Boat Insurance for Hermitage Boaters on Percy Priest and Beyond

Tennessee doesn’t generally require boat insurance by law, but a lender, a marina or a storage facility may. Even without a requirement, liability coverage matters if you hit another boat, a dock or a swimmer.

Some homeowners policies give very limited coverage to small boats, often with low limits and little or no liability on the water. A separate boat policy is usually the better fit for anything with a real motor. Let’s look at your policy.

Your auto policy generally handles liability for the truck while towing. Damage to the boat and trailer usually falls under the boat policy, depending on its terms. I’ll make sure the two fit together.

With agreed value, you and the insurer set the boat’s value when the policy starts, and a covered total loss is paid on that amount, minus any deductible. Actual cash value accounts for depreciation, so the payout can drop as the boat ages. Availability depends on the insurer.

TWRA requires a boating education certificate for many operators born after January 1, 1989 who run motorized boats above a certain horsepower. Check TWRA’s rules for your situation, and let me know who will be driving.

Liability for people you tow behind the boat may be covered, but some policies limit or exclude towed water sports. Tell me if your crew tubes or skis so we can choose the right policy.

Storm and wind damage is often a covered peril, subject to your deductible and the policy terms. Where and how you store the boat can affect coverage and pricing, so we’ll go over that too.

Yes. Personal watercraft can usually be insured on their own policy or alongside a boat, depending on the insurer.

The year, make, model, length and motor horsepower, where you store it, who operates it and any boating education certificates. Then call 615-562-5100 or use the form.