Personal Insurance
Understand what your homeowners policy does and doesn't do for a boat.
Coverage for boats and personal watercraft, separate from what a homeowners policy typically addresses.
No obligation. Starting a review does not change or bind any coverage.
What's going on
Homeowners policies often include a small amount of coverage for a boat, but it's usually limited in value, horsepower, or the type of watercraft, and it may not include liability coverage while the boat is on the water. If you own a boat, personal watercraft, or anything you take out on a Kansas City area lake, it's worth understanding where your homeowners policy stops and where a dedicated watercraft policy would pick up.
Why it matters
The limited coverage many homeowners policies include for watercraft usually caps out at a certain value or horsepower, and personal watercraft like jet skis are often excluded entirely or capped very low. Liability coverage while operating the boat, which matters if someone is injured or another boat is damaged, is often limited or absent under a homeowners policy. A dedicated watercraft policy is generally built to address the boat's value, liability while operating it, and other exposures more completely.
Things worth considering
Points we would talk through with you. Which of them apply depends on your situation, and what you do about them is your decision.
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What does your homeowners policy actually include for watercraft?
It's worth asking specifically, rather than assuming. Many homeowners policies cap watercraft coverage by value or horsepower, and some exclude personal watercraft like jet skis entirely.
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What liability coverage applies while you're operating the boat?
This matters if someone is injured or another boat or dock is damaged. It's often limited or missing under a homeowners policy.
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What is the boat's value, and how would that be determined after a loss?
Similar to a vehicle, the value used after a total loss can be determined a few different ways. It's worth understanding which applies to your boat.
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Where do you keep and use the boat?
Storage location and the bodies of water you typically use can be factors worth discussing.
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Does the policy cover towing and on-water breakdowns?
This can matter if the boat breaks down away from the dock. It's worth confirming whether it's included or available separately.
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Do you have permanently attached equipment, like a trolling motor or electronics?
Equipment attached to the boat may need to be reflected in the coverage separately from the boat's base value.
Information on this website is general in nature and is not a complete description of any insurance policy or every coverage option that may be available. Coverage availability, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions vary by insurer, policy and individual circumstances. The issued insurance policy and applicable endorsements control coverage. Beacon Point Insurance Group may provide information regarding available insurance options and discuss coverage considerations based on information you provide, but customers are responsible for selecting the carrier, coverages, limits and deductibles they wish to purchase. No insurance coverage is bound, changed, or canceled through this website unless confirmed by Beacon Point Insurance Group or the applicable insurer.
How this tends to come up
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Assuming a homeowners policy handled the boat
A homeowner near a Kansas City area lake assumed their standard homeowners policy took care of their boat. It turned out to include only a limited amount, well under the boat's actual value, which came up during a review.
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A personal watercraft excluded entirely
A family in the Kansas City metro bought a jet ski and later learned their homeowners policy excluded personal watercraft altogether, which led to a conversation about a dedicated watercraft policy.
We Learn. We Compare. We Explain. You Decide.
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We Learn
We ask questions about your situation and the insurance you currently carry.
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We Compare
Based on the information you provide, we can obtain and compare available options from the insurance companies we represent.
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We Explain
We help you understand important differences in coverage, limits, deductibles, policy terms, and price.
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You Decide
You select the company, coverages, limits, deductibles, and options you want to purchase.
What working with us is like
The part people tend to mention is that someone explained it and then let them decide.
More personal coverage
Let's find the options that work for you.
No obligation. Starting a review does not change or bind any coverage.