Shihan Loc: Pendleton Oregon

I’m new here and just been thinking about something. I used to have a 19 ft inboard outboard and I used to carry insurance on it because of the bank and the cost. Now I’ve downsized to a Tracker V14 with a 9.9 four stroke outboard fishing boat. Last year I had a blowout on one of my trailer tires. I was lucky, as I was only going about 50 mph on a back highway instead of 70 mph on the freeway like I usually do. I got to thinking about it and I could have easily lost my boat and motor plus everything else in the boat. I checked with my insurance and it’s only $145 a year to insure it. It would be better than $8000 to replace just the boat and motor. The insurance also covers life jackets, fishing equipment and so on. Has anyone else thought about this? Sorry for being so long winded. Hope I filled all the background information out correctly.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Peace of mind sometimes doesn't have a price tag. Sounds good, just sad that something has to happen to get your money back.

JustRight Loc: Hernando, FL

Insurance of any kind is a gamble, of course; but liability only coverage is well worth it, then when you consider the extra protections of full coverage, boat insurance is relatively cheap. The reason for that is most boaters dont actually use their boats very often and the ones who do are generally speaking more responsible and knowledgeable. Using the number you quoted, it’s less than one bottle of wine or a twelver per month. I’d recommend getting the coverage. That being said, if you’re only concerned about liabilty while your rig is under tow on your own vehicle, your automobile liability coverage should extend to your towed boat and trailer. Check with your agent, not all states are the same.

Shihan Loc: Pendleton Oregon

After my mishap, I checked with my insurance carrier and my vehicle insurance does not extend to my boat and trailer. Thought it was covered also. Luckily it was not an expensive lesson.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

I checked with my Allstate Insurance about my boat insurance and it also covers Towing my boat in if I break down out on a big lake like lake Erie

GaryH Loc: Northern Pa.

Wouldn't leave home without it.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Shihan: Well, Hoss: Best think about your liability first. Even though your rig may require insurance if you are financing it, you could be exposed to much greater loss if an accident, such as you could have experienced had caused someone else an accident and injury.

For example: When I worked for Humble Oil and Refining Co., in Dallas, having a vehicle accident was tantamount to having a court marshal in the military. So any driver of a company vehicle had to always be on high alert. Well, one morning, I had been assigned a rookie to ride with me on my day's rounds in my territory.

We were cruising down Carpenter Freeway and I was on the far left lane with traffic all around. Suddenly, up ahead of me I saw a john boat, all the tackle, gear, and such, come flying up and over the barricade from the on-coming traffic, and then landing upside down in my lane coming directly at me. I yell, "look, Look" because I wanted a witness to the fact it was not my fault. I then barely squeezed into a right lane, just ahead of a truck, who was probably also trying to slow down and give me room! It was a close call and we were able to escape. But think of the liability if a passenger car were clobbered with a boat, and if passengers were killed?

Yes, your bank or finance company wants coverage, but first you cover your ass! Just Sayin...RJS

Shihan Loc: Pendleton Oregon

My boat is long paid for. I’m not sure of the liability when you are towing it with an insured vehicle. I was really thinking about loss but when my tire blew, I am thankful that it didn’t cause an accident. I have been boating for about 45 years and have seen my share of boats upside down on the freeway. This incident just made me think. I’m thinking that boaters with smaller boats do not insure them. Then there’s always theft.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Shihan: By all means go by what your automobile insurance agent tells you. I suspect there can be subtle differences in different state's laws. Just Sayin...RJS

Shihan Loc: Pendleton Oregon

No doubt. $145 a year is a bargain. I just wanted to share this with fishermen that had small boats that never thought about it. It definitely woke me up. Costs may vary but this not only covers boat, motor and trailers but your gear also from damage, theft and so on.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Shihan: Yep! I had my rig broken into in a storage yard with perhaps 100 stalls. They opened the sheet iron on a door perhaps 6 stalls away, then climbed over the partitions down to my rig and stole all the reels, leaving the rods and all other miscellanesous gear. I collected on homeowners insurance. Just Sayin...RJS

Egghead

Welcome Shihan, lots of things can happen,not always your fault. To many people out there that do not have insurance. So full coverage is nice if you get taken out by a no insurance dude. How's life in Pendleton??? I was Hatched out there lol.

Shihan Loc: Pendleton Oregon

I suppose home owners would cover you for theft at your home Or storage but what about at a campground? I did have my big boat cleaned out at my house years ago but insurance only covered part of it. I’ve convinced myself to get the insurance. Thanks for your input.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Good mornin' and welcome to the Forum, Steve. BOAT INSURANCE?????? I had so many claims on my boat insurance that the State Farm Insurance Co. wanted to cancel all of my insurance with them and I had everything through them for many years. But, I had many claims on my boat insurance with them too. Not anything else, just claims on the boat, motor, and trailer. Too many claims to mention on here. Now the only way I can get coverage is with a $2500 deductible and I still pay a very high premium. I wouldn't leave home without it.

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Shiran good morning sir.
The dollar amount you mentioned seems quite low for full coverage. If you don’t mind me asking who is your insurance with please.
Be Blessed
Newt