Does Boat Insurance Cover Snow Damage During Winter Storage?
Written by
Paul Martin is the Director of Education and Development for Myron Steves, one of the largest, most respected insurance wholesalers in the southern U.S.
Q: Does boat insurance cover snow/water damage that occurs during winter storage?
I have my boat put away for the winter, but with this awful weather we’ve been having, I can’t help worrying about potential damages to it. I do have a boat insurance policy, but I’m not sure if I’m covered against snow and water damage while it’s stored away. Does boat insurance cover against these things?
A: Whether or not you are covered depends on both the policy you have purchased and where and how you are storing your boat. First off, your policy must include comprehensive coverage if you wish to be compensated for non-collision related damages. The rest depends on the fine print in your boat insurance policy.
If your boat is kept indoors and heavy snow causes the roof of the storage area to cave in, chances are good that your comprehensive coverage will compensate you for any related damaged to your boat. However, if you store your boat outdoors where it is exposed to the elements and protected only by a tarp, you are not likely to be compensated.
You seem to also be concerned about water damage. This makes sense because when the snow starts to melt, there is an increased risk of flooding. The good news is that most boat insurance policies will include flood damage with their comprehensive coverage. This is important to know since neither a home insurance policy nor a flood insurance policy will cover flood damage to boats or other vehicles.
If you are not certain about what your boat insurance covers when your boat is being stored, you can always ask your local Trusted Choice® independent agent to help you review your policy. If you are unhappy with what you discover, your agent can help you shop around for a policy that may be able to better meet your needs.