How To Get a Boat Insurance Quote

By Brad Halvorsen

If you purchase a boat, you will want to protect your investment. The most common way of protecting your investment is to obtain Boat Insurance. The first step in getting Boat Insurance is to get a quote from a reputable insurance carrier.

Before contacting the insurance company for a quote, prepare yourself with the following information.

1. The make, model and year of the boat. Also, be prepared to discuss what you feel the current price of the boat is.
2. Details on the motor, whether it is inboard or outboard and the horsepower.
3. Information on your trailer, including how it hooks to the vehicle and the approximate replacement cost.

After you have prepared yourself with the above information, you will need to obtain the actual quote. There are three common ways to do so. For all three, it is recommended that you utilize the same resources that you use for your Homeowners and Automobile Insurance as they are usually able to offer you a multiple policy discount that can amount to significant savings.

1. The first method is the most traditional method. This involves contacting your local brick and mortar agent. Most agents commit themselves to being visible in their market through advertising and other sponsorship opportunities. The agent will act as a middle man between you and the insurance carrier, obtaining the quote for you from the larger insurance company.
2. The next option would be to contact your insurance carrier by phone. Refer to the policy page provided for your Homeowners or Automobile Policy and call the phone number for policy services. Explain to the representative who answers what you are looking for a quote on.
3. The third option is to obtain a quote through the Internet. Most major carriers now offer quotes directly through their websites. Navigate to the website and click the link to "Get a Quote" and request your quote. You may be contacted by a local agent after submitting the request.

Now that you have received your quotes, it is important to review all of the policy details carefully. Be sure that the limits of insurance are sufficient for a worst case scenario where your boat is totally destroyed. Also, confirm that the deductible (your portion of any loss) is a dollar amount that you are comfortable with. Do not hesitate to contact the agent or insurance company if you have any questions regarding the quote that you received.