Wisconsin has a lot to offer in the way of boating, with more than 15,000 lakes to choose from. Whether you enjoy skiing, cruising, fishing, or some other water-based pastime, chances are there is somewhere to fire up your boat nearby in the Badger State. At Long & Company, we care about the risks boaters face both on and off the water. Whether you use your watercraft only occasionally or frequent the lake every chance you get, we can help you get insurance to protect your boat, passengers, and your finances against the potential for damage, injury, and loss.
Is Your Boat Insurable?
Most vessels are insurable through Long & Company. We can help you find coverage for one or more watercraft, including:
- Bass boats
- Fishing boats
- Pontoon boats
- Bowriders
- Deck boats
- Wake boats
- Ski boats
- Sail boats
- Catamarans
- Individual/personal watercraft
- And more
What Do You Have to Lose without Boat Insurance?
The first and most obvious risk is the loss of your watercraft. If you run your boat aground or lose your boat in a fire, you also lose the money you invested in your vessel. A total loss could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Even if your boat is repairable, you could still face thousands of dollars in restoration costs.
Then there are the risks associated with operating your vessel. Not only could you and your passengers become injured in an accident, but there is also the risk of causing third-party injuries or property damages that could result in financial liability and litigation. Without boat liability insurance, these costs could total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, forcing you to liquidate assets or make payments from future wages to satisfy a judgment or settlement.
Protect Yourself with Boat Insurance
At Long & Company, we offer comprehensive boat insurance coverage options that provide solutions for a wide range of risks. Policies typically include several different types of coverage, which may include:
Liability
This coverage pays for damages you cause a third-party while operating your boat. This could include damages to their boat and personal property, as well as injuries you cause as a result of an accident for which you are at fault. In addition, your boaters liability insurance may also cover environmental liability when your boat leaks hazardous fluids into the water.
Boater’s liability insurance comes at various levels of coverage. You can use this coverage to help pay your legal defense bills and court costs if you are sued, as well as any financial liabilities you are responsible for. We recommend choosing high limits to minimize your risk of paying excess damages out-of-pocket.
Physical Damages
Whether you destroy your boat in a collision or it gets struck by lightning and catches fire, physical damages coverage can help pay to repair your damaged boat or compensate you for its total loss when it is damaged beyond repair. Claims against this type of coverage are generally subject to your deductible, which is the amount you contribute toward each covered loss. Higher deductibles require greater financial responsibility for claims, but they may also translate to lower premiums. Talk to an agent about physical damages coverage and which deductible may be right for you.
Uninsured Boaters
If you have a run-in with an uninsured boat, recovering compensation for bodily injuries could be a challenge that requires litigation and pursuit of an at-fault boater’s assets. Uninsured boaters coverage can take the hassle out of compensation by covering your bodily injury damages directly through your own policy.
Medical Payments
This coverage can pay for your injuries, as well as those of your passengers when you need medical care following a boating incident. Medical payments coverage pays limited benefits regardless of who is at-fault.
Wreckage Retrieval
If your boat sinks or capsizes, recovering it can be expensive. Wreckage removal coverage helps pay for the cost of retrieving your sunken vessel, saving you the cost of an expensive bill.
Towing and Assistance
On-the-water assistance can be costly, whether you need fuel delivery or a tow back to land. This coverage can help pay for the cost of getting your boat safely back to shore when unexpected covered events leave you stranded.
Trailer
Your trailer is what moves your boat from one body of water to another. They are expensive to replace, so talk with your agent about trailer damages coverage through your boaters insurance policy.
Equipment
The equipment you carry onboard is at-risk of damage and loss in an accident. Don’t lose thousands of dollars worth of ski equipment or fishing gear. Ask your agent about special equipment coverage that extends to your GPS unit, diving equipment, wakeboards, and more.
Request Your Free Boat Insurance Quote
At Long & Company, we believe everyone deserves boat insurance that is both affordable and dependable. A lot goes into the cost of boat insurance, from the type of vessel you own to the frequency with which you use it. Our goal is to shop and compare coverage from multiple insurers until we find a policy that fits your needs and compliments your budget.
As an independent agency, we want to be your go-to source for assistance regarding your boat insurance policy. We can help you find money-saving discounts, learn ways to reduce your risk exposures, and even help you add coverage for additional watercraft you may purchase in the future.
For more information about Wisconsin boat insurance or to request your quote, contact our office today.
