Ordinarily, carrying a boat insurance policy should be enough to ensure that you’ll be covered if an accident were to happen to your boat while you were driving on Miami Beach, FL waterways, but what if someone else borrows your boat and gets in a collision? If a family member or friend happens to be behind the wheel of your boat when an accident occurs, you’re not going to be covered – you’ll be liable for damages and any injuries that result. Boat-borrowing, or letting someone else take the wheel is a tempting concept that can become a tricky situation that your standard policy just won’t cover. 

Your first priority should be safety and protection from liability, which will require both standard boat liability coverage as well as an umbrella policy to take care of any coverage gaps. If you plan on letting someone drive your boat, or there is a chance they will borrow it on their own, make sure all of your bases are protected. Here’s what you need to know from the experts at Assure-Us about your insurance needs if others drive your boat: 

Standard Liability Coverage 

Unlike automobile insurance laws, carrying boat insurance is not required by law in Miami Beach, FL. However, it’s definitely a good idea to have a basic boat liability policy to cover you against physical damage to your boat or items on board and to cover you and passengers from injury. Your basic boat liability policy will also cover damage to other boats, piers or docks. Depending on your policy, you’ll also receive coverage in the event of fire, theft or bad weather. 

Why You Need An Umbrella Policy 

It is important to remember that your basic liability policy will not cover you if someone borrows your boat, meaning that you’ll be held liable in court for any damages caused when someone other than you operates your boat. Your umbrella policy will cover you, family members and friends who might borrow your boat. This policy will provide temporary boat insurance to individuals you allow to operate your boat who are not on your standard boat policy, filling any gaps in coverage.   

For more information about how to protect yourself while enjoying your boating experience, contact the insurance experts at Assure-Us today.