Boat insurance in Texas is absolutely necessary no matter where the boat is. Your boat may not sit on the water all year, but your must carry insurance for the boat in case of an emergency. Read ahead to learn what boat insurance in Texas will do for you if you are a fisherman, recreational boat user or the owner of small watercraft. Each vehicle must have its own insurance policy, and you are responsible for keeping the insurance current.

It is the Law

You are bound by law in the state of Texas to have insurance for every watercraft you own. Your boat or jet ski must have an insurance policy that will provide for you in the event of a crash or loss. Boat insurance in Texas comes from the same agents who write your auto and home policies, but the policies must be specific to each craft. Coverage for your craft cannot exceed the craft’s value, and you must ask your insurance agent to advise you on the type of policy that is needed for each vehicle.

Your Watercraft are Valuable

You have likely taken out loans to pay for a boat or jet ski, but you cannot use your own money to pay for replacements. The loan value is so high that you must have coverage for the craft in the event of a loss. Boat insurance in Texas will pay for your watercraft no matter what happens to them, and you will lose a large amount of money after an accident or crash.

What Coverage should you Get?

Boat insurance in Texas comes as a collision or comprehensive policy for each vehicle. You must weigh the value of the boat against the cost of a policy to protect the boat. An old boat that has little value should be covered by a collision policy that costs very little to carry. A collision policy will pay for damage to the boat, but the policy covers little else regarding the boat.

A comprehensive policy will cover loss of personal property, personal injury and replacement of the craft. Boat insurance in Texas that covers all aspects of the boat is a wise purchase for anyone on a small craft. You could be injured on a jet ski or fishing boat, and you keep personal belongings on the boat that could be lost if the boat sinks at any time.

Coverage on the Road

Your boat must be transported from your home to the water on a trailer, and the boat could be involved in an accident on its way to the water. You must keep your coverage current at all times to repair the boat after an accident. Boats that are rarely used must have coverage in the event of an accident, and you will be cited by the police for not having current insurance coverage.

Coverage at Home

Boat insurance in Texas covers your boat when it is out of the water on your property. Your boat may sit outside your home for several months during the year, and you must keep your boat insurance in Texas active. Storms could wipe out your boat in a single night, and the damage to the boat will not be covered if you have allowed your coverage to lapse. The boat could be fling by a tornado into another home, and the insurance policy will help pay for the damage. A neighbor who has part of their home destroyed by your boat could sue you for damages if you are not covered.

Local Agent Service for Boat Insurance in Texas

You must purchase boat insurance in Texas from a local agent who will write your policy specific to your watercraft. Each boat you own must have its own policy, and you must value each watercraft for the policy. You cannot get boat insurance in Texas for a value higher than that of the boat, and your values must be accurate in case of a total loss.

Boat Insurance in Texas Special Perks

The boat insurance in Texas you purchase may come with special perks that will help you take care of your boat. There are boat repair service centers you may take your boat to after an accident, and there are special salvage services that will raise a sunken boat. Boat insurance in Texas makes life much easier for you when have coverage. Your boat can be replaced at any time, and you will have peace of mind knowing you can claim everything that was on the boat.

Boat insurance in Texas is necessary for every craft you own, and you must take out a policy the moment you purchase your boat. Every boat you own must have insurance when it is on the road or on the water, and you may ask an insurance agent to write up a new policy for every new craft. A boat, jet ski or pontoon may be insured using boat insurance in Texas, and you may save money on the policies when you choose the proper policy. Each policy description below offers you an opportunity to protect your boat for a small amount of money.

Different Policies

You must choose boat insurance in Texas between comprehensive and collision policies. A comprehensive policy offers more coverage than a collision policy, but will save money on a collision policy. Read the descriptions before making your decision, and ensure that you have enough coverage for your boat.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage with boat insurance in Texas costs little money every month, and you may have repairs done to your boat with the policy. Collision policies help you repair the boat, but you may not be able to replace the boat with such a small amount of coverage. Boat insurance in Texas need not be expensive when your boat is not highly valuable. Choose a collision policy when you are on a budget, and ensure that you choose the cheapest policy your agent can find.

Comprehensive Coverage

Boat insurance in Texas may come with perks from the insurance company paid for by your premiums. The premiums for a comprehensive policy are much higher than a collision policy, but you receive more coverage for your dollar. The boat insurance in Texas you purchase must be more comprehensive when you own a large or expensive boat.

Your boat’s value is used to help you purchase your policy, and the comprehensive policy provides more for you after the purchase. The policy you take out will help you with a rental when your boat is in for repairs, or you may have coverage that replaces more than the boat after a loss.

Comprehensive policies will help you replace all your personal belongings on the boat, and your medical bills may be covered after an accident in the boat. Comprehensive coverage for your boat helps you prevent a financial disaster when you are injured on a jet ski, and small watercraft are in need of coverage that will help you prevent such accidents.

Are The Perks Worth It?

Boat insurance in Texas allows you options that are necessary when you are on the water, but you must find insurance that protects you when the boat is on dry land. Driving your boat on a trailer when you are on the way to the water is just as dangerous as having your boat on the water. A car accident could damage your boat, or the boat could be damaged while sitting on your property.

A comprehensive policy will protect your boat if it is damaged in a storm near your house, and you will have more protection for the boat once it is on the water. The perks of a comprehensive policy are worth the money when you have an expensive boat, and you must weigh the coverage you receive with boat insurance in Texas the value of your boat. Your boat is a major investment that must be protected with boat insurance in Texas that will replace your boat when it becomes a loss.

Premium Savings

Boat insurance in Texas will fall in price when you have multiple boats insured under the same policy. Your boat insurance in Texas can cover your pontoon, sailboat, fishing boat and jet ski. You can keep your family entertained on the water all year long, and the policies for each new craft will remain much cheaper than they would be otherwise. Combining your premiums and policies will create savings that you need when you own multiple watercraft.

Every boat you own must be covered with boat insurance in Texas, and you can find a policy that will help you protect your watercraft. You keep your personal belongings on each craft, and you may take out boat insurance in Texas that will help replace everything in the event of a major loss. Your choices for boat insurance in Texas expand when you consider all the options listed in this article, and you will save money year-round on a policy that protects you completely.

There are over 500,000 registered boats in the state of Texas, and its warm southern climate allow its residents to use those boats for the greater part of the year. Texan rivers, lakes, lagoons, and Gulf-Coast waters are frequently filled with an abundance of recreational boating vessels, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Boating Accidents

On the one hand, the fishing, cruising, and sailing opportunities in Texas are one of the great draws the state offers vacationers and newly arrived residents. On the other hand, this large-scale boating activity leads to increased boating accidents. For example, in 2013, there were 206 boat accidents reported in Texas and 85 resulting injuries. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas had 31 boating fatalities that year, which ranked as the third-highest in the nation.

Boating Safety Measures

About half of all Texan boating accidents, in 2013, were alcohol-related, and 85 percent of drowning victims neglected to wear a life jacket. This underscores the importance of boat safety. To help prevent accidents, all of the following practices should be followed:

• Never travel too fast for the water and weather conditions.
• Never be guilty of a BWI (boating while intoxicated).
• Know and follow all Texan boating regulations.
• Always carefully inspect your boat and engine before embarking.
• Never overload the boat, and spread out loads evenly.
• Make your vessel noticeable, and keep alert to the presence of other vessels.
• Never stand up and shift your weight around in a small boat.
• Make sure all passengers are wearing life jackets at all times.

The Importance of Boat Insurance in Texas

In spite of all of the safety precautions that you take, accidents are still liable to happen. For this reason, getting boat insurance for your Texas vessel is a wise move regardless of your level or navigation training and close adherence to all safety standards. Not only can you secure coverage against injuries, but you can also protect against property damage. Thus, buying boat insurance for Texas boats can benefit you on multiple fronts should an accident occur.

Boat Insurance for Texas Small and Slow Vessels

If you only own a very small boat or a canoe, it is possible to get cheap boat insurance in Texas under a homeowner’s or renter’s policy. The boat generally must be capable of going no faster than 25 mph and must be stored at your place of residence. This coverage usually includes things like the boat itself, the attached motor, and any trailer used to transport it. Liability boat insurance for Texas policies of this kind is not typically included.

Boat Insurance for Texas Large and Fast Vessels

You normally cannot combine your boat insurance for Texas larger and faster vessels with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, but instead, a completely separate contract will have to be drawn up. Speed boats, ski boats, boats with large, powerful engines, yachts, jet-skis, and most other watercraft can be protected with affordable boat insurance in Texas. The type, size, and total value of the boat will be the main factors in determining your premium.

Policy Terms for Boat Insurance in Texas

Most boat insurance in Texas will cover all physical loss or damage to the insured craft and its accompanying machinery for either the full cash value or for a lesser, previously agreed-upon amount. If your policy operates on a total cash value basis, you will get the replacement cost minus depreciation. If you buy boat insurance that operates on an agreed-upon-amount basis, you will not have to worry about depreciation. A specified amount will simply be paid to you if a total loss occurs, and all partially damaged items will be replaced.

Additional Coverage

Boat insurance for Texas boats can also cover any of the following items, but you may have to buy a special policy or make a special request:

• Bodily injuries to the boat owner or to passengers
• Damage caused to other people’s property
• Theft coverage, which will replace the boat if it is stolen
• Specialized, on-board equipment like fish-finders, trawling motors, and expensive fishing gear
• Trailers and a host of other boat-related accessories

Special Discounts

You should also ask about special discounts when weighing your options for boat insurance in Texas. Many times, two claim-free years, multiple policies with the same insurer, and successful completion of boat-safety education courses will save you on your premium.

Conclusion

Buying boat insurance in Texas is a wise move because, with so many boaters out on the water at once, the chances of a mishap are increased. Following proper safety guidelines will minimize the risk, but boat insurance will cover you should accidents find you anyway. The fact that there is a much competition for prices and a wide range of coverage options for boat insurance in Texas adds yet another good reason to search for a policy that meets your needs.