Category: Boat/Watercraft Insurance

Boating is a fantastic way to enjoy the open waters, but it’s critical to understand your boat insurance, too. At Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA, we are often asked about what boat insurance covers and doesn’t. Understanding exclusions can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Wear and Tear

Typically, wear and tear is a common exclusion in boat insurance policies. Like cars, boats experience natural degradation over time. Regular maintenance issues such as rust, corrosion, and general aging are usually not covered. This highlights the importance of consistent maintenance to keep your boat in good condition and avoid expensive out-of-pocket repair costs.

Damage from Marine Life

When boating, encounters with marine life are inevitable. Nonetheless, damage caused by marine creatures like sharks, whales, or even smaller organisms like mussels and barnacles is generally not covered. You might have to pay for repairs if your boat sustains damage due to these natural encounters.

Faulty Machinery

Another exclusion to be aware of in your policy is damage caused by faulty machinery or mechanical breakdown. If your boat’s engine fails or another mechanical part malfunctions, insurance often won’t cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Routine inspections and maintenance can help minimize the potential risk of mechanical issues.

Intentional Damage or Negligence

Insurance policies generally exclude intentional damage or negligence. This includes accidents resulting from reckless behavior or disregard of safety guidelines. Following boating regulations and using your boat responsibly is vital to safeguarding your coverage and protecting everyone on board.

Grasping these common exclusions can help you navigate your boat insurance policy more effectively. At Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA, we’re committed to clarifying your coverage and ensuring you have the protection you need on the water. Do you have questions or need a policy review? Contact us today and sail with confidence.

Boating is a delightful sport, but it comes with inherent risks. While boat insurance can’t prevent accidents, it is a vital safeguard if unexpected incidents occur while enjoying the lakes or rivers around Snellville, GA. When seeking boat insurance, it is essential to ensure it covers the following on-water events.

On-Water Towing

One crucial feature to look for in your boat insurance policy is on-water towing. Similar to roadside assistance for your vehicle, on-water towing provides help if your boat breaks down or cannot function. Depending on the policy, it could cover scenarios like damage, mechanical failure, and even running out of fuel.

Having this protection ensures you can get towed to safety without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses. Our team at Toney Insurance Services can assist you in reviewing policies and their coverages.

Submerged Boat Recovery

If your boat sinks or becomes submerged, the costs associated with raising, removing, or salvaging it can be astronomical. Often, it becomes imperative to salvage it regardless of whether you decide to reuse it, as leaving it submerged can damage the surrounding ecosystem.

Many boat insurance policies offer submerged boat recovery as a standard or optional protection. This could help you circumvent these exorbitant recovery costs should your boat sink.

Fuel Spill Liability

In the unfortunate event of an accident or sinking, your boat could leak fuel and oil into the water. This leakage may lead to environmental damage, cleanup costs, and potential legal action. Fuel spill liability coverage can protect you from such potential fines and consequences.

Investing in Comprehensive Boat Insurance

At Toney Insurance Services, we understand the significance of having varied coverages in your boat insurance policy. If you’re located in GA, allow us to assist you in securing comprehensive boat insurance equipped with these important protections.

Being a boat owner can be a lot of fun if you live in or around Snellville, GA. This part of Georgia will continue to offer many amenities, including having access to warm weather and many local lakes and waterways. If you are going to buy a boat when you are here, it is almost always a good idea to be properly insured. There are various situations in particular when having this coverage is a great option. 

When Investing in a New Boat

A situation when you will want to have this insurance is when you are investing in a new boat. A boat can cost a lot of money to purchase and care for. When you are properly insured, you are doing all that you can to protect this investment. A full boat plan will give coverage if you are involved in an accident, or the boat is stolen, and you need to repair or replace it. 

When Coverage is a Requirement

You also need to have coverage if it is a requirement. While it is not always a requirement, there are situations when boat insurance will be a necessity. If you have taken out a loan, you will need coverage to meet lender standards and document requirements. Various local lakes and marinas will also require you to carry insurance.  

Consult With Us

Having proper boat insurance is very important if you are in Snellville, GA and own a watercraft. As there are a lot of options to consider when shopping for coverage, starting your search by calling our team with Toney Insurance Services can be a great start. Our team with Toney Insurance Services will give you the help that is necessary to create a new plan and properly cover your boat. 

If you love being on the water, a boat makes a great investment. It’s also wise to protect that investment with boat insurance. Boat policies offer diverse coverage options, so you can choose the level of protection you want and need. A customized boat policy from Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA can help you optimize your protection without wasting money on unnecessary coverage.

Key Facts about Boat Insurance

As a new boat owner, you may be misinformed about insurance protection for your watercraft. The following boat insurance facts can help you make knowledgeable decisions concerning the coverage you need.

• First, you should be aware that home insurance offers very limited coverage for boats, so you can’t count on it to fully protect your new investment. Many home policies only cover boat towing, which is also included in a boat insurance policy.
• The larger your vessel, the greater your need for a separate boat insurance policy. If your boat is motorized, we also recommend insuring it properly with a boat policy.  
• Boat insurance will cover damage to your vessel from inclement weather or mishaps in and out of the water. It also offers liability protection against accidental injuries, coverage for boat theft and towing as well as loss of personal items if your boat sinks due to a catastrophe or accident.
• Some factors that can affect the cost of boat insurance include the type and amount of coverage you desire, the type of watercraft you own and its value, the security and safety features of your boat and your boating knowledge and experience.  
• By taking a boat safety course or purchasing multiple insurance policies from your insurer, you may qualify for a discount on your boat insurance coverage.

Contact Us for Boat Insurance!

For comprehensive boat insurance protection to best meet your needs, contact Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA.

While Georgia does not require you to have boat insurance in order to register and operate your boat, your lender may require it, and there are many benefits associated with obtaining it. Here at Toney Insurance Services, providing residents in the greater Snellville, GA area with boat insurance, we highly recommend you have boat insurance. We also recommend that you review your boat insurance policy once a year.

Here are a few reasons why:

Your Boat’s Value Could Change

One of the reasons why it is important to review your boat insurance policy every year is because the value of your boat can change from year to year. In many cases, boats decline in value, but during the pandemic, boats, even used boats, rose in value. You want to ensure your policy meets your needs and covers the value of your boat. 

The People Who Operate Your Boat Can Change

Another reason why it is important to review your boat insurance policy every year is that the people who operate your boat can change. Your child may have reached legal driving age or you may have gotten married and have a new spouse you want to include as covered operators on your policy. 

Your Financial Situation Can Change

Lastly, you should review your boat insurance policy every year because your financial situation can change from year to year. You may not have been able to pay a higher deductible in the past, but now, you may have more savings and may want to opt for a higher deductible to save on your policy. Or, you may have less money in savings and may want to reduce your deductible. 

We Are Here To Help!

Are you looking to purchase boat insurance in the greater Snellville, GA region? Turn to Toney Insurance Services to help you find the boat insurance policy that best meets your needs. Call us now to schedule an appointment to discuss different boat insurance policies or to get answers to the questions you have in regard to boat insurance.