Fishing & Bass Boat Insurance

Whether you enjoy fishing for recreation, sport, or as a profession, once you own a fishing boat or a bass boat, you have likely made a significant investment in this gratifying pursuit. The expense of equipment such as gear and tackle can add up quickly, particularly for commercial fishermen. Further, open water can present hazardous conditions, so it's a good idea to protect your watercraft with a fishing or bass boat insurance policy.

Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the fishing and bass boat insurance you need. They'll get you matched to the right policy with the ideal amount of coverage. But first, here's a deep dive into fishing and bass boat insurance, what it covers, and why it's necessary.

What Is Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance?

Fishing and bass boat insurance is a special type of boat insurance designed to protect bass fishing boats and recreational fishing boats. It can reimburse boaters and fishermen for expenses related to physical damage to their watercraft and equipment and gear, like outboard motors, reels, trailers, lures, and fishing rods. 

Coverage can pay for medical expenses if a third party gets injured on or near your boat or because of a collision with your vessel. It can also reimburse you for the repairs or replacement of third-party property if it gets damaged or destroyed by your boat. 

If you are sued, fishing and bass boat insurance can cover lawsuit expenses such as attorney and defense costs. Many policies include coverage for incidents that occur while towing your vessel as well. You can also often add coverage for emergency roadside assistance and on-water assistance if your boat becomes disabled.

Is Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance Required?

If you own a business that involves fishing boats or bass boats and gear, you are likely required by law to carry maritime insurance. A bass or fishing boat policy can fulfill this mandate with options that meet your unique coverage needs. You likely also need other coverages from a larger business insurance policy.

Additionally, if you own a fishing or bass boat for the purpose of recreational or sports fishing, a bass and fishing boat insurance policy can provide you with a full range of coverage options to protect your investment. If you've financed your boat, you might be required to carry fishing and bass boat insurance by your lender. Further, if you dock your vessel at a marina, you may be required to provide proof of insurance.

What Does Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance Cover?

Fishing and bass boat insurance policies can vary significantly depending on your specific needs. The two basic components of every fishing insurance policy are liability coverage and hull coverage. 

However, you'll likely need additional forms of protection to complete your policy. You can choose from the following coverage options when building your fishing and bass boat insurance policy:

• Marine liability coverage: This can reimburse you for expenses related to injuries to passengers on your boat and any bodily injuries or property damage to other third parties, like water skiers or boaters, after an accident. If you are sued as a result of a covered incident, your liability insurance will help to cover your legal fees and court costs.
• Hull coverage: This provides compensation for physical damage to your boat, its engine, navigation equipment, machinery, and other components on board. Damage caused by collisions, weather, natural disasters, fire, vandalism, and theft is covered.
• Uninsured boaters insurance: This can reimburse you for repairs to your boat and other property as well as medical payments if you're involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured boater.
• Fuel spill and wreckage clean-up insurance: If you're involved in a boat collision that requires a clean-up, such as due to a fuel spill polluting the water, this coverage can reimburse you for professional towing and wreckage clean-up services.
• Premises liability coverage: This coverage is useful for commercial fishing establishments that perform fishing operations both on and off the boat and includes personal injury and medical payments coverage, as well as libel, slander, wrongful entry, and invasion of privacy. It's designed to help you if someone is injured or you're liable for property damage on your boat.
• Storm haul-out insurance: In the event of an NOAA-named storm in your area, this coverage can assist with the costs of hauling or safely securing your boat.
• Gear and fishing tackle insurance: While your hull insurance will protect the components of your boat from loss and damage, you might need to add gear and fishing tackle insurance to protect your expensive fishing equipment.
• Tournament insurance: If you compete in fishing competitions, tournament coverage can provide you with the necessary liability coverage needed to compete in these tournaments. It may also cover any tournament entry fees, for example, if your boat is damaged and you are unable to participate.
• Charter boat coverage: If you work as a fishing guide or run a charter boat fishing operation, charter boat coverage is often required by law and is necessary to protect your business assets.

Your independent insurance agent can help you build a complete fishing and bass boat insurance policy that includes every type of coverage you need to protect your watercraft and personal liability.

What's Not Covered by Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance?

Fishing and bass boat insurance come with various exclusions that are important to be aware of before you try to file a claim. Your policy isn't likely to cover any of the following:

• General wear and tear to the boat, gear, and equipment
• Hull corrosion
• Manufacturing defects
• Malicious or intentional acts against others
• Collisions with marine life
• Mold or mildew damage

Your independent insurance agent can help you review the exclusions of your specific fishing and bass boat insurance policy to determine if you need more coverage.

How Much Is Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance?

The cost of fishing and bass boat insurance can vary greatly depending on your coverage needs, as well as the size of your boat and other factors. Naturally, the owner of a commercial fishing operation will require a much more comprehensive policy than a recreational bass boat owner. As a result, their coverage is likely to be quite a bit more expensive. 

The value of your boat can also greatly impact the cost of your coverage. For example, insurance for a $50,000 fishing boat or bass boat can range from $500 to $3,000 per year, while coverage for a $200,000 bass boat or fishing boat can range from $3,000-$6,000 annually. 

Other factors that can influence the cost of your policy include the following:

• Your location
• The make and model of your boat
• The engine size of your boat
• How your boat is used and stored
• Deductible amount
• Whether you opt for actual (depreciated) value or agreed-value replacement coverage
• The coverage options and limits you choose

It's typically wise to shop around and compare quotes to make sure that the insurance you buy is customized to your needs. A local independent insurance agent can help you find affordable fishing and bass boat insurance near you.

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An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Get a Quote for Fishing and Bass Boat Insurance

When it's time to get the coverage you need for your watercraft, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple boat insurance companies, so they can shop and compare policy options and rates for you. And down the road, your agent can help you file boat insurance claims and update your coverage as necessary.