Stand-Up PWC Insurance
(A guide on finding the right PWC coverage)
Written by
Jessica Huneck is an insurance writer from TrustedChoice.com. She began her writing career in 2011 and has since earned herself a bachelor's degree in English writing.
A stand up Jet Ski is a fun and exhilarating way to enjoy the water. Personal watercrafts, or PWCs, are fast and nimble to ride. They come in several different models, including one-person and multi-person watercrafts.
While the Kawasaki stand up Jet Ski is no longer being manufactured, many of these are still in use today.
If you own a stand up Jet Ski, you may be wondering what insurance you need to protect your investment. If so, contact a local independent insurance agent in our network today.
A local, professional agent can help you compare quotes from multiple insurance companies and can find the right coverage for you at a price you can afford.
Save on Personal Watercraft Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Jet Ski Trivia
- Some Jet Skis can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds
- The original personal watercraft was developed in the 1960s under the name “Sea-Doo”
- Driver inexperience, driver inattention, excessive speed, and reckless driving are the main causes of Jet Ski accidents
- The Coast Guard reports that Jet Skis make up only 10% of all boats, but are involved in 30% of all boating accidents.
Why Do You Need Stand Up PWC Insurance?
There are a number of reasons to insure your personal watercraft. For one thing, a stand up Jet Ski is prone to tipping over and throwing the operator into the water. Its design is entirely different than that of a boat, which has places for passengers to sit or hang on.
Moreover, the size difference between a PWC and a boat is considerable. Jet Skis are much smaller than even a tiny powerboat, and this makes operating one more dangerous due to speed, power and exposure.
Just as a motorcycle is difficult to see on the highway, the small size of the stand up PWC can make it more difficult for other boaters to see it in the water.
There are fewer safety features on a Jet Ski, as well. This further increases the chance of injury or mishap. It is a good idea to insure yourself and your personal watercraft to protect your investment and to have the resources to recover from an accident on the water.
Who Needs Stand Up Jet Ski Insurance?
Whether you plan to operate the watercraft yourself or loan it out to friends, it is important that you have some liability coverage to cover your legal responsibility if you cause an accident.
Otherwise, this legal responsibility can result in out-of-pocket costs for another person’s property damage, bodily injuries or hospitalization, and even legal fees if you are sued.
Many states require that any operators under age 21 pass a boater safety exam before they can operate a PWC. Other states have minimum age requirements; in some states, the minimum is age 14, while in others Jet Ski drivers must be at least 16 years old.
PWC operators should be covered by insurance regardless of age – so keep that in mind as you’re purchasing a policy for yourself and your family.
Stand Up vs. Sit Down PWCs
The main difference between stand up and sit down Jet Skis is their size. Stand up PWCs are made to be operated from a standing or kneeling position. They are designed for speed and maneuverability, whereas sit down PWCs are larger, more stable, and are designed to carry more than one person.
Sit down PWCs do not tip over easily, but still can tip if the riders are unbalanced or turn too quickly. Stand up Jet Skis are very small, which makes them less stable than sit down models. These watercrafts require balance, coordination and skill maneuvering around waterways.
What Does Stand Up PWC Insurance Cover?
Stand up PWC insurance typically covers you if you are involved in an accident that causes injury to you another person, or damages another person’s property. Some Jet Ski insurance also covers you for vandalism or theft.
Normally, this insurance covers things like:
- Liability for bodily injury or death during an accident you caused
- Liability for property damage to docks, equipment, or other watercrafts
- Damage to the hull or machinery of your craft
- Medical expenses for injuries to yourself, your passengers or people you tow with your Jet Ski
- Damages to your boat caused by another operator’s negligence
- Damage or injury resulting from an uninsured operator
- Costs to tow your personal watercraft
Save on Personal Watercraft Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How to Purchase a Personal Watercraft Insurance Policy
If you want a policy that meets all your needs at the right price, your best bet is to contact a local independent insurance agent near you.
Local member agents in our network understand the insurance laws and boating ordinances where you live. Independent agents are not tied to a single provider, so they can shop around to find a policy that works best for you.
An independent agent can fill all your insurance needs, from a homeowners policy, to car insurance, to business insurance, to stand up PWC insurance.
Whatever you may need to insure, your local, independent agent can get it done; you won’t need to talk to a number of different insurance providers when you contact an agent.
Your agent can craft a policy that protects you from liability and the costs of injury, at a rate that meets your budgetary needs.