As a boat owner, the last thing to enter in your mind, when you're sailing out in the ocean, is to make an insurance claim. You also want to avoid doing that as much as possible because it simply means that you’ve put your boat in trouble. You certainly want to avoid boat accidents and unfortunate incidents so you do all the things needed to do to always stay safe. However, worse things can happen at sea, unfortunately. And when you least expect it, accidents can also happen at the docks or at a marina.

If you don’t have one now, you should get one as soon as possible. A boat insurance can help you pay for repairment of your boat caused by damages. There are different types of insurance coverage options to choose from. For example, you can make your boat policy an a la carte combo of what is important to you as a boat owner, or focus on coverage over incidents that you feel like it’ll more likely happen to you.

So how does boat insurance work? It generally works the same way as you would make an insurance claim on vehicle, home, or health, but be aware that the following claims listed below are the ones usually insurance companies will compensate you for: 

Hitting Underwater Objects

A lot of debris from shipwrecks, rocks, and aquatic plants are hidden below the water’s surface, especially if you’re boating in shallow waters. The best way to avoid them is by watching the water depth closely as grounding in shallow water can cause significant damage to your boat’s hull. Look out for any buoys or markers that could indicate potential risks to your boat. If you have a depth finder device, make use of this as this will tell you how deep the water your boat is currently located. Remember to operate the boat cautiously when you’re in shallow waters.

Weather Damage

Severe weather conditions can destroy your boat at the dock or on the water. Check weather forecasts before you go out to ensure you’ll have a safe time out in the water. If the weather is not looking good, it’s best to cancel your fishing trip to avoid going out to the ocean and get stuck in a storm. If you can’t help it and found yourself stuck in bad weather while being out in the ocean, make sure to secure your boat and yourself by putting fenders on the side of the boat’s hull, removing items that could become debris, and verifying that your boat is watertight. Put on lifejackets and carefully navigate your boat back to shore where you can take shelter and secure your boat properly.

Injury to Everyone Onboard

Put safety first to avoid injuries to passengers, drivers, and other vessels. Avoid doing reckless things when you’re out in the ocean by drinking alcohol or not practising safety when operating a boat. The last thing you want is to get sued due to negligence.

Colliding With Other Boats

Monitor your speed to avoid creating wakes and pay special attention to neighbouring boats while docking or leaving the docking area. Have passengers act as extra sets of eyes and instruct them to stay attentive to what is happening around them. If you’re in an area where there is water vessel traffic, it’s best to slow down and operate the boat cautiously.

Theft

Theft from small belongings to the boat itself is a top marine insurance claim. If your boat is being moved or stored out of the water, take the extra precaution of removing the boat motor engine, placing a lock on the trailer, and removing any personal belongings that could easily be taken. When it’s docked, remove navigation gear and other expensive marine equipment from conspicuous areas and secure any valuables that remain on board. The main goal is to make it harder for thieves to succeed and deter their mischievous intentions.

Sinking

Sinking puts boats permanently out of commission. That means one of the most important upkeep you can do to a boat is verifying that it’s watertight. Check that the fittings, such as hoses and clamps, are doing their job and are keeping the water out.

Fire in the Boat

This may not be the biggest fear of boaters that could happen on the water since it rarely happens, but fire can cause serious, irreversible damage to a boat. Many boat fires start with faulty wiring or fueling issues that can spark an explosion. Look for any rusting on outlets or chafing of wires to guarantee you’re not at risk. It is especially important to pay attention if you ever smell gas. If you do, immediately get off the boat and have it checked. As a final precaution against fire, keep a fire extinguisher with you on board.

Knowing the common boat insurance claims and following the tips to avoid them is the best way to protect your investment and your passengers. Talk to a local lender or boat dealerships that provide marine finance on boats or motor engines to get the right coverage.