Insuring a charter boat can be very different from obtaining insurance for a pleasure or sporting boat. To begin with, the charter boat will require additional insurance because the vessel represents the livelihood of its owner. Loss of the vessel means not only loss of the boat itself, but also loss of income, as well as countless of amounts of secondary damage derived from “lack of use” of the vessel (lost contracts, loss of expected income, refunds to potential passengers, etc…). Additionally, a charter boat’s main function is to carry passengers for a fee, whether for a day fishing charter, or a brief sight seeing trip. The mere presence of passengers on the vessel presents many liability risks. Consider the possible outcome to passengers if the vessel should be involved in an accident, while operating as a chartered watercraft. Consider, as well, the risks to the owner of the vessel, in the possibility of personal injury suits, negligence suits, property loss or damage, etc… should an accident occur while the boat is operating. Charter vessels also need special insurance to protect against damages by passengers. Broken equipment, vandalism, and excessive wear and tear to the boat’s interior, are just a few of the problems often experienced by charter boat owners. Theft of equipment and gear may also become an issue for the Charter boat owner. The boat owner will want to make sure that the policy selected will cover all potential risks, losses and damages, insuring that both the owner and the passengers are duly protected.
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Boat insurance rates will go up and down and it happens to be based on a few factors of risk. You’ll want to make sure that you consider that boat insurance is much like car insurance. For those who have had bad experiences the price will be much higher, but for those who are good sailors you will have lower rates. You will also be able to get a discount if you take a class on how to operate a boat in a proper manner.
When it comes to having safety equipment you will need to think about how it will affect the boat insurance. Fire extinguishers, emergency equipment and other special safety features installed on the boat will help lower the rate of the insurance premium. The age of the boat or the value of the boast will also impact the rate of insurance. For a newer boat, you will have a higher premium, but also the most expensive the boat is, the more expensive it will be to insure. You will also need to remember that the boat will depreciate each year and that too will have an affect on your boat insurance. Also, you’ll find that it is a lot like car insurance and the risk of liability will also increase the cost of insurance. Previous tickets or boating accidents will directly affect the rate you pay for your insurance. Since, there is a presents of neglect and liability, you will find that if the owner was at fault because of drugs or alcohol. Then the premiums will be the highest. Then to obtain the best insurance you will want to install some safety features and have the boat looked at. You will find that this is a tax write off too. You’ll also want to make sure that you follow all the laws and rules of the local and state. You will also find that there are tax breaks just as there are when it comes to operating a car. If your vessel is more than 10 years old your insurance carrier may require you to receive a Marine Survey, to certify that the boat is both safe and seaworthy. The Marine survey will also give your insurance carrier an idea of what the vessel is worth, according to fair market value, an important aspect in getting an accurate insurance quote.
A marine survey can benefit you in several ways. While you may contract the survey to be done because an insurance carrier or potential lender has required it, it may save you money on your insurance premium, in the long run. A thorough survey can also identify potential problems that you may not have been aware of, helping you to avoid an unwanted accident, or break down on the water. Marine surveyors will generally inspect the hull and frame of your watercraft, as well as the engine and any other exposed areas. Surveyors can often identify problems, and offer suggestions on repairs or maintenance. Letting the boat owner know of potential risks and hazards allows for preventative measures to be taken, before a disaster occurs. The cost of a marine survey varies depending on the extent of work to be done. Larger vessels obviously take longer to inspect, and therefore will be more expensive to survey than a smaller craft. The cost of the survey itself, however, is small in comparison to the risks a boat owner may take in not having one completed. |
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