Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Being a recent pontoon owner, I'm not sure what kind or how much insurance to have.
Any guidance would be appreciated. Also, any particular insurance company?
I'm on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Thanks in advance.

Have all major companies State farm, All State, etc. give you a quote. Just make sure you insure it for a stated amount not Market Value. For example if your boat and motor cost 40 grand make sure the policy states that amount. Not fair market value.

Yep, my policy pays what I originally paid for my boat if it's totaled. I like BoatUS, usually the cheapest and best in most areas.

I have it written into my home owners less checks to write

its an amendium so the deductible is different from my house.

As others have stated always use agreed value, be sure it covers add on items such as depth finders, trailer, motor and gear. I have used BoatUS, Travelers and Progressive. All were in the ballpark on cost. I have had claims with progressive and BoatUS, both paid with no questions but progressive had a check in my hands three days after quote was provided, BoatUS took about four weeks and I am not saying four weeks is bad. Both would be considered quick compared to some auto claims I have had.

Well I have my boat insured thru Progressive... now my boat is no 40K boat. I've got a 20 foot bennington with a yamaha 75 on the back end... I have the boat and motor insured for a total of 25K... my premium for one year was somewhere around 140 to 150, but if I paid it all at once ( which I did, there was a slight discount ) the premium was reduced to 124.00 My understanding is this policy has no depreciation for the first 5 years, so when the boat was brand new or if something were to happen to it today 4 years later, they would cut me a check for 25K.... now after 5 years, they start figuring in depreciation.... at that point I may just roll it into my homeowners insurance ( Shelter insurance ).. I looked into Boat US but the policy they quoted me was more than double what I'm paying now... I understand they're a good insurance company, but I couldn't justify the premium, especially since I only used my boat 4 or 5 times last year.

I have mine on my home owners, which is good because I have a 1 million doller blanket policy there, also as stated earlyer. I gave then engine and toon value. JT

What ever you choose, make sure that have towing back to your dock is included.

FYI - Boat/US has several tow boats here at LOTO.

I had my broker quote a policy that is consistent with my homeowners and excess liability policy, so it won't be the cheapest, but it does let my other policies step in, if need be.

Besides towing, both trailer (6k) and on-the-water, it contains pollution coverage, search and rescue (10K), under-insured boater (500K), and substantial medical payments (25K). I'll be boating in inter coastal waters and I think any accident with damages over $2000 involve FLW or the Coast Guard.

If it makes you feel better, my policy is around $775. This is consistent with coverage I had on my offshore center console.

Cheers!
Capt Mike

$775? Have you considered shopping around?

I have Progressive on a boat comparable to yours, and it's under $300.

The big nationals should be okay, also: Allstate, State Farm, GEICO. Boat U.S. is a good specialized insurance company. Many price quotations are available online.

My towing insurance is a cell phone. If I had a problem on our 16K acre lake, I'd call my neighbor to come haul me in. That's a benefit of owning a lake house.