Do Boats Get Stolen?
Could your boat be a target for theft? Your boat can become a target for theft due to its value, accessibility, and ease of transport.
What do thieves do with stolen boats? It’s pretty similar to what car thieves do with stolen cars. Boat thieves may target boats for their resale value, strip them for parts, or use them in illegal activities.
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your car, home, boat, and business insurance during this period of economic uncertainty.
How do most boats get stolen?
Most boats get stolen on their trailers, often in their owners’ yards at night. Thieves can transport a boat on its trailer using a truck and hitch. Boats can also be stolen while in slips and they can also be stolen from storage warehouses over the winter.
Note that boats are often left unsecured or not adequately secured at docks, marinas, or even on trailers in driveways, making them targets for boat thieves.
Boats stored on lifts are the safest, with only a tiny percentage of thefts occurring from this storage method.
How many boats are stolen in Canada?
Boat theft is an issue in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec due to their active boating communities.
Recent data shows that several thousand boats are stolen each year in Canada.
What is the most popular type of boat stolen in Canada?
Runabout boats (small, open boats) are the most frequently stolen type of boat and make up almost half of stolen boats in Canada. Then its cruisers, those equipped for overnighting, and personal watercraft (PWC) like jet skis that get stolen.
Sailboats and fishing boats are less frequently stolen.
Are there anti-theft devices and measures for boats?
If your boat is stolen, the real-time location data provided by a tracking system can help police locate and recover it. This immediate response can increase the chances of recovering your boat. Make sure that you buy a tracking device that’s suited to a marine environment. GPS systems with satellite-based communication are a good choice.
Engrave your hull identification number (HIN) on your boat and trailer or a small design that will make it more difficult to resell if stolen. This will also help police identify your boat.
Trailer locks and locks designed specifically for boats provide extra protection against boat theft.
A kill switch, also called an engine cut-off switch, is designed to shut off your boat’s engine. It can help prevent theft and can stop the engine if the operator is thrown from the boat. A kill switch is an additional layer of security that can be used with other anti-theft measures, like locks and alarms.
Top tips to prevent boat theft
- Use locks and more locks; for example, use a wheel lock for your trailer and lock your engine compartment.
- Choose a marina with good security measures such as cameras, well-lit areas, and restricted access.
- If you are storing your boat on your property, use camera surveillance.
- Choose a secure boat storage facility that has camera surveillance.
- Don’t leave any valuables on your boat.
- Be cautious about pictures and comments about your boat on social media.
- Use an alarm system with door sensors and laser sensors.
- Install a kill switch in the ignition system to disable the boat’s engine remotely.
- Install an alarm system.
What to do if your boat is stolen
Contact police and your boat insurance provider right away to report the theft of your boat and to start the insurance claims process.
Be sure to provide as much detailed information about your boat as possible (type, length, age), identification numbers, and any tracking data. You can also check online marketplaces for any signs of your boat.
You can register your stolen boat with Stolen Boats Canada to help with recovery. Stolen Boats Canada has listings of stolen boats, engines, and trailers to help owners and police in their recovery and to protect prospective buyers.
Why boat insurance is important
Boats are usually a big investment for their owners. Theft is typically covered by comprehensive boat insurance policies, but you will need to understand the details of theft coverage in your policy and if there are any restrictions. Ask a Western Financial Group boat insurance expert about coverage for your boat.
To sum up
Just like your car, your boat can be stolen. Vigilance, anti-theft measures, and boat insurance all help to protect your boat against theft.
5 FAQs about boat theft
How often do yachts get stolen?
Yachts do get stolen, but they are relatively rare compared to smaller boats. Smaller boats are more commonly stolen.
Does boat insurance cover theft?
Boat insurance typically includes coverage for theft. This coverage is usually part of comprehensive boat insurance coverage, which also protects against damage from accidents, vandalism, and severe weather. It’s important to understand your boat policy’s theft coverage and what is included and what is not included.
Do thieves ever steal just the boat’s motor?
Yes, thieves often steal just the boat’s motor. Outboard motors are in demand, especially those with high horsepower.
Can I lock the engine to the boat to prevent theft?
Yes, locking the engine to the boat can help prevent boat theft. You can also lock the cabin, trailer tires and wheels, and fuel cap for added protection.
Is a boat safer from theft on a lift?
Storing a boat on a lift is usually safer from theft than storing it on a trailer or in a marina. Boats on lifts are elevated above the waterline, making them more difficult to reach and steal.
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