Marine insurance reimburses financial losses due to damage to a ship and any accompanying properties, including the cargo, from port of departure to port of destination. Available specialty marine insurance policies include those for marine cargo insurance, marine business insurance, and personal watercraft insurance.
One type of marine insurance is individual watercraft insurance which is aimed to target insurance of non-commercial usage watercraft. Individual watercraft insurance is similar to that of automobiles. Similar to automobile insurance, individual watercraft insurance policies might not only cover property losses but also offer individual protection and watercraft liability coverage.
The liability coverage may cover bodily injury to watercraft occupants, along with others who are involved in any accident. Further medical coverage is generally available in a separate policy rider. Uninsured boater coverage is available as well to cover any damage incurred from hit-and-run vessels, or from vessels which lack insurance coverage.
There is also the option of towing and salvage insurance. It can help with smaller incidents such as an engine failure, mechanical breakdowns, or even having fuel delivered to a stranded ship. Towing and salvage insurance can also help to offset the high costs associated with a vessel that has sustained much damage.
Agreed Value or Actual Cash Value forms are what’s generally offered for hull coverage on a standard vessel. Because for insurance, it depends on the cash value policies to determine whether when the vessel ages if it will depreciate in value. Some insurance companies continue to pay the full amount without the depending on the depreciation value.
Similarly, marine insurance can cover any and all risks, or just risks and perils specified in the policy. No matter the policy type, it is very important to fully understand all of the stipulations which may render the policy null and void. For example, many policies specify navigational limits which render the policy void if exceeded. Depending on the area, accidentally exceeding navigational limits can be very easy on the water where boundaries are not well marked.
Personal watercraft insurance is available for virtually all watercraft, from small pleasure boats and fishing boats, to large yachts and houseboats. Specialty coverage can include coverage for watercraft rentals, fishing excursions, and other charter boat trips. With a wide selection of insurance companies and options available, finding the right coverage for your craft and situation simply takes a little research.