Canalboats are fun for navigating the canals around the U.K. but you must make sure you have proper insurance coverage if you plan on owning one. Canalboat ownership is a major investment and you want to protect it to the fullest. When you decide to purchase one you will need to contact a canalboat insurance agent to get your insurance coverage in place.
There are features of your insurance policy that you need make sure are in place and that you have enough coverage. These include coverage for loss or damage, whether by fire, theft, malicious damage and negligence; coverage for theft of machinery onboard generators; the contents of the boat, including a boat cover; third party liability coverage and use on inland waterways.
Knowing what is covered is all well and good. However, it is just as important, if not more so, to know what is not covered. Most policies typically exclude these:
• Using the boat as a houseboat;
• The loss of value of your boat after it has undergone repairs;
• Loss of value to due age of boat and use of boat;
• Corrosion of any type;
• Wear and tear
If any of these are needed you should speak to your canalboat insurance agent and get quotes for them.
Your insurance should cover your boat and your liability to others including people who are on your boat. You coverage is for when the boat is in use or in storage. You should also make sure you indicate what regions you intend to use the boat in as it is not covered if you are out of those areas and damage occurs.
You need to make sure you are covered for items that are not included in the policy such as coverage for personal items on the boat or injury to someone who has paid to use the boat; There are many exclusions and limitations that are only revealed through a thorough reading of the contract documents.
You can go online and search for canalboat insurance; a few of the companies have samples of their contract documents available for you to read. These list the exclusions and limitations along with the details of what the policy includes.
Enjoy your canalboat every opportunity you get and make sure you are insured to the fullest by reading the details and knowing what is and isn’t included in your policy.