Boat owners ask us the same two questions: do I need marine insurance in Pennsylvania, and is it required or only recommended. In Pennsylvania marine insurance is highly recommended, and insurance companies often sell it as boating insurance. The point of carrying it is coverage for damage or accidents, and when a carrier will not honor that coverage, we are here to help you through the claim process.
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The registration rules matter to any claim. In Pennsylvania you must register any motorized water vessel, including yachts, fishing boats, and jet skis, with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and you also need to register a non-motorized fishing boat used at a state park lake or other water owned by the Commission. The Commission requires that any boat operator carry a Boating Safety Education Certificate, issued to those who pass its class and good for life, and it should be with you while you operate a motorized vessel. Even though the state does not require boating insurance, a bank that financed the boat may, and some marinas and docks require it before they let you dock.
Filing itself is relatively simple. You file with your marine insurance company by phone or online, and then the file goes through the carrier's review. Every insurer has fraud detection policies, and because boats and other aquatic vessels are susceptible to fraud, boating claims may pass through stricter guidelines than other property claims. Be as honest as possible, and if you are unsure how to proceed, talk to your marine insurance claims attorney before speaking with the carrier. You should hear back within a reasonable time, and an insurer may not unreasonably delay your claim, though a natural disaster can cause legitimate delay.
Marine Insurance Claims
As a Pennsylvanian, do I need marine insurance? Is it required or is it only recommended? These are common questions for boat owners in the state of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, marine insurance is highly recommended. It is often referred to as boating insurance by insurance companies. Once you obtain insurance, the objective is to have coverage for damage or accidents.
We at Freundlich & Littman, LLC are your marine insurance claim attorneys. We are here to help you through the process. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are home to many great fishing spots. If you carry insurance on your boat, you should receive full compensation for any damage. If not, contact us today. We are here to fight for you.
PA Marine Rules
In the state of Pennsylvania, you need to register any motorized water vessel. This includes yachts, fishing boats, and jet skis. You must register it with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Be careful. You need to make sure you also register any non-motorized fishing boat if used at a state park lake or a body of water owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission requires that any operator of a boat carry a Boating Safety Education Certificate. The Commission issues the certificates to those that pass their class. While operating a watercraft, boaters must carry the Certificate. The certificate is good for life. You should carry the certificate on hand while operating a motorized water vessel.
Even though Pennsylvania does not require you to have boating insurance, it might be a requirement if you owe money to a bank for your boat. Likewise, certain marinas or docks may need you to carry insurance before you receive permission to dock your boat there.
Making A Claim To Your Insurance Company
The insurance claim process for a boat is relatively simple. Whether by phone or online, you file the claim with your marine insurance company. All insurance companies have fraud detection policies in place. Boats and other aquatic vessels are susceptible to fraud; therefore, boating insurance claims may need to pass through stricter guidelines.
The best policy is to be as honest as possible. If you are unsure of how to proceed, contact your marine insurance claims attorney before speaking to them. After speaking with them, you should hear back after a reasonable time. Insurance companies may not unreasonably delay your marine insurance claim. Keep in mind that a natural disaster may cause some delays.
