Boat insurance is, like auto insurance, fairly straightforward. The primary coverage types are similar for each type of policy — liability, collision, etc. However, you should keep a few additional factors in mind when buying boat or watercraft coverage. Below, Zimmerman Insurance Agency, the premier insurance service in High Point, NC, discusses some key considerations that apply only to boat insurance.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for Boat Insurance

Where Will You Be Boating?

Some insurers only cover you on inland waters, while others may offer coverage up to 75 miles off the U.S. coastline. Figure out where you intend to spend your time on the water and ask your insurance service about the coverage limitations of any policy before signing on the dotted line. This is especially important if you intend to enter international waters or sail into Mexican or other foreign territories.

Do You Need Fuel-Spill Liability or Wreckage Removal Coverage?

If your boat should sink or suffer serious hull damage, the law requires that you clean up the fuel spillage and clear away any wreckage. Depending on the size of your watercraft, this could cost a fortune. Fuel-spill liability and wreckage removal coverage protect you from this additional expense after an already heartbreaking loss.

What Personal Effects Will You Have With You?

Boat insurance offers a basic level of protection for personal property like clothing, cell phones, and sporting equipment. However, if you intend to carry a lot of expensive fishing poles and tackle, navigational equipment, fish finding or communications gear, or other expensive equipment, ask your insurance service whether you’d receive full value for any loss. You might need to raise your limits or purchase additional personal property coverage.

Keep the information above in mind when you're shopping for boat insurance to choose the right policy at the right price. Contact Zimmerman Insurance Agency, a respected insurance service in Guilford County, for expert advice and exceptional customer care. They've been serving the region since 1963 and specialize in boat, motorcycle, automobile, and homeowners insurance. Call (336) 883-6512 to discuss your options with an experienced insurance broker, or visit their website to request a free, no-obligation quote. You can also find their team on Facebook.