Virginia Boat Insurance: Why Attaching Your Boat to a Homeowners Policy is a Mistake

​Buying boat insurance coverage in Virginia is easy. But finding the right coverage for your boat depends on what type of boat insurance policy you buy. It is very common for a homeowner that buys a boat to simply attach the boat to their homeowners insurance policy. It is simple and easy to do. And it usually costs a few bucks less than a stand alone boat insurance policy. However, as you are about to see, there are major shortcomings with coverage using that strategy.


 When you compare a stand alone boat insurance policy versus a boat attached to a homeowners policy (HO), there is no comparison! Stand alone boat insurance coverage wins over a boat attached to a HO every time:

• Many HO policies don't cover a boat that is moored in a marina.
• Some HO policies exclude boaters who participate in fishing tournaments, regattas and poker runs.
• HO policies usually use ACV basis instead of Agreed Value.
• HO policies are less flexible about the size and horsepower of the boat than a stand alone boat insurance policy.
• HO policies offer very little coverage for personal property.

   Other coverages not usually found on a HO policy that are usually found on a stand alone boat insurance policy:

• Emergency assistance
• Protection from uninsured boats and medical payments coverage.
• Recovery costs (debris removal)
• Trailer coverage
• Coverage on accessories
• liability coverage for spillage (fuel leakage)

  Of course these coverage options will vary between one company and another.  But as a general rule of thumb, stand alone boat insurance coverage is always superior. It's also important to note that stand alone coverage for boats is usually only a few dollars more than a boat insurance policy attached to homeowners. So therefore it's well worth the few extra bucks for the much better coverage.

*** Bonus tip: With most stand alone boat insurance policies, you get a discount for taking a safety course. Now that the state of Virginia has required all boat operators to take a boat safety course, this helps close the premium gap between the two. So be sure to inquire about the boat safety course discount.




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