Boat Insurance
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Coverage Guide
Powerboats, wake boats and motorboats carry a distinct risk profile compared to other vessel types. These vessels often have higher speeds, greater liability exposure, and more complex engines and your boat insurance should be structured to cover these unique risks. Here's a breakdown of what a powerboat insurance policy typically includes and what you can add on.
Hull and machinery coverage protects your vessel, motor, and permanently attached equipment against damage from collision, fire, theft, vandalism, lightning, hail, and windstorm. For wake boats and high-performance vessels, this is especially critical given the higher cost of inboard engines and specialized hull construction.
You're exploring an unfamiliar stretch of river when your boat hits a submerged rock and damages your hull and outboard motor. Hull and Machinery coverage can help cover the cost of repairs.
If you injure someone or damage another vessel or property while operating your powerboat, liability coverage protects you from the financial and legal consequences. Given the speeds that motorboats and wake boats can reach, liability exposure is significant and we recommend a minimum of $3 million in coverage.
While docking at the marina, a wave causes your boat to drift and collide with the boat docked next to you. The owner files a claim for repairs. Third-party liability coverage helps pay for the damage to their boat.
Comprehensive/Specified Perils coverage provides coverage for damage resulting from theft, vandalism, and even natural disasters like hail or windstorms.
You arrive at the marina to find your boat has been broken into overnight. Your onboard electronics, fishing gear, and motor have been stolen. Comprehensive coverage helps cover the cost of replacing the stolen equipment.
Covers the cost of on-water towing if your vessel breaks down or becomes disabled. For powerboats with complex inboard or stern-drive engines, a mechanical failure on the water is a real possibility and towing a larger motorboat can be expensive.
Agreed Value coverage protects your boat's full insured value in the event of a total loss, regardless of depreciation. Rather than paying the depreciated market value of your boat, your insurer agrees in advance on a fixed payout amount.
You purchased your boat three years ago and a fire destroys it beyond repair while in storage. Agreed Value coverage pays you the amount agreed upon when you set up your policy, not the lower depreciated value.
Standard boat insurance policies typically limit where you can operate your vessel. Navigational Extension coverage allows you to travel beyond the limits outlined in your standard policy.
You're planning a winter trip down the U.S coast with you boat. Without Navigational Extension coverage, traveling outside your policy's standard limits could leave you uninsured.
Since boat insurance isn't mandatory in Canada, there is a chance you could be involved in an accident with a boater who has little or no insurance. Uninsured Boater coverage protects you and your passengers, helping cover injury related costs.
You're anchored near shore when another boat collides with yours, injuring your passenger. The other captian doesn not have insurance. Uninsured Boater coverage can help cover your passenger's injury related costs.
Cost Factors
The size and value of your boat are two of the biggest factors in determining your boat insurance premium. Larger vessels typically come with bigger engines, more onboard equipment and higher liability exposure, which can increase your premiums.
Boaters with a claims-free history are often rewarded with lower rates or claims-free discounts, while those with recent or frequent claims may see their premiums increase.
Inboard and stern-drive engines are more complex and costly to repair than outboard motors, which can increase your premium. Higher horsepower is also associated with greater speed and liability risk, which is a key factor for wake boats and performance motorboats.
Boats used for personal or pleasure use are generally cheaper to insure than those used for rental, charter or commercial purposes. Where you store your boat matters too. Secure marinas or enclosed storage facilities reduce the risk of theft, vandalism or weather related damage.
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13,000+ Reviews Across Western | 4.5
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Calgary, AB
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Edmonton, AB
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Red Deer, AB
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