BoatU.S. urges to check insurance against slip

January 2008 News
"What this means in real terms, for example, is if a boater's guest is injured due to the marina's negligence and sues the marina, or a boat is damaged by the marina and it declines to pay for repairs, the boat owner could be responsible for defending the marina and paying any amounts that the marina is responsible for," said BoatU.S. Vice President of Underwriting, Jim Nolan.
"In the insurance industry, it's called contractual liability," said Nolan, noting that such slip contract language includes terms like "hold harmless and indemnify" and "defend and indemnify". "If they see this language, boaters should check to make sure that their boat's insurance policy provides them with coverage for these types of contractual liabilities before they sign their slip or storage contract," he added.
If the boat insurance policy does not include contractual liability coverage, boaters could find themselves paying big money out of pocket for injuries, defense lawyers and possibly property damage to their own boat because the "hold harmless" provision may insulate the marina from paying for damages it may have caused.
"Many boat insurance policies exclude contractual liabilities and do not allow a boater to simply sign away their insurer's right to be reimbursed for boat damage caused by the marina," added Nolan.
BoatU.S. marine insurance policies provide contractual liability coverage assumed under a boat storage or slip rental contract. For more information or an online quote, visit
http://www.BoatUS.com/Insurance, or call 800-283-2883.
  • Like what you read?

    Want to know when we have important news, updates or interviews?

You Might Also Be Interested In...
News, Feature

BoatClass Expands to more than 35 Locations

BoatClass, a certified on-water boater training ha...
Web Exclusive
Feature, News

TowBoatUS Service Now in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

When boats break down on the water, TowBoatUS safe...
Web Exclusive
BoatUS
News

Introducing Revel Boats

Revel Boats is the newest pontoon brand that was i...
Feature, News

Earth-friendly tips for Earth Day

Mother Earth needs a little help from boaters, but...
Web Exclusive
BoatUS
Feature, News

Coming Up: Marine Service Technician Week

The week is dedicated to recognizing the exception...
Web Exclusive
Feature, News

Supersede Set to Transform Marine Grade Plywood Market

Supersede Marine Board addresses the gap in the ma...
Web Exclusive
Theresa Nicholson
Share

Send to your friends!

Click here to read the current issue.

Already a subscriber? Please check your email for the latest full issue link.