Medical payments helps to cover medical bills for the treatment of injuries that are incurred by you or others while operating or occupying your boat.

Boat insurance coverage is variable and policies can protect you from different types of losses. There are certain types of coverage to consider when you are looking for watercraft insurance for your boat.

All Risk

An all risk policy is fairly comprehensive, covering for any loss unless it is listed as a specific exclusion on the policy. Exclusions are usually things such as normal wear and tear, damage caused by animals or a design defect or dents.

Liability

It is very wise to ensure you have liability coverage, which most recreational marine insurance companies call protection and indemnity. If you are boating and cause damage to another vessel, this will provide protection for you by covering potential legal fees, wreck removal or salvaging costs and even environmental charges if your boat damage pollutes the water.

Recreational boaters will also want to confirm their insurance for boat liability will protect them in the event a guest on the boat is injured or killed. Other concerns include physical damage to your craft and items permanently attached to the vessel such as anchors.

Theft and More

Policies may or may not extend coverage against other potential problems. Do not hesitate to ask about the fine print and exclusions as well as other options for coverage to ensure coverage protects against theft or break-ins, vandals and natural disasters such as fire or floodwaters. It is better to find out before you need to make a claim whether the insurance policy guards against capsizing, storms and other potential hazards.

In the Event of a Total Loss

Boat owners have the choice of insuring for Agreed Value (sometimes called Stated Value), which is basically replacement cost insurance. If your boat was damaged so extensively it was a total loss, this option would let you replace your boat with another of the same kind and quality. If you opt for Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage the boat was a write-off you would only receive the amount for which the vessel is valued at the time. This would mean far less than replacement cost because of depreciation.

Additional Coverage Options

Most marine policies will include coverage for other costs that may arise from a loss. You need to really examine the fine print because the amount covered and deductibles vary. It is not unusual for boating insurance to cover things such as medical costs for occupants of the boat, personal effects, accidental death benefit uninsured boater liability. There are also plans designed to protect owners of specialized craft such as yachts or water ski boats.

Uninsured or underinsured boater coverage is insurance that helps cover damage to your PWC, Jet Ski, motor, trolling motor, trailer, permanent and portable equipment in the event of a covered accident.

Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of fuel, oil and waste, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and restoring degraded areas.

*  Pack out what you pack in.
*  Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.
*  When fueling your boat take every precaution not to spill fuel into the water.
*  Be prepared. Carry a spill kit which includes absorbent pads, socks and booms.
*  Use a fuel collar or bib when fueling to catch drips and overflow and prevent backsplash.
*  Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.
*  Before and after a trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Remove all plant material from watercraft, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry land in a garbage container. Drain livewells, bilge water and transom wells at the boat launch prior to leaving

Personal watercraft are a type of recreational boat that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Manufacturers estimate that about 200,000 Personal Watercraft are sold each year and that more than 1 million are in current operation. Personal watercraft now account for more than one-third of the new recreational boat sales in the United States.

Although the overall number of recreational boating fatalities has been declining in recent years, the number of personal watercraft-related fatalities has been increasing. At the time of the National Transportation Safety Board’s 1993 recreational boating safety study, there were only 26 personal watercraft fatalities a year, and the Safety Board did not believe that separate consideration of PWC was warranted.

However, in 1994, the number of PWC fatalities began to increase noticeably because the number of PWC in operation increased. Preliminary numbers for 1997 indicate 83 Personal Watercraft fatalities. Personal watercraft are the only type of recreational vessel for which the leading cause of fatalities is not drowning; in personal watercraft fatalities, more persons die from blunt force trauma than from drowning. The increase in fatalities and the distinctive way in which fatalities occur prompted the Safety Board to examine the nature of personal watercraft accidents.

If you dream of buying a boat odds are you can find one that you can afford. The most important thing is to figure out a reasonable budget. Look at your current personal budget and determine what you can afford to spend on a recreational boat and then determine what items in addition to the boat you would need to purchase in order to enjoy your new toy.

When you buy a boat for pleasure, you need to budget for more than just the boat. You’ll have additional expenses including registration and plates, buying insurance for your boat, maintenance, storage, fuel, equipment like life jackets and possibly a trailer and toys including tubes, rafts, skis, etc.

The next thing you need to do is figure out which kind of boat not only falls within your budget but also suits your lifestyle. The possibilities are endless, from an aluminum all-purpose fishing boat to dinghies, sail boats, ski boats, deck boats, pontoons, cabin cruisers to high performance boats…to name only a few.

Here are some things to think about when you are looking at boats that fall within your price range:

• Is it big enough to hold the number of passengers you hope to take on the water regularly?
• How is it powered? Have you budgeted for fuel expenses?
• How will it be transported? Will you need to purchase a trailer? If you will be hauling the boat do you have a vehicle that can tow it safely?
• Where will you store the boat during boating season and the off-season?
• Who will perform routine maintenance on the boat? For example will you winterize the boat yourself or pay to have it done?
• What will insurance for boat cost and what boat insurance agency will you work with?
• Will the boat be able to safely navigate the waters you want to boat in? If the boat’s hull is too deep you run the risk of hitting objects in shallow waters. If the boat is too small for rough waters you run the risk of being constantly wet or worse yet flooding or capsizing.
• Will the boat allow you to do everything that you want? For example, travel to a certain destination you have in mind, accommodate watersports like tubing and water-skiing or have sleeping quarters that will provide enough room to stay for the weekend.

Many people looking to get into recreational boating on a budget think they can only consider used boats. However, pre-owned is not always the best option and there may be financing incentives available so it’s a good idea to consider all of your options.

Check for used listings online, but the same cautions for buying used cars go for used boats. The benefits of buying new from dealers include extended warranties and competitive financing with low monthly rates. Boat shows are great opportunities to really learn about different types of boats and explore your options by talking with more experienced boat enthusiasts.

Before you buy, get a boat insurance quote. Global Marine Insurance has an online boat insurance quote tool which at times can be easier than calling. Boat insurance is variable, influenced by factors such as the length of the boat, the type of vessel and the level of coverage you require. Sometimes insurance will be lower for a new boat than it is for a pre-owned boat. You may be able to reduce the cost of  your insurance for a boat by taking boater safety courses.

While some home owner policies offer coverage for pleasure boats, it is almost always better to have a separate marine insurance policy from an agency that specializes in boat insurance because the home owner policy typically covers only minimal risk and not salvage or environmental damage.

Collision insurance helps pay for damage to your personal watercraft,  motor, trolling motor, trailer, permanent and portable equipment in the event of a covered accident.

Avoid sensitive areas and operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

* Always launch at a designated boat ramp. Backing a vehicle on a riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and leads to erosion.
* Always travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid boating in water less than 2½ feet deep. High speeds near shorelines lead to large wakes which cause shoreline erosion.
* Sensitive areas to avoid include seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
* Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
* Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
* Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

An expensive new requirement has led to a dearth of contestants at the America’s Cup, and San Francisco leaders are raising doubts about the race’s benefits for the city amid lagging interest.

Victory in the America’s Cup of 2010 gave Larry Ellison, the tech titan who had spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to capture sailing’s ultimate prize, the right to set the rules for this year’s regatta.

Mr. Ellison, whose Silicon Valley software company, Oracle, has made him the world’s fifth-richest man, decided to bring the race home to the postcard-perfect, television-friendly San Francisco Bay, promising a sporting event that would showcase the city and transform its waterfront. But another decision — calling for the design of extremely expensive, sophisticated and fast 72-foot catamarans that would, for the first time in the history of the 162-year-old competition, fly above the water in high winds in a maneuver known as “foiling” — immediately raised worries about cost and safety.

It is important that you read each and every line in your policy to get the facts on excluded items. Typical examples of what is not covered are:

*   Any craft that has been modified to enhance speed and performance

*   Operation of a personal watercraft after dark – dusk to dawn

*   Operating a personal watercraft when you do not have a valid drivers license

Because insurance needs differ depending on the type of watercraft you own, read the details in your policy to see what is covered and what is specifically excluded.

Educate yourself prior to a trip by learning rules and regulations, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes and knowing how to operate your equipment safely.

*   Obtain charts of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of boat.

*   Make a realistic plan and stick to it.

*   Always tell someone of your travel plans and file a float plan.

*   Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures and permit requirements.

*   Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly.

*   Make sure you have enough fuel and oil for the entire trip.

*   Make sure your owner’s manual and registration are on board in waterproof containers.

*   Always carry a Coast Guard approved working fire extinguisher and warning flares.

*  Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items.

*  Carry a Global Positioning System (GPS)and know how to use it.

*  Know distress signals and warning symbols.

* Know your limitations. Apply sunscreen, drink lots of water and watch your energy level.

* Take a boater education course to learn more about navigating waterways and safe and enjoyable boating.

* Make sure your boat is mechanically up to the task. Be prepared with tools, supplies and a spill kit.

Estimate the exact value of your boat may be very inaccurate if the aid is not an expert. This is especially true if one has never bought or sold a vessel. This could lead to the inexperience of many errors in the process of trading ships, it is imperative that timely assistance from other resources in order to take the total amount that can be achieved.

Although the purchase of a ship, it is vital that you know exactly what the person wants, the prices at which sold and that current trends in shipping. Otherwise, one might end up buying a very old and outdated piece of trash that will never be used, and also close to fork out a large sum of money for it.

There are several ways in which the value of a boat you can find out with precision. Most importantly, of course, reading about it. Several magazines and newspapers are printed by various boating people who give information on the latest trends in navigation. Given the current picture of what to buy and what to sell, what is the price that may be of a certain type of vessel, whether a small houseboat, boat, sail boat or huge.

Even boats and race boats are widely discussed by the fans. From these magazines and ads, you can compare different brands and models and also more recent varieties of ships. All information is very updated and research and people who depend on them for business are greater than twenty million euros. Thousands of boats are bought and sold through these documents and it also can read and get the exact knowledge without having to hire an expensive marine surveyor or broker.

To prepare your teens or young adults for boating without parental supervision it makes sense to insist they pass boating safety courses before you let them head out in your boat. Hearing information and facts from boating professionals may make a greater impression on them than thinking their parents are over-reacting. Boating safety courses, like defensive driving courses, give young people the skills to know how to handle different situations well. Parents not only rest easier knowing their children are better prepared for boating, passing boater safety courses often means lower boat insurance rates for the boat as well.

It is also a good idea for parents to explain the reality of liability if young adults take friends out boating – not to mention the emotional guilt they would suffer if a friend was hurt or killed while out on the water. Youth need to understand the obligations that go with operating a boat and carrying passengers and demonstrate responsible behavior before they are given the privilege to take the family boat out for a spin.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has tried making videos with devastating messages to get the attention of young boaters. This video was intended to shock teens into exercising caution on the water:

Interestingly, studies show that teens do not respond as well to fear-based video campaigns. The New Zealand Coast Guard has studied boater response and concluded that dictating behavior is also ineffective. Further, they conclude that education and peer pressure are keys to getting boating safety messages to youth, especially males. Here is a commercial they produced that is much more light-hearted in tone: