3 Common Boat Insurance Claims

There is always the possibility of an accident, no matter how frequently you take your boat out on the water. There are various insurance claims for common damages filed by boat owners regularly. Minimizing your risks and purchasing adequate insurance coverage can help safeguard your bank account, assets, and investment as a boat owner. Our public claims adjuster in Central Florida offers these common boat insurance claims and how you can avoid them.

Vandalism claims

Boat owners are frequently victims of vandalism. Because most property owners do not utilize their boats as often as their homes and automobiles, they are perfect targets for vandals. Unfortunately, people do not catch vandals in the act in most cases. As a result, your boat can incur costly damages from even a minor act of vandalism. To discourage vandals from damaging your boat, keep it well covered when not in use. You might consider investing in a security system that sounds an alarm when someone gets on the vessel if you cannot keep it well covered. In many situations, security systems like this are typically enough to discourage vandals from damaging your property for fear of getting caught. Another great option is to invest in live stream video surveillance services to see exactly what is happening on your watercraft when you are not on it. You can also discourage vandalism by storing your vessel in a facility with around-the-clock security and virtually impenetrable lock systems when it is not in use, especially during winter months when watercraft vandalism is at its peak.

Storm damage claims

Weather damage is another common insurance claim filed by boat owners. Your boat can be knocked around and damaged by hurricanes and windstorms. Though it is impossible to prevent a storm, you can be well prepared for one. First, be sure that your boat is adequately secured to avoid shifting and rocking with waves to prevent the possibility of it repeatedly crashing into the dock or shore. Some boat owners invest in boat lifts and suspension systems to keep their vessels from exposure to violent waves and winds during extreme weather. You can install bumpers on the side of your watercraft to prevent chafing. Though bumpers are not attractive to some consumers, they are an excellent defense against crashes. Consider taking your vessel off the water and storing it safely on land until the risk has passed if you know a storm is rolling in. You can often prevent costly damage by spending a little extra time to move your boat to a safer place.

Collision claims

Things you cannot see often pose the most significant damage risk to your watercraft. Colliding with objects underwater is a common cause of boat damage claims. Submerged things like rocks, coral beds, buoys, tree branches, and floating debris are a considerable risk to boats. Unfamiliar surroundings, murky waters, and post-storm debris can easily cause a collision event. To mitigate collision risk, be sure that anyone operating your watercraft is familiar with the area they will be traveling. It can be helpful to talk with boat owners familiar with the location to see if you should avoid any areas in unfamiliar territory. If there are not many vessels traveling the course you want to take, it could be due to dangerous objects or mismarked channels that could damage your watercraft, so you might consider choosing a different route. Please do your best to avoid boating after a storm has passed through the area because they often leave wreckage and debris floating in the water. Allow ample time for the waste and waves to travel further away from the coast before operating your vessel for optimal protection.

These common boat insurance claims are often preventable, but a public claims adjuster in Central Florida can assist you with your insurance claim if your vessel becomes damaged. Contact us today for more information.