After a summer full of adventure and activities, it’s finally time to put your boat into storage. You might be questioning if you really need insurance on a boat you're not actively using.
Do I need Boat Insurance If I Store My Boat at Home?
No, you do not need to have insurance on a boat if you’re storing it in your house or on your property. However, it is important to note that your home/property insurance will not cover your boat in the event of fire, theft, or other loss. Technically speaking, you do not legally need to maintain boat insurance if you’re storing your boat at home.
That being said, if you plan on storing your boat on your property, you may want to consider maintaining your boat insurance policy through the winter months, even if you’re not using it.
Do I Need Boat Insurance If I store my boat at a friend/family members house?
No, you technically do not need to have insurance if your boat is being stored at a non-commercial storage facility. Once again, it is important to note, that your boat will not be covered under any policy on someone else’s property. That means that if there is damage or theft you will not have any coverage.
It is highly recommended that you at very least maintain liability insurance if it is being stored on someone else's property. In the event that someone was hurt or property was damaged as a result of your boat, liability insurance would have you protected. Without liability insurance, if something were to happen, you could be held financially liable for any damages.
Do I need Boat Insurance If I store My Boat at a Storage Facility?
Yes, nearly all storage facilities require you to maintain at very least liability insurance on your boat if it is being stored at a commercial storage facility.
Note, that liability insurance alone will not cover the cost of your boat in event of a fire, theft, or other loss at a storage facility. While the storage facility may be culpable for any damages, there is a possibility that legal proceedings could drag out for long periods of time. Maintaining a comprehensive policy on your boat can protect in the event of worst-case scenarios.
