What Is Uninsured Boater Coverage and What Does It Cover?

Boating carries inherent risks, including accidents. Uninsured boater coverage provides a financial safety net when an accident occurs with an uninsured or underinsured vessel. It addresses a significant gap in protection that can arise from the absence of mandatory insurance requirements for boaters in many areas.

Understanding Uninsured Boater Coverage

Uninsured boater (UB) coverage provides protection for you and your passengers if you are involved in an accident with a boater who does not have liability insurance, or whose insurance limits are insufficient to cover the damages they cause. Unlike automobile insurance, which is legally required in most places, boat insurance is not universally mandated across the United States. Essentially, it steps in to cover what the at-fault party’s non-existent or insufficient liability insurance would typically pay, shielding the policyholder from financial burden. It is an optional component typically added to a more comprehensive boat insurance policy, extending protection to you and anyone else on your vessel at the time of an incident.

What Uninsured Boater Coverage Includes

Uninsured boater coverage primarily addresses bodily injury sustained by the policyholder and their passengers. This can encompass medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and rehabilitation costs resulting from the accident. It may also provide compensation for lost wages if injuries prevent you or your passengers from working. Some policies may extend to cover pain and suffering, as well as legal fees incurred in pursuing a claim. While the core focus is often on bodily injury, some uninsured boater policies may also provide limited coverage for property damage to your boat or personal items on board. Damage to your vessel typically falls under the property damage or collision section of your overall boat insurance policy, requiring a separate review of those specific coverages.

Filing a Claim for Uninsured Boater Coverage

After a boating accident, ensure the safety of all individuals involved and attend to any injuries. Following this, it is advisable to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the Coast Guard or local law enforcement, depending on the incident’s severity and location. Documenting the scene thoroughly, including taking photographs or videos of boat positions, damages, and visible injuries. Gathering contact information for any witnesses present can also support your claim.

The next step involves promptly notifying your insurance provider about the accident. Insurers typically require you to report the incident within a reasonable timeframe. You will generally need to provide details of the accident, any evidence collected, and medical reports or bills related to injuries. Cooperating fully with the insurance company’s investigation, which may include an assessment of damages and injuries, helps facilitate the claims process.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Coverage

When selecting uninsured boater coverage, assessing appropriate coverage limits is a primary consideration. These limits, the maximum amount your insurer will pay, can be structured as split limits, covering specific amounts per person and per incident, or as a combined single limit for all bodily injury and property damage expenses. Many policies offer liability limits ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 for uninsured boaters. The chosen limits should reflect potential medical costs and other damages that could arise from a severe accident.

Understanding the deductible is also important, as this is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins. Deductibles for boat policies can be flat amounts, often ranging from $250 to $500, or a percentage of your boat’s insured value, such as 1%. A higher deductible can result in a lower premium, but it also means a greater initial cost following a claim. It is also advisable to review how uninsured boater coverage integrates with other components of your boat insurance policy to ensure comprehensive protection.