Products & Services

Recreational Vehicles

Motorcycles, boats, personal watercraft, motorhomes are exciting modes of transportation. They provide a great means of escape on weekends and vacations, but ownership of these thrill-seeking vehicles creates the need for special insurance to protect you, your passengers and others.
While all recreational-type vehicles can be protected by the same basic coverages, each one has its own special requirements and restrictions. This area offers some basic information about insuring the vehicles you use for sports and recreation.

At a minimum you need "liability" and "comprehensive" insurance coverage. Liability protects you if your vehicle injures someone or damages someone else's property, and comprehensive insurance protects your property in case of vandalism, damage or destruction caused by theft or fire. Depending on the age and value of your investment, you may want to purchase collision insurance, which provides coverage for damage you cause to your own property.

Motorcycle Insurance

Choosing the right insurance policy is much like choosing the right motorcycle: you want it to fit your needs and lifestyle.

The key to finding which coverage is best for you involves learning about all the options available.

Liability coverage
Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to other people involved in an accident. It doesn't cover you or your motorcycle. Find out if your coverage includes Guest Passenger Liability, which provides protection in the event that a passenger is injured on the motorcycle. Whether or not this is included depends on the laws of your state and the company issuing the policy.

Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers damage to your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident. Your insurance company pays for damages, minus your deductible, caused when you collide with another vehicle or object. Collision insurance usually covers the book value of the motorcycle before the loss occurred.

Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by an event other than a collision, such as fire, theft or vandalism. However, just like collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for damages, minus your deductible, and cover only the book value of the motorcycle.

Keep in mind most comprehensive and collision coverages will only cover the factory standard parts on your bike. If you decide to add on any additional optional accessories such as chrome parts, a custom paint job, trailers or sidecars, you need to look into obtaining additional equipment coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical treatment, lost wages and other damages if a driver who has no insurance hits you. If your uninsured motorist coverage includes property damage, then your motorcycle would also be covered under the same circumstances. Check with your insurance professional to see if property damage is included or needs to be purchased separately.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage is similar to uninsured motorist coverage, except it applies when the other party has lower coverage limits than you do and damages exceed the other party's limits.

Boats

The amount you pay for your boat insurance will depend on many factors including the boat's value and the value of your boating equipment, the engine's horsepower and whether it's in-board or out-board, and the length of the boat.

You may purchase additional coverages for such things as such as Fuel and Other Spillage Liability, your boat trailer, medical payments, personal effects and liability to protect you from an uninsured boater. You may be eligible to receive lower rates if you hold a captain's license or have completed safety courses provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Courses. You may also receive discounts for having safety equipment on board or providing protective storage for your boat during non-use or off-season.

Most homeowners policies have very limited automatic coverage for watercraft, if any at all. For example, some policies may offer up to $1,000 for physical damage and liability coverage for outboard motors up to 50 horsepower. Some homeowners policies may also provide limited coverage for trailers and equipment. When you purchase any type of watercraft, it is best to contact our office as coverage does very from company to company and we can provide you with the information to best protect your investment.

Larger and faster boats, yachts, and personal watercraft such as jet skis and wave runners require a separate boat insurance policy. The size, type, and value of the craft and the water in which you use it factor into how much you will pay for insurance coverage.

For physical loss or damage, coverage includes the hull, machinery, fittings, furnishings and permanently attached equipment for an agreed value. These policies also provide broader liability protection than a homeowners policy.

Boat insurance also covers:

• Bodily injury—for injuries caused to another person
• Property damage—for damage caused to someone else’s property
• Guest passenger liability—for any legal expenses incurred by someone using the boat with the owner’s permission
• Medical payments—for injuries to the boat owner and other passengers
• Theft

Additional coverage can be purchased for trailers and other accessories. Boat owners may also consider purchasing an umbrella liability policy which will provide additional protection for their boat, home and car. Boaters should also inquire about special equipment kept on the boat, such as fishing gear, to make sure it is covered and verify that towing coverage is included in the policy.

Personal Watercraft
The price of insuring a personal watercraft (also referred to as jet skis) varies depending on its engine power and value. Your insurance costs will typically be higher for a jet ski with more than 500 cc. You also may obtain insurance to protect your trailer and other coverages similarly to a boat.

Motorhomes
This type of policy will provide you with liability, medical payments and physical damage coverage for your motor-home and can be endorsed to include coverage for rental to others. Other coverages you may want to consider are:

• Replacement Cost/Purchase Price - In the event of a total loss, you will receive a new unit equal to the model, class, body type and equipment of your previous one. You will be compensated for the actual purchase price of the vehicle.
• Personal Effects - Your valuables (clothing, jewelry, etc.) may be covered against most hazards.

Other coverages you may want to discuss with us are Towing and Labor or Emergency Expense Allocation insurance.