Boat Insurance Quotes
December 6, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
When you’re looking into boat insurance more often than not you will be offered free boat insurance quotes. This is especially true online, most websites will offer a link immediately. Now that you have the information you need to make the best possible decision, its time to start looking.
It’s helpful to have your ownership information close. This is by and large the first set of questions for boat insurance quotes. You’ll be asked the primary owner’s name, date of birth and whether they’re the boat’s operator. Also you should know what type of ownership you have, is it single ownership, dual ownership, leased through a financial institution? You’ll also be asked in this first section what the boat is for. The options are usually individual, corporate, partnership, family or club.
Next, you’ll need to know your craft’s information. The model year and manufacturer are usually asked for first. Keep in mind the average boat insurance company won’t insure a boat that is over 30 years old. You’ll also need to know the number of engines and horsepower your boat has. At some point you’ll be asked about any other boat you own, although you normally will not need to know all the particulars about it. Other things such as whether you live on the boat and the boat’s length can also be expected.
Expect questions on the kind of coverage you are looking for. But keep in mind; you’re merely investigating boat insurance quotes not locking yourself into something permanent and binding. The next set of questions will cover where you store your boat. The boat insurance company wants to know if the boat is being used and when so that they can accurately judge the risk for them to insure it. You’ll be asked if the boat is used year round, and what kind of waters you navigate (fresh, salt, or both). As saltwater can be corrosive and damaging to a boat hull if not properly cared for the boat insurance company may consider this more of a risk.
Finally you’ll be asked a little but about the operator’s history. It’s not unusual to find questions like how many tickets and accidents the operator has had in the last five years, if the operator has ever had a DUI or reckless driving charge, and if they’ve had a previous watercraft loss. This is for the boat insurance company to determine their risk.
After all the required information has been filled out, or given to the agent. All you have to do is wait, or in the case of the Internet hit enter. You’ll then have your boat insurance quotes. Shop around a little and find one that will work the best in your situation and give them a call. Getting a multitude of boat insurance quotes at once is easier now than it has ever been, which is great news for you.
The Best In A Boat Insurance Company
December 6, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
The title asked and you shall receive. There are many factors to consider when you buy boat insurance. Really there is no right or wrong answer when finding a superb boat insurance company. As with anything there will be pros and cons with anyone you work with. It is difficult to determine the very best, but this list of 5 will certainly try.
· Progressive Boat is one of the more affordable for boat insurance rates. It is a subdivision of Progressive Auto. If you have your car policy with them it could be a wise idea to do so with your boat as you may get a discount. Because they don’t specialize only in boats their services and coverage are more limited, but more than adequate for most boaters. As an added bonus their customer service staff are widely known for being knowledgeable and very friendly. Their website also offers free boat insurance quotes.
· BoatU.S. is strictly a boat insurance company. They do not offer anything else and thus have a very comprehensive list of coverage provided and services offered. They have also proved their stability since they have been around since the 1960’s. Customer reviews state they have the best boat insurance rates available and are easy to deal with.
· GEICO Boat is also a subdivision company and part of GEICO Auto. Again, a dual policy could benefit you financially. Their services may not be as broad because they are not specialists in boat insurance rates, similar to Progressive. They are also known for insuring people who would be denied by other insurers, and this seems to hold true with their boat insurance as well.
· American Boating Association has rates that are competitive with the likes of GEICO and Progressive but has even more limited services. They do specialize only in boat insurance which can be a bonus as their staff is accordingly highly knowledgeable. Boat insurance quotes are available online as well as on the phone, but expect a longer wait on the phone.
· National Marine Underwriters also only works in boat insurance. They work in all 48 of the mainland states; although they will occasional extend insurance to other areas as well. Being in existence since the early 80s they are among the most knowledge companies around and their experience cannot be denied. Again they do offer few boat insurance quotes on their website.
This is but a small sampling of the possibilities for the boat insurance company you choose. This list was compiled of several factors that are important to most boat owners, price and extensive coverage. Research all of the options when you buy boat insurance and you cannot go wrong. As with choosing car insurance companies , the options are many, take you time and make an informed decision.
How Much Does Boat Insurance Cost
December 5, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
With the boat, and a list of potential insurers, comes a world of questions. One of those questions will undoubtedly be, how much does boat insurance cost? This is largely dependent on the company you choose as they all have different boat insurance rates. There are a few rules of thumbs that can give you a good estimate on whether you’ll be paying a higher or lower premium.
Insurance rates have gone up dramatically in recent years, along with most other expenses. Where a few years ago annual coverage for a single motor, brand-new boat would be $680 per year, these days that boat insurance rate would probably be closer to $1000 yearly. As different companies have different qualifications and coverage options there are no real set rules for a specific price range.
Take into account the type of policy you need. There are two types, a Boat owner policy and a Yacht policy. Boat owner policies are cheaper and usually lumped into an existing house or car policy. They cover boats up to 26 feet and have unchangeable limits and coverage. Yacht policies are for larger boats, they are more expensive but have custom limits and coverage.
Then there’s the style of your boat insurance rates, again there are two types. Named Peril coverage covers damage only from a specified threat and thus is more affordable. All risk coverage raises your premium but covers any accident that you could possibly have, with a few exceptions that would be detailed in the policy.
There are many types of boat insurance, all with their own benefits and premium amounts. You can choose between things like total loss of boat, hull damage, equipment damage, personal contents damage, wreck coverage, injuries, towing, among others. You must consider which of these you need and which you can do without. Do you need total loss coverage if you will be taking the boat out once a month? Probably not, and it is those types of decisions that will influence your boat insurance rates.
As mentioned before, motor size and type will influence your premium as well. An outboard motor may not be as fancy and convenient but it is considered safer by most boat insurance companies. Onboard motors are more of a risk since everything is enclosed and a problem cannot be quickly detected. On motor size, if the manufacturer states your motor will achieve speeds over 50 mph, expect an increase in your cost.
Believe it or not, your credit rating is also a factor. Having a clean credit report and a high credit score will reflect well on you and can provide you with some discounts when it comes to choosing your boat insurance. All of this information will be pertinent when it comes to getting your boat insurance quotes. Quotes and actual rates can and probably will vary, but this knowledge will give you the best idea of what to expect.
Where To Buy Boat Insurance
December 5, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
As we’ve already discovered, buying boat insurance is not as scary as it may seem. Hopefully you’ve figured out what type of policy you are looking for, which brings us to the point of where do you find a boat insurance company? The simple answer is anywhere you find any other insurance. The longer answer requires examining what you want in a boat insurance company.
An excellent place to start is the phone book. Call around to a few companies to get a feel for what to expect. Many places frequently offer free boat insurance quotes. This is a good way to start shopping around. By getting a tentative quote from several different places, you can determine what will be the best offer for you and your budget.
Stability is also an important factor to consider. If the boat insurance company you find has only been in business for six months, they may not be around in five years time. Research their financial stability and history. Much of this information can be found online. The Internet can provide you with customer reviews and an idea of others’ experiences with the company. Two companies in particular, A.M. Best and Standard & Poors, offer financial information for corporations on the Internet.
When you call a potential company for boat insurance quotes, pay attention to their customer service. Make sure you are treated promptly, with care, and respect. Also make sure the company has a wide network so that you can be helped efficiently in a time of need.
While you are online why not search for a company? More corporations are choosing to advertise on the Internet every day, and the information will be accessible from your very own sofa. Finding boat insurance quotes online is a lot easier than calling or going into an office. Type in the information and away you go.
A wide selection of coverage options also makes for a good boat insurance company. Your insurance needs are unique, and known only by you. Being able to choose from a variety is the best bet that you’ll find what you’re looking for. Also, while price is important keep in mind that the lowest price may not be the best protection for you.
Finally, choose a company with a good reputation. Look them up with the Better Business Bureau. This will tell you if there have been major complaints against the boat insurance company in recent years. Speak with current and former customers to get an idea of what you should expect. Sometimes finding out why someone left a company is more helpful than talking to thirty people who are still policyholders.
This is a basic guide to finding the best boat insurance company for your needs. There are many and their names can be found almost anywhere you can imagine. Knowing how to weed the bad from the good is imperative to getting the kind of coverage best suited for you.
