| Purchasing a houseboat is guaranteed to give you | | | | rates, coverage, restrictions, and terms will be |
| years of unlimited pleasure. Provided, however | | | | similar. |
| that you've insured your houseboat properly. | | | | Still, there are differences. The function of a |
| Otherwise, you could lose your life's savings and in | | | | houseboat is different from a cabin cruiser. The |
| the worse case scenario, and be forced to file for | | | | construction of a houseboat reflects this. They |
| bankruptcy. | | | | are normally flat-bottomed and designed to |
| In the marine insurance industry, houseboats are | | | | navigate slowly through the waters. |
| categorized together with jet boats, ski boats, | | | | Many houseboats are bulkier, since they come |
| sailboats, cabin cruisers and party boats as a | | | | equipped with bigger sleeping & living areas, full |
| pleasure boat. For this reason, this kind of | | | | galley, and enclosed head. A race boat or cabin |
| coverage is not generally handled by regular | | | | cruiser is smaller, more seaworthy, and easy to |
| insurance companies. You should carefully shop for | | | | maneuver and built for speed. |
| underwriters who specifically handle these policies. | | | | Liability and Medical Payments to Others |
| The first houseboat insurance tenet you must | | | | Pays for bodily injury or property damage you |
| follow is to find a reliable insurer who'll service | | | | are liable for. |
| your needs. Conduct the search both ways. | | | | Physical Damage Coverage |
| · Word of mouth | | | | Pays for the damage your boat, motor, and |
| Ask boating friends for insurance | | | | trailer sustain. |
| recommendations. | | | | Uninsured Watercraft Coverage |
| · Conduct research on the recommended | | | | Pays for personal injury damages you are entitled |
| insurance carriers, the company in-charge of | | | | to recover from the owner or operator who |
| providing you coverage. | | | | have not insured their vessel. |
| The following facts (as provided by the Insurance | | | | Medical Payments For The Insured |
| Information Institute) about your houseboat, such | | | | Covers you and your family's medical fees, if you |
| as horsepower, size and age of your boat, the | | | | sustain accidental boating injuries. |
| type of craft and where it is used (i.e. moored in | | | | Towing and Assistance |
| a river or hurricane prone area), determines | | | | This coverage pays for the expenses you incur |
| coverage and premium you will pay for your | | | | when you request a towing service to deliver the |
| houseboat. | | | | fuels and replacements parts, or fix your engine. |
| Once that's done, you can now carefully consider | | | | Additional Living Expenseyou're reimbursed for |
| which of these policy clauses can help maximize | | | | expenses incurred by living in a hotel, because |
| your coverage and accurately answer your | | | | your boat had to be repaired. |
| particular needs. | | | | Be a responsible houseboat owner. Customize |
| Hull and Machinery Clause | | | | your houseboat insurance to safeguard your |
| Because your houseboat is placed in the same | | | | personal well-being, finances, and protect your |
| pleasure boat category as a cabin cruiser, certain | | | | investment. |