Watercraft insurance isn’t required in every state. However, there are situations and circumstances when you’re required to carry it. A licensed insurance agent from Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency can ask the right questions to help you determine if watercraft insurance is a wise investment for you. Even though Georgia laws don’t require watercraft owners to invest in watercraft insurance, it may be needed to dock at certain marinas or if you have a boat or watercraft loan. Winder, GA watercraft owners can ask questions to get the necessary information and coverage. 

What is watercraft insurance?

Watercraft insurance protects uninsured watercraft owners if their watercraft is damaged. It also provides coverage for any property damage you may cause while operating your watercraft and any injuries you may cause to others. You may also be required to carry watercraft insurance if you’re financing your watercraft. Most lenders require insurance coverage until your watercraft is paid for in full. Your unique situation will determine whether watercraft insurance is a wise investment meant for you. We can help you explore your options. 

Do I need boat/watercraft insurance to operate a boat in my state?

Although Georgia doesn’t require watercraft owners to carry insurance, people who have a loan are usually required to carry insurance. Also, marinas may require you to have insurance to dock your boat. State laws aren’t the only determining factors when it comes to whether or not you need watercraft insurance. If you have more questions regarding watercraft insurance, we are happy to answer them. Call us. We’re standing by. We can answer all of your questions and help you get the coverage you need. 

Properly insuring your boat while it’s in storage is essential to protect a significant investment against unanticipated events. According to the insurance professionals at the Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency in Winder, GA, consider these insurance tips for your boat while in storage.

Insurance Tips for Boats While in Storage

Start by reviewing your existing boat insurance policy to be certain you understand existing limitations/exclusions.

Choose an Appropriate Storage Location:

• • Indoor Storage– with the highest level of security and overall protection. Rates may be reduced for this type of boat storage.
  • Outdoor Storage-  as one would expect, outdoor storage facilities are generally less secure, so additional coverage may be recommended.  
  • Trailer Storage requires that you ensure it is properly secured to the trailer. Consider adding or revising your comprehensive coverage to protect against damage, theft, etc.

Other Important Considerations

Certain companies provide their customers with discounts for boats in secure facilities. Check to see if you qualify.

• Before storing your boat, take pictures to document the boat’s current condition and maintain accurate records and receipts should you need them for a future claim.
• Invest in security for your boat storage area – i.e., a surveillance camera, alarms, etc., which may help qualify you for premium discounts.  
• Let your insurer know about the location and security measures.
• Review your policy’s deductible to understand how it may differ for storage-related claims. A higher deductible often translates to lower insurance premiums, but it requires higher out-of-pocket costs should a covered event occur.

Contact a Leading Insurance Agency Today

Remember that boat insurance requirements and options vary. Contact Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency in Winder, GA today.

At Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency in Winder, GA, we frequently have boat and watercraft owners asking us whether they are required to have boat insurance in the lovely Peach State. While every state is different, Georgia state law does require certain kinds of insurance and lets policyholders make that decision for themselves. We’ll cover whether boat insurance is necessary in Georgia and why you should consider looking into it as a boat owner, no matter what the law says.

What is boat insurance?

Boat insurance, also called watercraft insurance, is a kind of insurance policy that covers boats and other watercraft. These can include large motorboats, kayaks, canoes, and even jet skis under some policies. The point of boat insurance is to cover the insurance policyholder in situations such as liability, theft, and damage through natural disasters in some cases.

Does Georgia require boat insurance by law?

According to Georgia law, boat owners are not legally required to have boat insurance. That being said, boat insurance is still a worthwhile investment for any responsible boat owner. Although we never think our boat will be stolen, destroyed, or the cause of an accident, we can never know these things until they happen.

Even if the law doesn’t require boat insurance, most insurance professionals would recommend that those who own boats or watercraft get boat insurance as a safety net for these unpredictable scenarios. If you never get into an accident or have your boat stolen, it’s worth the sense of security. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be grateful that you have the coverage you need when you need it.

Contact Us Today

For a quote on our boat insurance policies at Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency in Winder, GA, call our office today!

It should come as no surprise that boat insurance is similar to car insurance in quite a few ways. After all, just like you do with cars, you drive, park, and store boats, and boats can also get damaged by the elements or even stolen. 

However, because boats and cars also have fundamental differences, there also happen to be differences between boat insurance and car insurance. Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency in Winder, GA provides this guide in navigating the two types of coverage. 

How Boat Insurance Compares to Car Insurance

Similarities 

1. Policies vary from company to company. That means there can be differences in pricing as well as policy options. However, the main types of boat coverage you can expect to find include physical damage coverage and property damage liability. 
2. You can opt for optional coverage. While optional coverage options for cars include collision, comprehensive, and glass coverage, options for boats include uninsured/underinsured boater and medical payments coverage. 

Differences 

1. Boat insurance isn’t mandatory. But even though you aren’t required to insure your boat, you’re strongly encouraged to do so. What makes having coverage even more important is the possibility that someone else’s uninsured boat will damage your boat. And not having boat insurance doesn’t mean you don’t have any legal responsibility. So liability coverage is always a wise choice for boat owners. 
2. You can purchase boat insurance at an agreed value. Unlike auto insurance companies, boat insurers provide “agreed value” coverage options that allow you to insure your boat at a predetermined amount. With boat coverage, if you experience a loss, you’ll be paid that exact amount no matter how much the boat has been damaged. 

Contact Us Today

If you’re in the Winder, GA area and are looking for competitive boat/watercraft insurance rates, look no further than Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency. To get started, contact one of our trusted associates and we’ll get in touch with you about all the options we have available.

When you’re out there in your boat, you can’t always see what’s beyond your view. It might be fog. It could be rain, or just a rock in the middle of the lake you didn’t know was there. What can you do to protect yourself from the uncertainties?

While the state of Georgia has no mandated requirements for carrying boat insurance, it is a good practice if you own a boat. No matter how much you ride in open water, there is always a chance for accidents the more you are on the water. Sooner or later, you may run into a storm, another boat, or experience an incident such as running across underwater rocks or other materials that can damage your boat.

What Does Boating Insurance Cover?

Boat insurance covers pretty much any type of incident or accident that could occur either while sailing or driving your boat or while your boat is parked in the docks. Boat insurance is a layer of protection you don’t want to be without in case an incident occurs.

Where to Find Boat Insurance in Winder, GA

If you live in the Winder, GA area, Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency has your back when you are looking for boat insurance to protect your boat against many types of problems, damage, and injury. They have years of experience in offering insurance for boat owners as well as many other kinds of insurance coverage like home, life, and health.

Full-Featured Insurance Company

If you are looking for a full-featured insurance company, look no further than Ransom & Associates Insurance Agency, serving the Winder, GA area. We carry a full line of protection for home, RV, boat, and many others. Visit us online and ask for a quote or call (404) 693-6330. 

Remember, when the water is deep, you need a better life preserver. We can help you by offering boat insurance to protect you from the unforeseen events that lie ahead.