What is the Difference between Third Party Liability and Full Coverage Insurance?

Insurance can be very confusing for those of usstate.
who are not in the insurance business.Full coverage insurance, on the other hand, will
Often, our insurance agents start babbling aboutcover you, your boat, your motor, your trailer,
liability, comprehensive coverage, third partyand your passengers.
liability, and more - and we feel like they areIt is often referred to as comprehensive
speaking a language we have never heard before.insurance, and it is available in different coverage
Well - in a sense they are.amounts, with different options that are available
Again, it is very confusing to those who are not infor the policy. This type of insurance will be
the insurance business. Unfortunately, if you arerequired by most lenders who finance boats, and
to get the coverage that you need, at a pricemost lenders will have their own requirements as
you can afford, you must start learning some ofto which optional insurance is purchased.
the terminology.Essentially, what it comes down to is that third
For instance, many people do not understandparty liability insurance coverage protects other
what the difference between third party liabilitypeople and their property in the event of an
insurance and full coverage insurance is. Thirdaccident that is your fault, while full coverage
party liability coverage and full coverage insuranceinsurance protects you and your property - in the
are much the same, but in other ways they aresame way that the third party insurance protects
uniquely different. Before you determine whichothers.
one you need, it is important to understandIn fact, full coverage insurance will cover you
exactly what each type of coverage is.whether the accident was your fault, someone
Third Party Liability Coverage is essentiallyelse's fault, or even no-fault. In most cases, it is in
coverage that protects you in the event of anyour best interest to have both third party liability
accident that is your fault.insurance coverage - which is required - as well as
It generally covers other people and theirfull coverage insurance - which may be required if
property that is damaged in a covered accident. Ityou have financed your boat.
does not cover you, your passengers, your boat,Again, even if the boat has not been financed,
your motor, or your trailer. Furthermore, thirdyou should strongly consider purchasing a full
party liability coverage only goes into effect ifcoverage or comprehensive policy. Many people
your boat is in an accident that occurred wheneven continue to carry the full coverage policy
the boat was being used in a private capacity, aslong after the boat has been paid off.
opposed to a commercial capacity.Boat repairs are expensive, and anything can
Third party liability coverage is required by mosthappen.
states, and each state will have its ownMost full coverage policies will cover you in the
requirements as to the minimum liability coverageevent of mechanical failure, theft, and vandalism,
amounts that you have.as well as losses caused by storms, fires,
This type of insurance is generally requiredexplosions, sinking, and much more. Talk with your
whether your boat is financed or not. Third partyinsurance agent to find out about the different
liability insurance coverage is often simply referredoptions available for full coverage policies, and
to as liability insurance, or in the case of boats,make sure that you get the coverage that you
watercraft liability insurance. Talk to your agent toneed!
find out how much coverage is required in yourCopyRight Ian D. Major 2005.