No leisure boater should use their boat during periods of bad weather. Inclement weather could cause wind, precipitation, and rough swells. All of these could damage the vessel.
Boat insurance often covers boats in concise manners during storms. Boaters may even face damages that have no coverage under their boat insurance. Therefore, boaters must take care to protect themselves in the event of a storm.
1. Check Your Boat Insurance
When buying a boat insurance policy, make sure it will cover your vessel both during use and storage. A boat’s comprehensive insurance coverage may extend coverage to weather damage.
Nonetheless, boat insurance is often very strict. It may limit the weather scenarios it will cover. For example, boat insurance may or may not cover hurricane damage. Boaters should never attempt to sail during hurricanes or storms. They also often have to take special care to protect their boats during hurricanes. This often involves storing the boat in a special or secured area.
2. Get off the Water
If a boater is accidentally caught in a storm, boat insurance may cover the damage. Nonetheless, if a boater has advanced warning of severe weather, it is best to head for land as soon as possible. Before heading out for the day, keep an eye on the weather forecast. If the weather is bad, do not sail. Maintain radio contact with a weather station while you are on the water. Staying on the water during storms might constitute a negligent risk.
3. Secure the Vessel
After use, most boaters secure their vessels by taking down sails, storing navigational equipment and tying down loose items. They also might cover their boats and secure them using anchors, ties or dry docks. Securing the vessel can help better protect the boat from storm damage.
When severe weather threatens, many boats remain exposed to the harsh conditions. Securing the boat beforehand could reduce the risk of storm damage. It may prevent damage that do occur from exceeding the limits of the boat insurance policy.
4. Evacuate or Store the Boat
The most severe weather often mandates extra security for a boat. For example, since hurricane damages may not have coverage, owners often have to go to lengths to protect the vessel. Two of these options may include storage or evacuation. Both will involve taking the boat off the water.
Storage might place the vessels in a secure dry dock that can provide shelter and minimize damage. Evacuation can move the boat far from the storm zone, and protect it from any damage at all.
With the proper care, a boater can effectively protect the vessel from weather damage. However, no boater should go without insurance coverage for weather damage.
We’ve got you covered. Call CSP Insurance Services at 843-519-2557 for a Florence SC boat insurance quote.