{"id":1604,"date":"2025-08-11T23:47:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T23:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/?p=1604"},"modified":"2025-08-09T23:48:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T23:48:02","slug":"top-boat-insurance-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Boat Insurance\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Purchasing a new or used watercraft promises fun days on the water. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/our-products\/boat-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">boat insurance<\/a> mistakes can turn a great day into a costly one. Many people may not think much about buying this type of policy until they need it. However, this type of coverage is an affordable, wise investment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you decide to purchase coverage, you want to be sure you avoid common boat insurance errors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Top Mistakes People Make When Buying Boat Insurance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you get coverage, there is a possibility that you will miss something or make a mistake. The following represent the most common errors that boaters make.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Not Understanding What\u2019s Covered (and What\u2019s Not)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may assume that your policy will cover any type of damage sustained in a boating incident. However, just as any car or home insurance policy has its limitations, so does this type of coverage. In most cases, you can expect the following to be covered:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Damage to your boat<\/strong>\u2013 Just like an auto policy, you will have coverage for damage that occurs to your craft due to an accident or collision with another vessel or object.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Salvage costs<\/strong> \u2013 In case your boat sinks or gets stranded, you can include a part in your policy to cover the recovery costs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personal belongings<\/strong> \u2013 Be aware that coverage for your personal items, such as clothing and fishing gear, may have limited coverage. However, if you keep high-value items on your watercraft, such as electronics, you may need additional coverage.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Medical payments<\/strong> \u2013 You can expect some minor medical expenses to be covered for you and your passengers. But keep in mind that there will be limitations. Your health insurance is a necessary backup.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the things that may not be automatically covered in your policy include the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Maintenance issues<\/strong> \u2013 If you experience mechanical issues, you may have to pay the cost yourself. If these problems are due to normal wear and tear or neglect, your policy typically will not cover them. Make sure to keep up with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/preparing-boat-for-spring\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spring maintenance on your vessel<\/a> to avoid problems.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Named perils only <\/strong>\u2013 Check with your agent to determine what the named perils are. Perils are a list of certain situations that will be covered under the policy. Some of these may include fire and theft.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Territorial limits<\/strong> \u2013 Some policies will not cover damage if it\u2019s outside of a designated area.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2.jpg\" alt=\"A sailboat runs aground and sinks in the shallow waters around Key West, cheap boat insurance.\" class=\"wp-image-1605\" style=\"width:726px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-60x40.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-2-210x140.jpg 210w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Underestimating the Value of Your Boat<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/summer-toy-insurance-boat-jet-ski-atv-and-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Your summer toys<\/a> may be worth more than you think, and you don\u2019t want to undervalue any of them, including your boat. You don\u2019t want to experience the total loss of your watercraft and find out later that you did not provide an accurate value. When you underestimate how much your boat is worth, you are technically underinsured. Meaning if you total your watercraft, you will not get the proper reimbursement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people think the purchase price of their boat is an accurate value for insurance purposes. However, you need to take into consideration additional equipment you may have installed, other upgrades, or a rise in overall boat-related costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ignoring Liability Coverage<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Liability coverage is a crucial component of your policy. This kicks in if someone is accidentally injured while interacting with your boat or you damage another vessel. If you don\u2019t have liability, you could be out a significant amount of money due to a costly lawsuit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Choosing the Cheapest Boat Insurance Isn\u2019t Always the Best Option<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone desires affordable boat insurance, but purchasing the cheapest plan isn\u2019t always the best option. In fact, it could cost you more in the end if you do so. Getting the lowest-priced policy will mean that your coverage amounts are limited, and you will have a high deductible. Additionally, cheaper policies may exclude vital protections. For example, if you don\u2019t have towing, liability, or salvage protection, you may be out of pocket more than it would be to purchase a better policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Choose the Right Boat Insurance for Your Needs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may wonder how to choose boat insurance so that you\u2019ll get the best policy for your needs. You can begin by determining how and where you use your craft. Also, be sure that you have an accurate value for your vessel. You can also check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/our-products\/boat-insurance\/boat-insurance-faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">boat insurance FAQs.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a policy that covers you in all situations. If you need additional coverage or higher limits for things such as liability, medical, or personal equipment\/belongings, be sure to discuss this with your agent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, shop around for the best policy for the price. Compare carriers to be sure you\u2019re getting the most for your money.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Acceptance Insurance Can Help You Avoid Boat Insurance Mistakes<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a boat or are considering purchasing one, make sure you have financial protection in case of damage. At Acceptance, we will provide you with a free, no-obligation quote that keeps you covered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acceptance Insurance agents will make sure all aspects of your policy cover you when needed. We are here to give you all the boat insurance tips you need and a budget-friendly rate. Reach out to our experienced policy advisors to receive your free quote today. Find an affordable plan that works with your vessel and budget. Contact us by phone at <a href=\"tel:8774057102\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(877) 405-7102<\/a>, visit one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/locations.acceptanceinsurance.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">many locations<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/get-a-quote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get a quote online<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Purchasing a new or used watercraft promises fun days on the water. However, boat insurance mistakes can turn a great day into a costly one. Many people may not think much about buying this type of policy until they need it. However, this type of coverage is an affordable, wise investment.&nbsp; Even if you decide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1606,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/acceptance.com\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Boat Insurance\u00a0","url":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-1-150x150.jpg","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-1.jpg"},"articleSection":"Boat Insurance","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cyndi Wright"}],"creator":["Cyndi Wright"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Acceptance Insurance","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z","datePublished":"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z","dateModified":"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Boat Insurance\\u00a0\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.acceptance.com\\\/blog\\\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.acceptance.com\\\/blog\\\/top-boat-insurance-mistakes\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.acceptance.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-1-150x150.jpg\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.acceptance.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/acc-top-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-boat-insurance-1.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Boat Insurance\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Cyndi Wright\"}],\"creator\":[\"Cyndi Wright\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Acceptance Insurance\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-11T23:47:42Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/acceptance.com\/p.js"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1604"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1604"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1607,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1604\/revisions\/1607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}