Category: Boat/Watercraft Insurance

You know that driving in Spokane, WA, comes with insurance requirements. That’s a given, but how much liability coverage do you need? To help with that answer, we at Capital Insurance made this quick guide.

Minimum Requirements

The state of Washington sets minimum liability coverage limits that you must maintain to drive legally. They look like this:

• $25,000 of boldly injury coverage per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident
• $10,000 of property damage coverage per accident

If your coverage is less than that, you could face fines and even potential jail time. 

Even if you meet the state requirements, if you are at fault in an accident that leads to property damage and personal injury, you could be on the hook for more money than your policy covers. That’s where the more significant question comes back. How much do you actually need?

Going Beyond the Law

Answering this question is different for everyone, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Minimizing liability coverage can help you keep insurance costs down when you’re on a tight budget. That does come with risk if you cause an accident, but that’s the trade-off.

If you have any assets of significant value, then it’s usually a good idea to increase your liability coverage, and it doesn’t usually raise premiums by a whole lot. An average policy would include $100,000 of injury coverage per person, $300,000 in injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of property damage coverage per accident.

At the high end, those numbers approach $250,000 / $500,000 / $250,000.

If you want liability coverage beyond that, at this point, it’s usually better to supplement your auto insurance with an umbrella policy.

That covers the basics, but you can get a customized, personal answer from your Capital Insurance representative. Have a conversation and see what coverage in Spokane, WA, should look like.

Personal watercraft are fast and flexible. They have a built-in jet drive that gives you thrills you never can get on a boat. Whether your personal watercraft is a Sea-Doo, a jet ski, or a WaveRunner, Capital Insurance, serving Spokane, WA, eastern Washington State, and northern Idaho, can help you find the personal watercraft insurance you need.

Does the State of Washington Require Personal Watercraft Insurance?

The State of Washington does not require personal watercraft insurance. Idaho and British Columbia don’t, either.

But insuring your personal watercraft and your boat is a good idea if:

• You borrowed money from your bank or credit union to buy them.
• You keep your personal watercraft or boat moored at a private dock or marina.
• You use your personal watercraft in a county that has its own stricter regulations. (You may also encounter this on lakes in Kootenai County in Idaho.)

Even if the state doesn’t require personal watercraft insurance, getting coverage is usually a good idea.

What You Get with Personal Watercraft Insurance

Capital Insurance helps water sports enthusiasts in Spokane, WA, and nearby areas obtain the important benefits of personal watercraft insurance, including:

• Personal watercraft insurance covers damage to your personal watercraft, boats, docks, and marinas, as well as the medical expenses of other people injured in a mishap with your personal watercraft. We can write an umbrella policy for you if you need high-limit liability coverage.
• Wreckage removal covers the collection of a wrecked personal watercraft from the scene of an accident.
• Fuel spill coverage takes care of the legally required cleanup of a fuel spill.
• Watersport insurance covers medical bills for anyone authorized on your policy when there is an accident with your personal watercraft.

At Capital Insurance, we can also write comprehensive, collision, and towing insurance for your personal watercraft.

Make an appointment with Capital Insurance to get the insurance you need to have fun on the water this summer. We can get you the policy that best meets your needs in minutes.

If you’re a boat owner here in the Spokane, WA area, ensuring that your vessel is properly prepared for a storm should be one of your top concerns. Storms can cause severe damage to vessels that aren’t adequately protected and cared for.

Here are some tips from Capital Insurance to help you prepare your boat for a storm: 

1. Check the weather forecast and dock or moor your boat in an area that has minimal exposure to the wind and waves. 

2. Double-check all of your lines and mooring hardware to make sure they are secure and in good condition. 

3. Remove anything that could become loose during the storm, such as antennas, flags, etc., and stow them away safely in a dry place. 

4. If possible, move all electronics (radios, computers, GPS systems) off the boat or store them in a waterproof storage container with extra padding. 

5. Make sure all hatches are closed securely and vents sealed shut with waterproof tape or covers if available. 

6. Check the bilge pump is functioning correctly so that any water ingress into the vessel can be managed appropriately. 

Following these steps can help protect your vessel from potential damage during a storm, giving you peace of mind before heading out on the open water again afterward!

Reach Out To Us!

For more safety tips or to find a policy that will cover your boat, give us at Capital Insurance a call today. We are proud to serve the Spokane, WA area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and your budget.

So don’t wait! Call us today!

It is a question that many boat owners ask. Your boat may be covered on land and in water- as long as you have insurance that provides the coverage.

Boat Insurance Coverage

Whether your boat is kept on a trailer, docked at a marina, or stored at home, it needs to be insured to protect you from financial liability if someone is injured while using it. In fact, any time the boat isn’t in use, it needs to be insured because someone could be injured while the boat is being moved.

Boat insurance covers injuries and damage that occur during normal usage, as well as accidents that occur while it’s being towed, stored, or serviced. The type of boat you have determines the type of coverage you’ll need from your insurer.

Water Coverage

Your boat policy includes liability coverage for accidents that may occur while you are on the water. It also provides coverage for damage to your boat from fire, theft, or sinking.

Boat insurance also reimburses you for damage to your boat’s structure caused by a collision with another vessel or object. It can also pay for medical expenses for you or someone on your boat if they are injured because of an accident.

Transporting Your Boat

Your boat might need to be insured when it’s being transported. If your boat or any other property is damaged during transportation, the insurance company pays for the damage up to the policy’s value you purchased.

A boat trailer can be covered under items you transport. Each policy has its own stipulations about covering trailers, but generally, if it’s attached to your vehicle and is used as transportation, the trailer is insured along with your car. Your insurer provides coverage up to the value of your policy for property damage.

If you have a boat, your boat will need insurance for it to be covered, whether it’s on land or in water. Make sure you have the right insurance policy that provides you with sufficient coverage, so you can rest easy- knowing that your boat is protected. If you are in Spokane, WA, contact Capital insurance for all your boat insurance needs.