| Most people consider boat insurance a necessity and | | | | they move and maneuver much quicker than a boat |
| are quick to put a policy in place when acquiring a | | | | and the companies that produce these toys are |
| boat. But, how many of you out there have even | | | | always looking for ways to make them go faster. |
| thought of insurance coverage for your personal | | | | This is part of their allure. Speed is what encourages |
| watercraft (PWC)? The truth is that most automobile | | | | most people to buy them, but speed is also a killer. |
| policies will cover your jet ski when it is being towed, | | | | Just as in the case of automobiles, the speed of the |
| so the mind set tends to be that additional coverage | | | | craft has been shown to contribute to not only more |
| is not needed. | | | | accidents but to more dramatic injuries and fatalities. |
| Yes it is! Each year there are dozens of accidents | | | | Finally, there is little regulation as to who can operate |
| involving personal watercraft such as Jet Skis, | | | | a PWC. Young people are at the heart of the |
| WaveRunners or Sea-Doos. Education has caused a | | | | majority of accidents. Putting a teenager or someone |
| continual decline in accidents over the last few years, | | | | younger on a PWC is similar to putting them on a |
| but the hard truth is that 24% of boating accidents | | | | motorcycle. Water gives a false sense of security |
| in 2006 involved personal watercraft as reported by | | | | and safety, when facts show that hitting water at |
| the U.S. Coast Guard. The reality is that the reporting | | | | 30 mph with your head can be just as deadly as |
| agencies and the manner of reporting differ from | | | | hitting the pavement. The difference is that on water |
| state to state and even from lake to lake, so there | | | | you are liable to drown when unconscious, something |
| is no way to definitively capture the exact numbers. | | | | you won't do if on pavement. And yet, how often |
| A study done in California though confirmed the U.S. | | | | do you see someone wearing a life vest or helmet or |
| Coast Guard numbers by reporting that personal | | | | both when driving a PWC? |
| watercraft accounted for 18% of registered | | | | So, don't find yourself on the receiving end of a |
| watercraft but were involved in 24% of the | | | | lawsuit or facing financially devastating medical bills |
| watercraft accidents. Those figures indicate that | | | | without having adequate coverage for any PWC |
| PWC are much more dangerous than their larger and | | | | operators within your control. Be proactive in |
| more stable counterparts. | | | | establishing safety rules, regardless of the lack of |
| The reasons for this are quite obvious. First, they are | | | | legislation. An accident can bring a quick end to |
| smaller than the average boat. They are made to | | | | summer fun so do what you can to prevent it; if an |
| hold 1-4 people, with the majority of them only | | | | accident does happen, not having insurance will only |
| holding two. They are not easy to see. Secondly, | | | | compound its affect. |