Boat Insurance Happy Valley, OR
No one wants to think a boating accident could happen to them, but thousands of recreational boating accidents are reported across the United States each year. Buying the right boat insurance in Happy Valley, OR from the experts at Schmidt Insurance Group will give you peace of mind
Schmidt Insurance Group opened its doors in 2019 with a goal of making insurance easy and affordable while providing exceptional customer service. We proudly serve the local Portland area as well as the states of Oregon and Washington.
What is Boat Insurance?
Boat insurance is somewhat like auto insurance, except it’s designed to protect boats and boaters instead of cars and drivers. A typical policy will provide the financial protection you need if you are involved in an accident with another boat or a passenger is injured.
Most boat insurance policies include the following coverages:
- Collision damage: Regardless of who is at fault, collision coverage usually includes repair or replacement of your boat, but may not include clean-up of wreckage unless you purchase additional coverage.
- Property damage liability: This type of liability coverage can help you pay for damage you might cause to someone else’s boat, dock, or other property.
- Bodily injury liability: This liability coverage can help you pay for injuries you might cause to another person when using your boat; such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and legal fees.
- Comprehensive: This coverage can protect you in the event of non-collision damage, such as if your boat is stolen, vandalized, or damaged in an incident other than a collision.
- Medical payments: This coverage may cover a boater or their passenger’s medical bills if they’re injured
In addition to these coverages, boat policies also have coverages that are particular to boating, such as coverage for:
- Fishing or waterskiing equipment stored on the boat
- Life preservers, anchors, paddles and similar equipment
- On-water towing
- Oil or fuel spills
- Recovering a sunken boat
When Is Your Boat Not Covered?
Even when you have boat insurance, be aware that there are times when your boat may not be covered. For example, if you specified that your boat would be out of the water and stored during a certain part of the year, taking it for a spin during that time will mean you have no coverage if an accident occurs.
If you are tempted to let your 13-year-old drive your boat every now and then, consider that it’s against the law in Oregon for anyone under 16 to operate a personal watercraft without being accompanied by someone 18 or older, and your boat may not be covered if an accident occurs in this situation.
While there is no substitute for practicing good boater safety, boat insurance can provide Happy Valley, OR boaters with financial protection if they are ever involved in a covered accident. Stop by Schmidt Insurance Group today and introduce yourself, or reach out to us at (503) 206-0881 for more information. Our agents know their Schmidt!
