Category Archives: North Carolina Boat Insurance

Things You Should Know about Named Storm Deductibles

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With boats on the water and hurricane season upon us, we compiled a list of The Top Five Things You Need to Know about Named Storm Deductibles for Progressive Boat customers:

  1. It only applies to losses that occur in a county that was under an official Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch or Warning at the time of loss.
  2. While Disappearing Deductibles will not apply to a named storm loss, all Disappearing Deductible benefits will continue to accrue.
  3. The Named Storm deductible is either two times the original Comprehensive deductible, or five percent of the watercraft value — whichever is larger.
  4. Both the Application and Declarations pages show the Named Storm deductible amount.
  5. You can reduce your risk by having a hurricane plan and following these steps for preparing for major storms.

How are you paid in the event of a loss on your vessel?

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How are you paid in the event of a loss?

When discussing how you are paid, you need to distinguish between a total loss and a partial loss. Most of us are concerned how the boat insurance policy responds in the event of a total loss. The likelihood of a total loss is much less than a partial loss; therefore it is important to understand how the policy pays for both.

There are three different types of boat insurance policies — agreed value, actual cash value and replacement cost. One of these three could be paid in the event of a total loss. In the event of a partial loss, you will need to know if the policy is paying replacement cost or depreciated value.

 

Agreed Value

Agreed Value is easy. You and the insurance company agree on the value of the boat before the loss. Using our example, you would be paid $40,000. If the current value of the boat at the time of the loss is $20,000 or $55,000, you would be paid $40,000, the Agreed Value of the boat.

Actual Cash Value

Actual Cash Value is the value of the boat at the time of the loss. A boat insurance company will pay the insured value or the Actual Cash Value of the boat at the time of the loss, whichever is lower. In our example, if the Actual Cash Value of the boat is $25,000, this is the most you will be paid. If the Actual Cash Value is $55,000, then you would be paid the insured value of $40,000. The Actual Cash Value is determined by the insurance company from sources such as a used boat price guide and other boats listed for sale.

Replacement Cost

The newest option is Replacement Cost. A Replacement Cost policy agrees to replace your boat with a new boat. You are required to purchase this coverage when the vessel is new and the coverage is only available until the vessel is two or three years old. Our $40,000 three year old boat has a Replacement Cost new today of $45,000. The Replacement Cost policy would pay $45,000 for a new boat. Some policies may specifically state they will pay a percentage over the amount the vessel is insured for, 20% for example. Once the boat reaches the age where replacement cost is no longer available, the policy form will be changed to Agreed Value or Actual Cash Value.

It’s Time for Boating Season

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It’s Boating Season

Every summer, our team gets calls from customers after a fun weekend on the water takes a turn for the worse. Often, these accidents could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions. Here are a few tips we like;

 Don’t let an accident wreck your fun!

 Life Preservers Aren’t Just for Kids. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board — wear them! In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies to adults, not just children: More people in their 30s die in boating accidents than any other age group. Life vests have come a long way in style. Today, you can even get vests for your water-loving dog!

 

 Watercraft Insurance

 Most home insurance policies have limited coverage for boats. If you own a boat, watercraft insurance is your best bet: It covers theft, damage, and injuries or accidents while you’re on the water, as well as some of your expensive watersports gear.

 

Watch the Back of the Boat. Carbon monoxide kills in minutes. So tell your passengers where your exhaust pipes are located and turn off your engine when people are in the water, and don’t let passengers “ski” or “teak-surf” by holding on to the back of the boat. BothWashington andOregon made teak-surfing illegal in the last few years, after several tragic deaths. Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats; older boats install devices for less than $100.

 

Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix. More than 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

 

Boats Need TLC Too. When you’re out on the water, make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waste and grease. Carry a charged fire extinguisher. Have your boat’s operating systems checked yearly by a certified marine technician. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons also offer free vessel safety checks.

 

Experience Counts! The U.S. Coast Guard says that operator errors account for 70 percent of all boating accidents. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly trained. You can also earn boat insurance discounts from Safeco and other insurers if you complete a safety course with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons.