Taking a boat out onto the water for a fun day with your friends and family is a great summer activity, especially on those uncomfortably hot days! However, whether you prefer a ski boat or a sailboat, boating can be dangerous and even the most experienced boat owners may have to file an insurance claim for a collision or injury on board if they are not prepared. These all-too-common occurrences result from a variety of factors, so we’ve listed a few of the most common boating insurance claims below, with some tips on how to stay safe and avoid them!

1. Hitting a Submerged Object

Whether it causes a simple scratch or a problematic hole, many boat owners experience damages caused by a run in with an underwater object that was obscured by murky water or floating debris.

While your boat insurance policy may cover this damage, there are ways to prevent it! If your boat has a depth sounder (as many larger boats do), always keep your eye on it while taking the outside conditions into account. In addition, steering within the marked channels and staying alert for any buoys or markers placed in the water to indicate hazards will keep your boat sailing smoothly.

2. Grounding

Grounding results from circumstances similar to hitting a submerged object, keeping it in the top 10 most common insurance claims, and it can cause some serious damage to your boat. Avoid grounding by following the same tips as above: consult charts, marked channels, and a depth sounder if possible.

3. Weather Damage

From hurricanes in the summer to wind and lightning storms in the fall, weather damage can occur at any point during the year. A boat operator should always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water to ensure that the conditions are safe. If you find yourself on the water already and a storm is approaching, get your boat back to shore and tie it securely to its mooring.

4. Theft While Anchored

Theft becomes an increasingly common insurance claim in the summer months, so in order to protect your property, be sure to remove navigational equipment from plain sight and secure your valuables! The Massachusetts Boater Safety Handbook has further tips for keeping your boat safe and preventing theft, which you can read here!

5. Injury

Insurance claims filed for injury will either fall under medical payments coverage, which covers any injuries suffered by you or your passengers, or bodily injury liability, which covers injuries that you caused to somebody else. These injuries are often the result of an inexperienced operator or passenger.

In order to keep everybody safe, make sure that you have an operator who has taken a safety course and plans to stay attentive to the waters. Taking a boating safety course is required in some states, but it can also save you money on your insurance and help protect your passengers from injury, so really, everybody benefits!

In addition, providing life jackets and remembering to never drink and boat are crucial to boating safety and injury prevention.

6. Collision With Other Boats

A collision between two boats can cost a hefty amount in total damages and it happens quite often in smaller bodies of water that contain a dense population of boats. If you know you will be taking your boat into crowded waters, stay alert and watch your speed. Collisions often occur when an operator is not paying attention and moving too fast to react in time when he sees another boat in his path.

Once again, taking a boating safety course can teach you the necessary rules of boating and navigation that will help you avoid any of these collisions.

7. Fire

Although fire damages are not the most common insurance claims filed, they are significant because a fire or explosion could result in the total loss of a boat. In order to keep your boat and your passengers safe, always keep fire extinguishers on board and check your boat for any issues before setting out on the water. This includes checking the engine for any gas or fluid leakage, ensuring that there are no electrical hazards, and running a blower to get any excess vapors from the bilge (the compartment in the lowest part of your boat) before turning the engine on.

Being prepared and staying attentive this boating season can protect you, your passengers and your boat, while saving you money on insurance! Check with your insurance agent to see if any of these discounts apply to you and make sure that your boat insurance policy has the proper coverage for your needs. Happy boating!

Sources:

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2013/october/top-ten-claims.asp 
https://www.travelers.com/resources/boating/boating-safety-tips.aspx