Protect Your Boat Like You Protect Your Car

By Teresa Ambord

It’s an odd phenomenon.  Even many people who carefully lock up their cars and trucks leave their boats vulnerable to all kinds of disasters, including theft.   That may be why so many are stolen each year.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that each month, about 775 boats are stolen and never seen again by their owners.  And don’t think that just because your boat is small, you needn’t worry.  Most boats that are stolen are under 20 feet long. According to the President  of the NICB, Robert M. Bryant.  Bryant adds, "Regardless of whether you own a 10-foot jon boat or a 110-foot luxury yacht, owners should make sure that their boat or personal watercraft has the same level of protection as their car or truck.”

Because boat theft is such big business, here is what the NICB recommends for boat owners and would-be buyers.

Watch for these common fraud indicators:

  • If a boat is offered for sale at a price below market, be suspicious.
  • Before you buy, check the HIN (Hull Identification Number) to make sure it matches the registration.

The NICB also recommends that you ensure your boat’s safety using the same logic you use to protect your car:

  • make sure the vessel is clearly marked for identification
  • dock in well-lighted areas
  • use steel cables to secure the boat, rather than ropes
  • faithfully use alarms that make noise and slow down would-be thieves
  • remove detachable outboard motors or chain them to the boat
  • don’t leave the engine running or leave the keys in the ignition
  • lock up the cabin, doors, and windows when you’re away
  • if the boat will be docked for very long, disable it, such as by removing the battery

For more tips on keeping your boat safe, log onto the NICB Web site at:

Boat Insurance

Smaller boats like canoes and sail or motorboats that travel at less than 25 mph may be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy.   Although your home insurance may not cover liability, you might be able to add it as an endorsement.   If you have a larger or faster boat, or a personal watercraft you will likely need a separate policy just for the vessel.

Insurance specifically for boats provides better protection than a homeowners policy.  It includes loss and damage to the boat itself up to a pre-determined amount.

Boat insurance also covers:

  • theft
  • bodily injury to another person
  • property damage, to someone else’s property
  • legal expenses incurred by someone using the boat with the owner’s permission
  • medical payments for injuries to the boat owner and passengers

When you inquire about boat insurance, ask your agent if there are discounts available, including:

For more information about boating insurance, ask your insurance agent or visit the Insurance Institute Web site at:

To register your boat online, and to see boating laws in your state, log onto:

Here’s one possibility for finding boat insurance and many other types of “specialty” coverage:

Sources: