Nothing compares to an afternoon boating on one of Minnesota’s sparkling lakes or rivers. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to take your pontoon, fishing boat, catamaran, or high-performance powerboat out on the water. Just remember that with that opportunity comes risk. Whether your watercraft succumbs to inclement weather or you collide with another vessel, make sure your boat insurance will keep you afloat when the waters turn rough.
Boating in Minnesota: Mitigating Your Risks
Boating in Minnesota is unlike boating anywhere else. The climate alone is enough to produce serious perils caused by melting ice and freezing temperatures. Not to mention, many of the bodies of water in Minnesota contain rocky bottoms and shorelines – a hazard to boats of any size. Having the right insurance is essential to minimize your risk exposure. We offer a wide range of coverage, including:
Liability
When you are liable to a third-party for bodily injury or property damages, your liability insurance can help cover the cost up to the limits listed on your policy. Bodily injury liability insurance typically pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and judgments against you if you are sued. Your property damage liability helps pay for damage’s to another person’s boat or other property damaged in a collision.
Uninsured Boater Insurance
If you are hit by an uninsured boater, you might be on the hook for your own medical bills. With uninsured boater protection, you can minimize the impact your injuries will have on your personal finances.
Water-Skier Protection
If you operate a ski boat, make sure your insurance includes protection that extends to water skiers, tubers, and wake-boarders.
Physical Damage
Your boat wasn’t free, and repairing or replacing it won’t be, either. Make sure your boat insurance includes physical damage coverage for a wide range of risks. Whether you scrape up against a dock, collide with another boat, or your boat gets struck by lightning, all-risk physical damage protection can minimize your out-of-pocket losses.
Salvage, Fuel Spill Liability, Towing, and Assistance
A lot can happen on the water. Whether your watercraft breaks down and you need professional assistance to get it back to land or your boat capsizes and needs to be recovered, your insurance can help mitigate your recovery and assistance costs.
Accessories
Some of the costly accessories on your boat may not be covered by your standard policy. Be sure to include coverage for expensive accessories, including your navigational equipment and high-value fishing equipment.
Off-Season Protection
Even if you winterize your boat and store it away during the off-season, you still need insurance that protects you from potential losses during the winter months. Your risk exposure is lower when your boat is not in use, but it could still be susceptible to theft, vandalism, fire, and other perils. Make sure your insurance provides the level of coverage you need to protect your investment year-round.
Minnesota Boat Insurance Quotes
Keep in mind that boat insurance can vary from insurer to insurer. Unlike other more common types of insurance, a boat insurance policy may contain very different coverage from one company than it does from another. That is why it is important to work with an independent agent who can sort through your options to find the insurance protection that fits your needs.
Here at Patriot Insurance, we help our clients find boat insurance for watercraft of all sizes, from small sailboats to large yachts. For more information about Minnesota boat insurance or to request your free quote, contact our office today. We look forward to serving you soon.
