Arkansas PWC Insurance
Find the right pwc insurance policy for you.
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Every year, thousands of people flock to the pristine waters of Arkansas. Whether you enjoy taking your PWC to Lake Ouachita during the summer, or you frequent Millwood Lake with your personal water craft, The Natural State offers endless recreation on some of the best lakes and rivers in America. Unfortunately, many boaters and PWC enthusiasts neglect to carry insurance and end up paying thousands of dollars when accidents happen.
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Before you search for PWC insurance quotes, however, there are several factors to consider.
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Arkansas Boating Statistics
According to the U.S. Coast Guard:
- Nearly 70 boating and PWC accidents took place on AR waters in 2012 alone.
- Eight people died in 2012 as a result of boating accidents in the state.
- Of the 70 accidents, 50 caused serious but nonfatal injuries.
- Roughly 34 of those accidents caused property damage, resulting in $310,500 in losses, an average of more than $9,000 per incident.
What Is PWC Insurance?
PWC insurance operates much like boat or car insurance and can help you recover quickly from an accident or injury by helping to pay your costs. You pay a monthly or annual premium for the protection a PWC insurance policy offers.
Some of the many makes and models of PWCs that are likely to be insured under your policy include:
- Sea-Doos
- WaveRunners
- Jet Skis
- Stand-up PWCs
- 4-person PWCs
Even if your make and model are not on this list, you can probably get insurance coverage; just ask your insurance agent about your particular PWC.
Why Is PWC Insurance Important?
The average cost of the common PWCs on the market is anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. That is a considerable investment for most households. You want to protect your watercraft from damages, theft and vandalism. But you also need protection should you cause an injury to another boater or damage their dock or other property, as you could face a lawsuit demanding compensation. Only a comprehensive PWC insurance policy can help protect your personal finances in that event.
What Does PWC Insurance Cover?
Most insurance companies will offer you several options from which to choose as you build your PWC insurance policy, including:
- Liability coverage: This can help pay for your costs associated with injuring another person or damaging their property while operating your PWC. It can help pay for anything from their medical treatment to your court and legal fees if you are sued.
- Collision coverage: This can help pay for repairs to your PWC should you be involved in an accident with another boater, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: This can help pay for repairs to or replacement of your PWC if it is damaged or totaled by fire, severe weather events, theft or vandalism.
- Wreckage and towing coverage: This can help pay for the costs of removing a sunken PWC from a lake or other body of water and the cost of towing it to the repair shop or your home.
- Accessories coverage: This can help pay for the replacement of certain equipment you use with your PWC, such as fishing tackle or safety gear.
Am I Required to Carry PWC Insurance in Arkansas?
Although not required by state law, PWC insurance is strongly recommended by natural resources authorities and financial advisors alike. Arkansas state law does have this to say about PWCs, however:
- A person under 16 years of age may not operate any personal watercraft that is not rated to carry at least two people.
- A person under 12 years of age must have a person at least 21 years of age on board who must:
- Satisfy the boating education requirement if born on or after January 1, 1986; and
- Be in a position to take immediate control of the PWC.
- A person 12 through 15 years of age must have a person at least 18 years of age on board who must:
- Satisfy the boating education requirement if born on or after January 1, 1986; and
- Be in a position to take immediate control of the PWC.
- A person 16 years of age or older must satisfy the boating education requirement if born on or after January 1, 1986.
It is illegal for the owner or person in control of a personal watercraft to allow someone who does not meet the age or boating education requirements to operate the PWC. A personal watercraft rental agency may not lease a PWC to a person under 18 years of age.
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What Will My PWC Insurance Quote Look Like?
No PWC and its rider are exactly alike, so no two PWC insurance policy quotes will be identical. Most insurance companies take several factors into consideration as they calculate your insurance premium quote, including:
- The year, make and model of the PWC
- The horsepower, engine type and maximum operating speed
- The value of your PWC
- Any modifications you have made to the PWC
- Any boater safety courses you have passed
The more expensive your PWC and the more powerful it is, the higher the insurance quotes will be to cover it. However, you should be able to find a PWC insurance policy for less than a few hundred dollars a year.
Where Can I Find PWC Insurance?
If you are involved in an accident while operating your PWC, the last thing you want to worry about is how you will afford to pay for repairs or medical treatment. Knowledgeable, independent insurance agents on the Trusted Choice® network are always available to answer your questions, suggest coverage options, and even assist you in filing a claim.
These agents have years of experience working with Arkansas insurance providers, enabling them to find you a number of quotes with the best coverage options at the most affordable rates. Contact a Trusted Choice agent near you to find out how you can obtain the perfect PWC insurance policy that meets your needs and budget.