by thieves or vandals. You’ll also be able to use the same insurance company for all of your coverage needs.
3. You Need to Know What Kinds of Claims Exist
Whether you are at all familiar with marine insurance or not, you need to know what kind of claims exist within your policy. Several different types of claims can arise in connection with your boat. Bear in mind that the coverage you’re purchasing may be limited in some areas, so you must understand what your insurance covers.
4. You Need to Understand What It Will Cost You
When you’re shopping for marine insurance, one thing to keep in mind is that the cost will depend on what type of coverage you need and how much coverage you want. For example, it’s possible that you could purchase an unlimited policy, but the cost could be prohibitive if your boat is worth a large amount.
5. You Need to Know What You’ll Have to Show in the Event of a Claim
You must know what you’re going up against if you have a marine insurance claim. Some insurance companies will require that you submit an itemized list of damage for them to process your claim. And many will want to see relevant evidence, such as photos or witness statements. It’s a good idea to keep this information in mind before purchasing your insurance.
6. You Need to Understand How Marine Insurance Works
While the above information will help you know what you need to do about marine insurance, it’s also important that you have some knowledge of the policies themselves.
This means knowing how marine insurance works and what the terms mean. For instance, a “full-payment” policy is one that’s going to cover everything and it’s going to pay out in full. A “limitation of loss” policy covers a certain amount and can’t cover the entire amount. If a claim exceeds the limit of your coverage, you’ll have to pay the difference or look into alternatives.
Whether you want to protect your boat or are simply looking for accurate information about marine insurance, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the issues above. If you don’t fully understand how marine insurance works, then it’s likely that you’ll make a bad decision that could end up costing you more money. For more information and helpful tips on navigating the world of marine insurance, visit canadian-forex-brokers.
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