Spending time on the water can be relaxing, but accidents can happen even when you’re taking precautions. If someone is injured while riding on your boat, you may wonder whether your boating insurance will help cover their medical expenses. The answer depends on your policy and the circumstances surrounding the injury.
Does Boat Insurance Cover Injuries to Passengers?
Many boat insurance policies include medical payments coverage, which can help pay for reasonable medical expenses when you or your passengers are injured in a covered boating accident. Depending on the policy, this coverage may apply to injuries that occur on the boat, while boarding, or while getting off.
Medical payments coverage is generally designed to cover medical expenses regardless of fault, though coverage limits and exclusions vary by policy.
What About Injuries Caused by Negligence?
If someone is injured because you were negligent, for example, operating the boat recklessly or failing to maintain a safe vessel, boat liability coverage may come into play. Liability coverage can help protect you if you’re found legally responsible for another person’s injuries or property damage, subject to your policy’s terms and limits. The amount of liability coverage you carry matters, particularly if you frequently have friends or family aboard.
Check Your Policy Before You Hit the Water
Boat insurance policies can differ significantly in what they cover, who’s covered, and what exclusions apply. Review your medical payments and liability coverage before the boating season begins, and make sure your limits actually match how you use your boat.
If you’re ready to learn more about boat and watercraft insurance, we’re here to help. Reach out to ANA Insurance Brokerage Inc., serving South Gate, CA, to schedule an appointment and discuss boat and watercraft insurance policies with one of our agents.
