Get Ready for Boating Season: Essential Maintenance and Insurance Tips
With the arrival of warmer weather, boating enthusiasts are gearing up to return to the water. Whether you're an experienced boater or new to boat ownership, getting your vessel ready is crucial for a safe and enjoyable season.
From performing regular maintenance to updating your boat insurance, a bit of preparation now can help prevent headaches later.
Pre-Season Boat Maintenance Checklist
Regular upkeep is essential to keeping your boat in top shape and avoiding unexpected breakdowns once the season begins. Before launching, take the time to inspect and service key components:
Hull and Exterior Inspection: Look for cracks, dents, or signs of corrosion. Ensure the hull is clean and free of marine growth or debris.
Engine and Mechanical Systems: Check the engine, fuel lines, and other mechanical components for any wear or damage. Perform necessary maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
Safety Equipment Check: Confirm that essential safety gear, such as fire extinguishers, distress signals, and flares, are on board and in working condition. Navigation lights, horns, and other required safety devices should also be tested. Remember, each person on board must have a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device. For tips on choosing the right one for adults and children, visit Transport Canada's Choosing Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) page.
Navigation Aids Review: Ensure GPS systems, charts, and compasses are up to date and fully operational.
Electrical System Inspection: Check wiring, batteries, and lights to verify function correctly.
Why Boat Insurance is Essential
Once your boat is prepped for the season, it’s important to safeguard your investment with the right boat insurance coverage. While not legally required in Ontario, boat insurance is often necessary for docking at marinas, using storage facilities, or financing a boat purchase.
Beyond these requirements, having a policy provides valuable financial protection in the event of accidents, storms, theft, or liability claims. Repairs or replacements can be costly, and insurance ensures you're covered against unexpected losses, giving you peace of mind every time you hit the water.
Moore Hemsworth’s Marine Expertise
At Moore Hemsworth Insurance Group, we provide tailored coverage to protect your fishing boat, personal watercraft, sailboat, or motorboat from unexpected events like accidents, theft, or weather damage. Our expert team works with top insurers to find you the best protection at competitive rates. Set sail knowing you're covered—because peace of mind is the best companion on the water. Boat insurance can cover:
Third-Party Liability: This coverage will protect you if you are responsible for an at-fault boating accident and will help pay for medical expenses, repair bills and legal fees.
Property Damage: Property damage coverage will protect you if you get into a boat accident that causes property damage. If you collide with another watercraft or even a dock, you can file a property damage claim, and your insurance will help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vessel.
Rental Coverage: This protection will pay for your boat rental if your boat is being repaired or damaged and is temporarily unusable.
Replacement Coverage: This is the only type of boat insurance coverage that will pay you to repair or replace your boat if it is lost or damaged while parked. Especially recommended for any boater putting their vessel in storage.
Agreed Value Coverage: A policy in which you and the insurer agree upon the value of your boat when your policy is written. This agreed-upon amount will be paid out if your vessel is a total loss due to covered events like fire, storms, theft, etc.
Collision Coverage: If your boat is damaged in an accident, this will help pay for the repairs or replace the damaged vessel.
As you get ready for the season, take the time to review your coverage and make sure your policy aligns with your boating needs.
For more information on boating safety, visit Transport Canada’s official boating safety page. You can also download the Discover Boating app on your smartphone for key boating rules, guidelines and best practices to help you and your family stay safe on the water.
Have questions or need a quote? Call our Dublin office at 519-345-2512, our Listowel office at 519-291-3920, or email mhins@mhins.ca. You can also visit our Boat Insurance page to learn more.