Boat Insurance in New Hampshire

Also providing boat insurance to residents in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, & Vermont.

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What is boat insurance?

All boat owners in New Hampshire must take into account the risks that are associated with recreational boating. This includes following all relevant safety protocols, and carrying all required safety gear. It also often includes getting boat insurance.

Boat insurance is specially designed to cover watercraft, including most boats, personal watercraft and other vessels. It may provide important financial protection if anything happens on the water.

Who in New Hampshire needs watercraft insurance?

Most New Hampshire residents who have a boat or personal watercraft should consider watercraft insurance. Policies are broadly available for powerboats, jet skis, sailboats, and even some small boats.

When evaluating their need for insurance, boaters should take into account both the property and liability protections that insurance can offer. Protecting a valuable boat against theft or damage can be important. Protecting against liability lawsuits can be important regardless of a boat’s size or value.

What are the coverages included in watercraft insurance?

Watercraft insurance normally has multiple coverages, which allow policies to offer robust protections against an array of risks. Some included coverages resemble those in auto insurance policies, while others are more exclusively for watercraft-related risks.

The following are coverages typically found in both auto and boat policies, although terms can be slightly adapted for watercraft policies:

• Comprehensive Coverage: This generally covers non-collision damage to the insured boat. 
• Collision Coverage: This generally covers collision damage to the boat if it collides with another watercraft.
• Medical Payments Coverage: This generally covers medical expenses related to harm or injuries that people aboard sustain.
• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: This generally covers medical and other costs related to harm, injuries or drownings.
• Property Damage Liability Coverage: This generally covers damage caused to other boats, docks, slips, break walls or property. 

Here are some coverages that tend to be more specifically for water-related risks:

• Coverage for the boat when it’s at a launch, dock, mooring, yacht/boat club or marina
• Coverage for the retrieval of the boat if it ever sinks 
• Coverage for sports equipment and fishing gear stored on the boat 
• Coverage for electronics like fish finders, radar and electronic charting systems 
• Coverage for safety gear, such as life vests, stored on the boat

Is it necessary to get insurance for small boats?

As the prices of smaller watercraft such as paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, skiffs, and sailing dinghies rise, some owners may want insurance just because of the vessel’s value.

Owners who don’t have expensive boats shouldn’t automatically write off insurance because their vessels aren’t big or expensive, though. They should at least consider the liability risks that even a small and inexpensive boat presents, and evaluate their need for liability coverage while on the water. In these situations, insurance might be wanted if for no other reason than to financially protect in the event of a drowning or other injury.

Is boating covered by homeowners insurance?

In select situations, a boat might be covered by homeowners insurance. The watercraft usually must be small, and have a small or no engine. The homeowners policy needs to have terms that extend property and/or liability coverage to certain watercraft.

Boat owners can consult an insurance agent who specializes in boat policies agent for help with reviewing a homeowners policy’s protections. A knowledgeable agent will be able to ascertain whether a specific homeowners policy covers a specific boat, and advise as to whether a se0aratenboat policy is needed.

How can New Hampshire boat owners get boat insurance?

If you need help insuring a boat in New Hampshire, reach out to the independent insurance agents at Insurance24. Our team has a wealth of knowledge about boat insurance policies, and will guide you towards a policy that offers robust protection for both you and your vessel.