Many people believe sailboats or powerboats are covered under their auto or homeowners policies. But, for most insurers, that isn't the case. Consider this:

• Typically, an auto policy won’t provide liability or physical damage coverage for a boat.
• Most homeowners policies provide a limited amount of coverage for physical damage to boats. They also restrict automatic liability coverage to low-powered boats.

Large, fast motorboats, yachts and personal watercrafts such as jet skis and wave runners require a separate boat insurance policy. Boat insurance offers coverage for things like:

·         Bodily injury - for injuries caused to others, such as swimmers, jet skiers or other boaters

·         Property damage - for damage caused to someone else's property

·         Theft and vandalism – that can occur on land or in the water

·         Medical payments - for injuries to the boat owner, family members and others who are injured

ERIE’s Boat Protector Policy

With a policy from Erie Insurance, you’ll get comprehensive coverage that covers many types of losses. It will cover, for example, damages resulting from a collision, fire or lightening. ERIE offers:

• Up to $500 in coverage for boating equipment and accessories at no additional cost
• Payments up to $250 per occurrence for emergency towing to the nearest marina, if your boat is disabled or stranded on the water
• $1,000 coverage of non-owned property
• $500 fire extinguisher recharge

For an additional premium or fee, ERIE also offers optional coverage such as uninsured boater protection. This coverage protects you should you be involved in a boating accident caused by a hit-and-run boater or a boater who has no insurance. Credits are available, too, for things like radars, built-in fire extinguishing systems and ship-to-shore radios.

So, if you have a boat or are thinking about getting one, contact The McElhinny Insurance Agency. We will review your coverage and help ensure that your boat is properly insured.  Call 412-650-5700 today.

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered

in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory

information.