Personal Insurance Blog

Fall is here and the boating season is just about over.  Time to take stock of the wear and tear to your watercraft over the summer months.  Here are a few tips to consider before “wrapping it up” for the season.

1. Inspect

Be sure to check for any hidden damage that might have occurred during the summer.  Best to make repairs now and have your boat ship shape and ready to go in the spring.  Don’t  forget to remove personal items like life jackets (mice love the stuffing) and fishing gear.

2. Store

Decide if you will haul your boat or store it in the water for the winter.  If you haul it, will you have it shrink wrapped?

3. Insure

Be sure to check your watercraft insurance policy for the “layup” period.  This time frame is usually from November 1st to May 1st, but policies vary and some carriers offer longer or shorter layups, and some offer policies with no layup periods. It is important that you do not use your boat during this period of time, as coverage may be limited or even denied in the event of a loss.

4. Check your policy

Another important part of your watercraft policy is the “live aboard” clause – you will need to check your policy carefully to determine if it allows for living aboard or if living aboard is excluded, in which case – again – coverage could be limited or denied if the clause is breached.

5. On a final note

Be sure to check your boat regularly during the winter months – Mother Nature can cause significant damage.

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