Boat Insurance Agent Bremerton, WA

5 Most Common Boating Claims & Insurance to Cover Them

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Ah, boating. Whether you enjoy taking your boat out for a ride, waterskiing or fishing, boats bring joy and relaxation. Like any vehicle, there comes risks with operating a boat and understanding your insurance coverage is crucial. While having a conversation with your local insurance agent can clarify any of your questions, we’ll share the five most common boating claims and the insurance that can cover it.

But first, you may want to know what some boat insurance coverages are. Coverages may include collision, property damage, liability, towing and assistance and comprehensive coverage. If you have a small watercraft, talk to your agent to see if your home insurance provides any coverage and if that makes sense for your situation.  

Boat insurance cost varies for each individual such as your boat’s value, size, year, how you plan to use it and how much insurance coverage you want.

5 Common Boating Claims

Injury – Need Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

Injuries on the water are common.  If you caused somebody to get hurt in another boat or one of your passengers were injured, there are insurance coverage options. Bodily injury liability can cover medical bills, lost income, pain & suffering and legal expenses. Be sure you know how much you are covered for. Also, if you plan to use your boat for waterskiing or wakeboarding, talk to your agent about the specifics of your coverage for passengers if they were to get hurt while skiing.

How to lower your risk for a boating insurance injury:

  • Take a boating safety class.
  • Always have a life jacket for everyone on the boat. Be sure they fit the proper requirements.
  • Be a defensive driver. Always be aware of your surroundings when driving your boat.
  • Never drink and drive.

Hitting an underwater object – Need Collision Insurance Coverage

This potentially could cause major damage to your boat. Many boat claims come from hitting a rock or other submerged object you can’t see in the water.

How to lower your risk:

  • If your boat has a depth sounder, always pay attention to it while driving.
  • Follow the proper path for marked channels & be aware of water hazard markers.

Theft or Vandalized– Need Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive coverage will cover if your boat is stolen. It may or may not cover the items inside your boat. Talk to your agent about the details of your insurance policy.

Weather Damage – Check with Your Local Agent

Depending on where you plan to boat, there are always chances of a wind storm, lightning or hurricane. Speak with your agent to know if your boat is covered from any storm damage, as well as flood damage.

Accident with another boat or object– Need Collision Coverage

This may be covered with your standard boat insurance policy. Talk with your local insurance agent to go over specific scenarios where coverage may vary.

Many additional boat insurance options exist. We have policies that will cover your personal items while on the water such as fishing equipment and wakeboards. Want to be sure you get the right boat insurance policy? Call our licensed agents at H&K Insurance in Bremerton, WA. We’ll find ways to save you money & help explain your insurance coverage so you know exactly what you are covered for.

Auto Insurance Options Bremerton, WA

Should I Have Collision & Comprehensive Insurance on My Auto Policy?

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Whether you are searching for car insurance, shopping for a lower car insurance rate or just need a new plan, you’ve come to the right insurance agency. 

Our agents will shop to find the best insurance rate & coverage for your specific needs. Plus, we can search for many discounts, particularly if you are bundling multiple policies like an auto & home or renters insurance together.

When it comes to shopping for car insurance, there are many options for coverage. You could get the bare minimum for car insurance or you could have full coverage for your policy. Each state varies with what is required for minimum car insurance coverage but the minimum will include bodily injury liability & property damage coverage, it is up to you to decide how much of it.

What about collision & comprehensive coverage for your auto insurance policy?

Collision insurance coverage will cover your vehicle if it is damaged when it collides with something. Examples: colliding into another vehicle, a tree or a guard rail. Your insurance coverage will pay for repairs or even replacement of your vehicle in the event of a total loss.

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers most other damages besides collision that could happen to your vehicle. Example: your car catches on fire, something falls on your car like a tree, collisions with an animal, your car gets vandalized or you experience car theft. There are a few exclusions, so be sure to discuss with your agent what those might be.

When it comes to deciding if this coverage is worth it, a few things to ask yourself:

  1. If I didn’t have this coverage, do I have the finances to pay out of pocket for the repairs or replacement of my vehicle?
  2. Do I have a loan? If so, comprehensive and collision coverage will be required by your finance company.
  3. How valuable is my car? Would it be possible to replace your car if you didn’t have the insurance to pay for it?
  4. Do I live in an area where car theft is common?

It is important to understand that all coverage and policy questions are specific to the policy that you purchase.  This article has been provided to help you understand how insurance works and does not imply every policy is the same or that coverage will exist. If you have more questions about your auto insurance policy talk to one of the licensed agents at H&K Insurance. We understand that insurance can be confusing, so we always want to make sure you fully understand what you are or are not covered for.

How to lower your risk for identity theft in Bremerton, WA

Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft – Tips When Shopping Online

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How to lower your risk for identity theft in Bremerton, WA

Check if the website it secure.

A simple way to check is to look for the lock symbol in the left corner of the search browser. Any website where you are putting in your credit card information or personal information should have this.

If shopping online, are you using websites you are familiar with?

While Googling something like “Best DSLR camera” is fine, when it comes to making a purchase, it should be from a reputable company. Watch out for paid advertisements from unknown sellers.  If you’re unfamiliar with the company, you could even Google the company to see what comes up. You may learn they have poor reviews. This could save you a headache. It could also be the opposite where it’s a new company & have helped hundreds of people. Regardless, buy from a reputable company or do your research first. Shopping local is always a good bet.

Never click on links in your email from an unknown person.

Many times your email will sift through the “junk mail” and place it directly in your junk folder. Other times, scammers will try to be tricky by sending email from familiar names of either a person you know or a known institution. Always look at the email address from the sender. Most likely it’s a fake email address. If a link is included in the email, never click on it.

Other tips:

Check your bank statements every month.

Your bank can do a great job monitoring and may even catch fraudulent charges before they happen. However, it’s important to check your bank statements every month to ensure every charge is correct.

Reach out to your insurance agent.

While your banking institutions and credit card issuers do offer some protection against fraudulent charges to your accounts, did you know that your homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance plan may offer additional protection if your identity is stolen? In addition to your own diligence, your homeowners, condo or renters insurance policies can offer some extra protection. For a small yearly fee (typically less than $40 per year) your insurance policy may cover expenses related to court fees, loan reapplication fees (if denied due to identity theft), notary fees and more. Some insurance plans may also include access to an identity theft counselor, someone to assist with reporting fraudulent activity and to act as a liaison to the major credit report bureaus on your behalf. Identity theft plans will vary by carrier and state, so be sure to ask your agent about plans available.

If you have questions about your home, condo or renters insurance, contact H&K Insurance Agency. Our agents can review your current coverage or provide a quote on a new insurance policy. Contact us today!