Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Boat Accident Damage?
Damage to a boat from an accident can require extensive repairs. The cost of these repairs can be high, leading many boat owners to wonder if homeowners’ insurance will cover boat accident damage.
The boat accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau have helped numerous clients who’ve been in maritime crashes in the Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL, area. Here, our lawyers will review whether or not homeowner’s insurance will help with the cost of boat repairs. We’ll then offer some additional insight into boat insurance and how it compares to homeowners’ insurance.
How Homeowners’ Insurance Works
Homeowners’ insurance covers damage and destruction to the interior or exterior of a person’s home. This damage to the home includes incidences such as fires and vandalism. Keep in mind that these policies vary, and that additional riders may be required to address damage from hurricanes, flooding, strong winds, earthquakes, and other kinds of natural disasters.
Will Homeowners’ Insurance Help with Boat Accidents?
In many cases, yes. Your homeowners’ insurance will be able to cover some of the damage done to your personal watercraft, which includes boats and jet skis.
That said, homeowners’ insurance will only go so far when it comes to damage to your boat.
How Much Coverage Can I Expect?
Homeowners’ insurance only provides limited coverage for damaged or vandalized boats and recreational water vehicles. Policyholders will typically be reimbursed up to $1,000 for damage to their boat. Keep in mind that not all types of damage to the boat will be covered by this limited amount of coverage.
While somewhat helpful, $1,000 barely scratches the surface when it comes to substantial repairs. The bottom line is that boating enthusiasts cannot rely on homeowners’ insurance alone.
Boat Insurance vs. Homeowners’ Insurance
Boat insurance is not required in the state of Florida, but it’s a smart idea given the risk of nautical accidents within the state. Boating enthusiasts or anyone with a recreational water vehicle should consider purchasing boat insurance. In fact, some marinas within the state require that you have boat insurance.
Boat insurance will cover:
- Damage to your boat
- Damage to personal property that is on your boat
- Injuries sustained during a boating accident
- Liability in case of damage to another vessel
- The cost of towing your boat to port
The amount and scope of boat insurance coverage goes well beyond the limited coverage offered by homeowners’ insurance.
Do I Need Boat Insurance?
Based on the information discussed, homeowners’ insurance alone will rarely provide the kind of coverage and peace of mind that boating enthusiasts need.
If you own a boat, jet ski, or personal watercraft, and you use that water vessel often, boat insurance is a sound idea. If the damage to your boat comes as a result of a maritime collision, it’s a good idea to document the accident and get in touch with our law firm.
Boat Insurance in the Off-season
It’s important to note that boat insurance coverage applies to damage to the water vessel while it’s on the water, in transit, or in storage. Many boat owners maintain their insurance coverage in the off-season. Their coverage will address potential weather damage and other calamities when their boat is not in use.
Contact Our Law Firm
The attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau are committed to injury accident victims all over the Daytona Beach area. For more information about what to do after a boating accident, we encourage you to contact our attorneys online. You can also schedule a legal consultation by phone at (386) 258-7313.