The most effective way to keep the rates on your boat insurance low is to by making sure that your chances of making a claim is also low. The more you protect your boat, the happier you and everyone else involved will be.

Buying insurance for your boat is normal and everyone wants to make sure that any unforeseen accidents will be covered. However, once it happens and you make a claim, your rates will shoot-up and there are times when you have to change insurance companies. Changing insurers can be a hassle at times and it will take up much of the time you could’ve spent enjoying your boat.

To help you achieve your goals, here are three ways to ensure that your boat insurance rates stay low.

Perform Boat Maintenance to Avoid Towing

Maintaining your Boat is a must to keep it in good running condition. Just like your vehicle, a boat needs to be maintained with all the basics like fuel, oil, filters and other products. The batteries should always be kept in good charging condition. Regular maintenance will ensure that you maximize your time enjoying your boat.

On the other hand, a boat that is not maintained could end up getting towed. This could lead you to file a claim because boat towing services are worth quite a lot of money. Before making a claim, make sure that your policy covers towing as some insurance companies don’t.

Avoid Collisions with Objects or Boats

When you think about collisions, it’s easy to conclude that it can only be with other water vessels. However, most collisions can happen in the harbor where the boat’s hull meets the dock or another hull. Most insurance claims result from boats that are tied on the shore where another operator loses control and runs into other boats. There is not much you can do when you are not on your boat, but you can take some precautions to never run into an accident.

To avoid collisions, make sure to master the maneuvering of your vessel in the open water until you define its limitations. You need to know the ins and outs of operating and as well its response to strong currents and winds. Keep practicing in more difficult areas to ensure that you master your vessel.

Review Your Insurance Policy

It’s essential to review your boat’s insurance policy to know your limitations. Most rejected insurance claims result from being outside the policy’s coverage area. Insurance companies are known to have coverage breaks and you need to know everything about this to make sure you’re protected.

Also, if you agreed to take a discount through a lay-up period, you need to review your policy before you take it for a spin. Discounts on lay-up periods means you agree not to use your boats on certain periods of the year.

You should also check if you are insured for agree value or cash value. An agreed value is supposedly better as it is the amount that you agreed upon with your insurer in the event that your boat sinks and everything is destroyed.

At Wahoo Insurance, we take pride in making sure our clients are well protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you please contact our agency at (866) 275-9797 or Click Here to request a free quote.

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When most people think about boat insurance they consider the need for protection while your boat is in the water. Crashing into things or underwater objects. But did you know a large percentage of boat claims actually occur during the process of putting your boat in or out of the water? Here are our top tips that can help people avoid the common boat claims that involve launching your boat.

​Do mandatory check-ups before launching

It will be better for the boat owner to be present during the launching of the vessel. The boat yard should be given clear instructions for the pre-launch check. It is important to do this especially after a long time out of the water. Check the water-cooling systems, pipes, engines and skin fittings. They may suffer damage that is hard to detect.

Do all the necessary work before the boat goes to the water. You can do most of it on land.

Make sure to cover every inch of your boat during check-ups

Check the running backstays, fittings and wire halyards if there are rust and cracks. Ask for help whenever you lift the masts to prevent injury. Caulk the chain plates because the leaks may create problems. Wax and clean the decks to repair the abrasions and scratches. Use anti-fouling paint and check the hull.

Examine if the remote tanks and stoves have leaks. Discard rusted cans and propane canisters. Inspect the flares, bilge pump, and switches. Replace the fire extinguishers.

It will always be better if the boat yard or owner inspects the ship before the launch. He should make sure that it is watertight and it does not have leaks. We usually handle claims that involve sinking after a launch. Usually, it is because the hull fitting or speed log is not secure.

Ensure water will not find its way inside your boat upon launch

The main culprits for water ingress on re-launch are missing impeller logs and cracked or dried bellows. It also includes engine raw water inlet hoses and seacocks, and stern gland packing and seals.

Run the water through the engine and check the coolant levels to see if there is frost damage. Lubricate and inspect all the seacocks and water carrying pipes. Change the hose clamps and hoses. Replace zincs that underwent deterioration. Check electrical problems and lighting such as battery cables and chafed wires that may create fire.

Check the distortion and pitting of propellers. It can loosen the screws and create excessive vibration. Inspect the hull if there are stress cracks, distortion, and blisters. There should be professional attention on large blisters. A boat engineer should fix the cracks.

Ensure that the rudder stuffing boxes and engine shaft do not have leaks. Repack the gland if tightening the nut cannot stop it. You may burn out the packing material if you over-tighten the nut. Check if there are leaks, rot, or cracking on the fuel lines, vent, and fill hoses. You may support and replace them with clips.

Check if there are leaks in all filters, fuel tanks, and fuel pumps. Clean the fuel filters. Make sure to check and remove exhaust manifolds over time because rust may hinder the water flow. Tighten and clean electrical connections especially the battery cables. Clean and repair the scratches.

At Wahoo Insurance LLC we take pride in making sure our clients and their boats are well protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (866) 275-9797 or Click Here to request a free quote.

​Statistics in insurance claims reveal the 32% of boat insurance claims are related to collisions. It is the claim type that is most frequent and most costly. Most of the claims reported involved sailing craft, so powerboats and motorboats are less like involved in collisions. Motorboats have fewer claims on the whole. However, you should still know the specific risks and steps that you can take to reduce making claims. 

Here are the top five motorboat insurance claims last year:
 
1) Weather damage
 
Weather may pose a lot of dangers for boats left out in open water. Keeping your boat in the marina makes it sheltered and less vulnerable from the worst conditions. Be prudent in storing sails and don't leave them furled. Check your lines in case there is a weather warning.
 
When there are severe storms, there is potential for lightning strikes to short-circuit or disable onboard electricity. It may create fires in extreme cases so always consider fire safety and ensure the maintenance of your fire extinguishers. 
 
2) Striking underwater objects
 
It is certainly disheartening when the propeller catches an underwater hazard. Talk to other boat users and local fishers, review the paper charts and install a GPS unit when you sail through the unfamiliar waterways so you can avoid propeller and hull damage. If your boat has GPS makes sure that it installed the most recent updates. Monitor the current to check if there is a sharp change in the direction because it can indicate when something lies under the surface.
 
3) Thievery
 
Outboard Motor Theft 
 
Anyone can remove an outboard engine quickly making it an open target for thieves. It is important to make sure that outboard motors have security against theft. Anyone can easily access brass and bronze propellers, so they are attractive to thieves looking to sell the raw metal. Securely store them away from the boat when it’s out of the water.
 
b) Personal Effects Theft
 
It is recommended to remove all of your boat's personal effects and store them in a warm and safe environment. Do this to make the boats unattractive for thieves. Certain insurance policies we sell even require removing the personal effects from the craft during the lay-up periods.
 
4) Trailers and Cradles
 
People deal with lots of claims for boats when poorly maintained road trailers collapse or fall over. We recommend that you undertake thorough examination before using them especially anytime after they are left dormant for a long time.
 
At Wahoo Insurance LLC we take pride in making sure our clients are safe on their boats with the best insurance protection they need to be safe. To learn more about how we can help cover your boat and hopefully avoid unnecessary insurance claims please contact our agency at (866) 275-9797 or Click Here to request a free quote.

​If having fun on the water appeals to you, then you might find yourself in the market to buy a boat. You could purchase a boat for fishing, speed boating or sailing, or a pontoon to float around casually. Just as you insure your car and your home; it's a good idea to get adequate insurance coverage for your boat too.

Step 1: Minimum Coverage Requirements
The most economical insurance policy to insure your boat is liability-only insurance. It only pays for the damage to another person’s boat and injuries due to the accident which you are at fault. Young drivers who are under the age of 25 pay higher premiums as they are more prone to getting accidents compared to older drivers. If you can’t afford to pay for the repair or replacement of your boat, then you should not purchase liability-only boat insurance.
 
Step 2: Full Coverage
There are many factors that determine the coverage cost of your boat against damage. For yachts or big boats, expect to pay higher premiums compared to a small fishing boat. The age of your boat and the number of hours logged on the vessel gives impact to the rate too.  If you have high-powered boats which are capable of traveling at high speeds, then expect to pay higher premium.
 
Step 3: Tips
The rates that the insurer offers to boat owners depend on the areas they are located. They offer lower rates in mainland lakes and higher rates to those located in coastal bodies of water. Also, if you pass the safety education course, your insurer may give you a discount on the monthly premiums.
 
Step 4: Considerations
Getting your boat insured is not a requirement in Florida other than liability coverage. But you have to insure your boat if there is a lien against it. Let’s say for example, you have used your boat as a collateral to a personal loan, then your lender will require you to insure your boat until you fully paid your debts.
 
 
If you have questions regarding insuring your boat, please call Wahoo Insurance LLC to assist you with all your concerns. Our phone number is (866) 275-9797.  We strive to provide reliable, fast service to help you obtain the best coverage at the lowest price. You may get a free quote from us here.

​Every boat owner who values their boat knows how important it is to make sure you have the proper amount of insurance coverage, in the event that something were to happen to it. With a boat, just like with a car or home, accidents can happen. And it is important to make sure that such a valuable investment is covered in case of a mishap.

When it comes to deciding on a boat insurance company and policy, there are many factors that you should consider—and the cost of the policy is just one of these factors.

Here are few things to keep in mind and help guide your decision in selecting a boat insurance company as well as the policy that is right for you.

1.)  What kind of vessel are you insuring?

If you own a yacht or commercial, you should specifically seek out an insurance provider who specializes in yacht insurance or commercial boat insurance to create a policy that will suit your specific needs.

2.)  What will your boat be covered if you leave the country?

If you plan to take your boat outside of native waters, you want to make sure you select a policy that will have you covered. You should select an experienced boat insurance agent that will be able to get you the best possible premium and coverage options for your needs and travel plans.

3.)  Does your boat insurance policy cover you for the whole year?

Some boat insurance policy will allow you to “lay up” or suspend coverage for periods of non-use. This is important to know not only so you could potentially save yourself money if you plan not to use your vessel for several consecutive months of the year, but also because you could not realize that your policy is inactive and decided to take your boat out, only to discover it’s not being covered at that time.

These are just the few things to consider when selecting not only a boat insurance policy, but moreover, an insurance provider. We at Wahoo Insurance would be glad to explain and educate you on the different types of coverage available to you, so you not only get the best value, but most importantly, know what you are insured for should you ever need to use it.  Just hit us at (866) 275-9797 or visit our office. Get a free quote from us by clicking here.

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Welcome to our new insurance agency blog!
 
This is our very first post. We're not quite sure what we're going to write about here, but the plan is to create helpful content for customers and prospective clients about information that is relevant to you.
 
We hope you'll come to view this as a top resource for keeping your family and your finances safe.
 
Here are a few of the topics we may be writing about:

• Answers to clients' frequently asked questions.
• Helpful information about insurance shopping.
• Safety and Health Tips and Ideas.
• Local Community Information.

 
Stay Tuned!