Pennsylvania Boat Insurance
Find the right boat insurance policy for you.
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Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Pennsylvania has abundant boating opportunities with 85,000 miles of rivers and streams, 76 natural lakes, 200,000 acres of impoundments behind dams, 63 miles of shoreline on Lake Erie, and access to the Atlantic by way of the Delaware River. Before taking your boat anywhere, however, you should be sure you have the proper Pennsylvania boat insurance.
An independent agent in the Trusted Choice® network can help you compare Pennsylvania boat insurance quotes so you can be sure you obtain the policy that is right for you. Contact an agent today to get started.
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Pennsylvania Boating Statistics
- There were 86 boating accidents in Pennsylvania in one year
- 57 of these accidents caused injury
- The total property damage arising from these accidents was $196,563
Pennsylvania Boating Laws
As a boater in Pennsylvania, you should be aware of the following:
- Boats propelled by motors must be registered in Pennsylvania
- Unpowered boats using lakes controlled by the Boating Commission must also be registered
- Titles are required for all motorboats with a model year of 1997 or later, unless the boat is less than 14 feet in length
Pennsylvania does not have an insurance requirement for boats, but until you have obtained proper Pennsylvania boat insurance, you should stay off the water.
The safest thing to do is to work with a member agent in the Trusted Choice network to obtain the coverage that is right for you.
Will My Homeowners Policy Cover My Boating Exposure?
Some homeowners policies will provide limited property coverage and liability coverage for smaller boats of up to a certain number of feet in length or motor boats not over a certain horsepower. Some policies may cover the boat on your premises but not while it is elsewhere. A separate boat policy may give you full replacement coverage if your boat is damaged or lost while your homeowners policy may pay for only the depreciated value.
If you have a licensed trailer, it's a good idea to add it to your auto policy for damage to the trailer and for liability when you're using it. A homeowners policy may cover a trailer for damage on your premises, but might not cover its use elsewhere.
You will likely be much better protected if you purchase a separate policy designed specifically for watercraft exposures.
Your Trusted Choice member agent can help you evaluate your present coverage and decide which course of action is best for you.
Obtaining Proper Pennsylvania Boat Insurance
When you purchase a separate boat policy you will be able to obtain the following coverages:
- Bodily injury liability: this protects you for injury you may cause to another person while using your watercraft
- Property damage liability: this protects you for damage you may cause to another person's property
- Uninsured/Underinsured liability: this protects you and anyone else using your boat for bodily injury and property damage costs if another boater who is responsible for an accident does not carry adequate insurance
- Medical payments: this provides for medical expenses arising from an accident on your boat, irrespective of liability
- Hull coverage: this protects you from excessive costs for damage to your boat
- Equipment coverage: some policies will let you add coverage for special equipment such as high valued fishing gear
- Disablement coverage: this will cover the costs of towing and certain repairs if you boat becomes disabled
Being sure you have the proper coverage with a good company at the lowest possible cost requires knowledge and experience. Work with a member of the Trusted Choice network who can help you compare Pennsylvania boat insurance quotes.
Boating Safety
There is a great deal you can do to lessen your exposure to damage or injury by taking some simple steps to increase your safety:
- Take an approved boating safety course for which many carriers will give you a premium credit
- Have a qualified person give your boat a safety check
- All persons on your boat should wear a lifejacket at all times
- Avoid the use of alcohol or drugs
- Do not let inexperienced drivers operate your boat
- If water skiing, tubing, etc. always have a driver and a spotter
- Have a tool kit aboard your boat
- Carry a radio to monitor weather
- Know your territory and your boat's capability
The best advice is to use common sense. Don't exceed your or the boat's capabilities.
Caveats on Boat Insurance
It's a good idea to be aware of several restrictions or exclusions that are common to boat insurance policies. Many policies name designated waters in which you can operate. A common restriction is to have watercraft use limited to inland lakes and streams. If you have such a restriction on your policy and you take your boat out on the ocean or onto one of the great lakes, you may not have coverage.
Some policies exclude certain types of activities such as parasailing, using the boat in an organized race or an organized fishing competition, for example. You can rely on a Trusted Choice agent to be sure of any exclusions or restrictions that might affect your use of your boat. Contact your agent to make sure you know how you're covered.
Save on Boat Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Pennsylvania Boat Insurance
You can expect many hours of enjoyment using your boat in PA waters. Just be sure you have the proper training and follow the common sense rules for boating. Also be sure that you have a Pennsylvania boat insurance policy that properly covers you and your activities.
A member of the Trusted Choice network can work with you to compare Pennsylvania boat insurance quotes from multiple companies. You can be sure you have the coverage that is right for you when you comparison shop. Contact a Trusted Choice member agent today.