Boat Insurance Gives You Peace of Mind to Have More Fun

Boat insurance midland odessa, tx

Boat Insurance

If you happen to be a proud owner of one of the 580,000 boats registered in Texas*, you’re probably getting her ship-shape for some summer fun, fishing and relaxation on your favorite lake.  Since Texas has more square miles of inland water than any other state, you’ve got plenty of choices.*

Small boats with only a small or no engine at all, may be adequately insured under your homeowner’s insurance. A sailboat would come in this category. But if you’re buying a $35,000 (or more) boat or yacht, your homeowner’s policy will not cover everything you need. You can bundle your boat insurance policy with your home and/or auto insurance and probably save a little; another good point to discuss with your insurance agent.

If your boat is insured under your homeowner policy, it is covered only for theft.  It is also subject to a limited amount and the home deductible. There is no liability coverage whether the boat is on or off the water.

Your boat liability insurance protects you if a person is injured while on your watercraft. You can choose between replacement costs or cash value in case you have a total loss. Boat insurance will cover bodily injury if someone is injured while on your boat, damage on docks and other boats caused by your boat, and any physical damage to your boat if it should collide with something or goes onto the ground.

Comprehensive coverage will protect your boat from vandalism, fire/flood, theft, personal property coverage for gear, uninsured boater and roadside assistance, which is handy if you breakdown and require being towed.

Contact your insurance agent about details of your boat insurance coverage. Ask which of these items pertains to your needs based on the kind of boat you have and how you use it. If you participate in fishing tournaments, ask your agent if you need any special coverage.

  • Damage Coverage
  • Disappearing Deductible
  • Consequential Damage Clause
  • Fishing Equipment
  • Protection & Indemnity (P&I)
  • Medical Payments
  • Tournament Fee Reimbursement
  • Towing and Emergency Assistance
  • Unlimited Trailering within the continental United States

Boat insurance as well as adhering to good safety protocol will protect you and your boating crew from accidents and will give you the peace of mind to relax, kick back and have more fun concentrating on that “whopper” you’ve been hoping to catch.

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Understanding Commercial Property Rates and Fire Risk

If you’re in business, you probably understand what insurance underwriting means. The process of underwriting determines how likely your business is to file a claim. Simply put, the greater the likelihood of a claim, the higher your premium will be. If an insurance company determines that your business is at a high risk for a loss, it might even decide not to issue you a policy.

Fire risk is usually the primary factor that determines a business’s commercial property rates. Insurance companies do inspections as part of the underwriting process.

Fire inspectors use a standard rating system and weigh five factors to determine a structure’s fire rating.

The five factors are:

  1. Construction materials.Buildings made of potentially combustible materials will have higher premiums, while those made of fire-resistant materials could earn a discount. Additions to an existing structure might affect a fire rating, so it’s a good idea to talk to your agent or insurance company before remodeling. Internal structural elements can also affect a fire rating. Using wood partitions, floors, and stairways in an otherwise fire-resistant building will likely nullify any rate reduction. Fire-resistant interior walls, floors, and doors can help maintain a good fire rating.
  2. Buildings in cities or towns with good fire protection — as assessed by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection — typically cost less to insure than buildings outside a city or in areas with limited fire protection.
  3. A building’s use also affects its fire rating. An office building will likely rate better than a restaurant or auto repair shop. In a building with multiple tenants, one hazardous occupant will negatively affect the fire rating of the entire building. If your business is in a building with a more hazardous tenant, your premiums will be higher.
  4. Fire protection measures.Automatic sprinklers can reduce a building’s fire rating by as much as 50 percent. Buildings with fire extinguishers and automatic alarms and those within 500 feet of a fire hydrant will usually have lower ratings.
  5. Nearby hazards increase a building’s fire risk. Proximity to external fire hazards, such as a lumberyard or oil storage tank, will affect a fire rating even more. Other things that could affect your fire risk include cluttered buildings and grounds, heavy mechanical or electrical equipment, or volatile materials stored on site.

Your business insurance is an extremely important part of successful operations, affecting every aspect of your business. Cover all your bases by getting answers from your insurance agent to ensure positive outcomes for you, your employees and your investors.

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