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Personal Insurance / Watercraft

Boat & Watercraft Insurance

A boat spends most of the year not being a boat. It is on a trailer, in a driveway, or shrink-wrapped in a yard, and that is where a surprising share of claims happen. A policy written only for time on the water leaves the other nine months thin.

What It Covers

The parts of the policy, in plain terms.

  • Hull and machinery

    Physical damage to the boat and motor. Ask whether it is written at agreed value or actual cash value; the difference shows up entirely at total loss.

  • Liability

    Injury or property damage you cause on the water, including damage to a dock or another vessel.

  • Trailer coverage

    The trailer is a separate item and is not automatically covered by the boat policy or by your auto policy.

  • Wreck removal and fuel spill

    Two costs owners never budget for and that can exceed the value of the boat itself.

How it plays out

You are backing down a ramp at Wallenpaupack, the trailer jackknifes, and the hull takes a hit against the concrete. That is a physical damage claim that happened on land, on a trailer, before the boat ever touched water.

Placed with

  • Progressive
  • Foremost
  • American Modern

Frequently Asked Questions

Boat & Watercraft questions we get.

Does my homeowners policy cover my boat?
Only very small craft, and only up to a low limit with almost no liability coverage. Anything with a real motor needs its own policy.
Is my boat covered while it is stored for the winter?
A properly written policy keeps coverage in force during layup, often at a reduced rate. Freeze damage is a separate question and is frequently excluded, so winterizing correctly is not optional.
What is agreed value versus actual cash value?
Agreed value pays a figure you and the carrier set in advance if the boat is a total loss. Actual cash value pays depreciated value at the time of loss, which on an older boat can be a fraction of what you would need to replace it.

What Clients Say

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Dave is an amazing agent, and Kim is great too. They both worked very hard to get me the best rates. I felt they had my best interest at heart, not just what was good for them.
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I just finished buying a house. My previous agent couldn’t find coverage for it. My realtor told me that “Dave always has an answer for her problems.” She couldn’t have been more right.
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I highly recommend David Bartal. David took the time to listen to my circumstances and worked efficiently to get me quotes quickly. Within minutes, I had both my vehicles insured at a price I could actually afford. A very happy and satisfied customer.
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Also worth a look

Other coverage we write.

  • Auto Insurance

    Coverage shopped across multiple carriers, with real limits explained in plain terms.

  • Home Insurance

    Coverage for the structure, your belongings, and the liability that comes with owning a house.

  • Condo Insurance

    Fills the gap between the association's master policy and everything inside your unit.

  • Renters Insurance

    Your belongings and your liability, even though the building is not yours.

  • Flood Insurance

    Separate coverage for rising water, which no home or renters policy includes.

  • Motorcycle Insurance

    Cruisers, sport bikes, touring and off-road, with custom parts actually accounted for.

Let's get you a real number.

Tell us what you're insuring and David will shop it across our carriers. No obligation, and no pressure if your current policy turns out to be the better deal.

Independent agency / 10 carriers on file