Category: Boat/Watercraft Insurance

At Oak Ridge Insurance Services in Oak Ridge, NC, we help our customers keep their water vehicles and boats covered all year round. As the summer sun and waves hit, you’re probably thinking about heading out onto the water. Before you do that, you should ensure that your insurance coverage protects not only standard boats but also recreational vehicles. Since every insurance policy varies, you’ll want to check with one of our qualified insurance professionals before you assume that the information below applies to your policy because it is generalized.

What Is Boat Insurance?

Boat insurance refers to insurance that covers boats. This can mean that a boat insurance policy could cover yachts, row boats, and other watercraft you think about when you think of boats. Although it covers most standard boats, boat insurance may not always cover special vehicles.

Is Boat Insurance the Same Thing as Watercraft Insurance?

Boat insurance and watercraft insurance are the same thing. The only difference between the two types of coverage is the name. If you have watercraft insurance, you have boat insurance, and vice versa.

Does Boat/Watercraft Insurance Cover Recreational Water Vehicles?

Boat and watercraft insurance may cover some recreational vehicles if one of our insurance agents indicates they are covered on your policy. More often than not, you’ll need a specialized policy to cover recreational vehicles like jet skis. We can review your options for specialized coverage if you call our office or stop by to discuss what is available to you. Although it’s unnecessary, it’s better to be covered on the water than risk liability and more.

Contact Oak Ridge Insurance Services

For more boat insurance coverage information, call our office at Oak Ridge Insurance Services in Oak Ridge, NC, today!

As the winter months creep up and the water gets too cold to take the boat out, you are probably preparing the boat to go into storage. Before you lock it away for the next few months, some maintenance practices will protect it over the winter in Oak Ridge, NC. 

1. Flush Your Coolant System

You do not want the coolant to stay in the system over the winter. If it sits, it could freeze and cause damage to the system when you try to operate the boat. Because it is spending time sitting stagnant, it can also create corrosion that needs to be replaced in the Spring. 

2. Give It An Oil Change

After you flush your coolant system in your boat, make sure you give it an oil change so that the oil in the boat is fresh and does not have unwanted debris sitting all winter. A clean oil filter will also reduce the amount of corrosion and protect the boat against build-up when the weather is the coldest. 

3. Add In The Fuel Stabilizer

The last thing you need to do before you put the cover over the boat and lock it away is to add a bottle of fuel stabilizer to the tank. This will protect the fuel inside the gas tank and keep it from engine damage from developing when you crank it up the first time. All these maintenance practices together will keep the engine and mechanical parts of the boat protected, saving you a lot of money and extending the engine’s longevity.

If you are looking for boat insurance in the area, contact our agents today at Oak Ridge Insurance Services for a quote that fits your needs. 

If you own any type of watercraft, you should have boat insurance. Oak Ridge Insurance Services is an insurance company that provides boat insurance. If you own a boat and live in the Oak Ridge, NC area, you can speak with us about the boat insurance coverage options we provide.

Here are four important factors to consider when purchasing boat insurance:

The Waters Through Which You Will Travel

One of the most important things boat owners should know about insurance is that it is typically limited to specific navigation territories. When you buy boat insurance, you should tell the insurance company where you intend to use your watercraft so that your boat is covered whenever you use it.

The Value Of The Boat That’s Being Insured

When it comes to collision coverage for your boat insurance policy, you should purchase enough coverage to cover the full value of your watercraft in case you need to file a claim. 

The Seasons During Which The Boat Is Used

Many boat owners use their vessels only during certain months of the year. If you keep your boat in storage for the majority of the year, you should talk to your boat insurance provider about it. You may be able to pause coverage or pay lower premiums during the months when your boat is in storage.

The Types of Coverage to Include

Boat insurance coverage options include collision, liability, fuel spill, and wreckage removal. You must decide what types of coverage you want in your policy.

Contact Us Today

Allow us to assist you in meeting your boat insurance needs in Oak Ridge, NC. If you contact Oak Ridge Insurance Services, we can provide you with a quote for boat insurance.

If you’re a boat owner in Oak Ridge, NC it’s important to have boat insurance. But what kind of policy should you get? There are several different types of boat insurance, each offering different protection. Consult with Oak Ridge Insurance Services for expert insurance advice.

Here are the different types of boat insurance that you can choose from:

1. Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is the most common type of boat insurance. It protects you from financial damages if you’re held responsible for an accident.

For example, let’s say you’re out on your boat and accidentally collide with another vessel. If the other boat sustains damage or someone is injured, liability insurance will help pay for the repairs or medical bills. Liability insurance also covers you if you damage someone else’s property with your boat.

2. Collision and Comprehensive Insurance

Collision and comprehensive insurance is similar to the coverage you have on your car. It covers damage to your boat caused by things like accidents, storms, fire, theft, or vandalism.

Comprehensive insurance also covers you if your boat is damaged while in storage. This type of coverage is not required by law, but it’s a good idea if you want to protect your investment.

3. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage protects you when you get into an accident with a driver who lacks sufficient insurance to cover the damages. For example, let’s say you’re in a boat accident that wasn’t your fault, but the other driver only has liability insurance. If the damage to your boat exceeds the other driver’s policy limit, you could be stuck with a huge bill. However, if you have this coverage from Oak Ridge Insurance Services, your insurance will help pay for the damages.

Give Us A Call

There are several different types of boat insurance, each offering different protection. Be sure to talk to your Oak Ridge Insurance Services agent in Oak Ridge, NC about which type of policy is right for you.

Buying that boat was a lifelong dream come true! Before you set sail, you will need to bring along more than sunscreen for a day on the water. There is much more to boating than climbing aboard.

The knowledgeable and helpful agents at Oak Ridge Insurance Services want to share some important must-know tips about boat insurance. Here are 4 boat insurance must-know tips before a day on the water.

1. Get boat insurance before you hit the water. You will need to know the size, type value of the boat for your agent to determine what type of insurance and how much you will need. Some small boats may be covered under a homeowner’s policy. While large yachts or speed boats will need a separate policy.
2. What does boat insurance cover for an Oak Ridge, NC boat owner? Boat insurance policies will pay the cost to replace a vessel less depreciation. A partial or total loss will be calculated differently. Policies typically cover theft, bodily injury, liability, medical, towing, trailer and accessories, and loss or theft of belongings.
3. Safety First – Always follow best practices for boat safety. Watch your speed, watch the weather, and never drive while drinking too much alcohol.
4. You May Qualify For A Discount – Always ask if there are discounts that you qualify for. For instance, if you have ship-to-shore radios or Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers, you may qualify. If you are operating a diesel-powered boat, it is not as dangerous as a gasoline-powered one. If you have taken boating education classes or have years of experience you may have earned a discount as well.

Make sure you’re covered before you hit the water. Contact Oak Ridge Insurance Services serving Oak Ridge, NC before you set sail.

A boat safety plan in Oak Ridge, NC is only good if people know how to use it. If you have a watercraft, Oak Ridge Insurance Services has a few tips so that you can feel a little safer every time you take it off the shore. 

Think About Who Will Need It 

You have to consider who needs to know about your boat safety plan before deciding how to enforce it. If you bring friends out, they’re going to have very different needs than your 6-year old child. When it comes to your family, the best way to enforce an emergency drill is to have them go over it as many times as possible. People should know where life preservers are, how to call for help, and what to do in the case of an injury. 

Map It Out 

You can’t possibly account for every scenario, but you can think of the most common. For example, if another vessel hits you, what would be the most likely steps you’d need to take? How can you make it back to safety if you’re hit with an unexpected rainstorm? The more questions you answer beforehand, the easier it should be to handle unexpected twists and turns in Oak Ridge, NC.

Think About Your Boat Insurance Carrier 

Some people are good in a crisis, and they expect that know-how to carry them through. But the water can be a much more dangerous place than people give it credit for. If you’re looking for the right partner who can help you prepare before the worst occurs, call Oak Ridge Insurance Services today. We can make it easier to develop the right plan and get better coverage at the same time.