For more than 55 years, Pepper, Johnstone & Company has been trusted with insuring families and businesses. We partner with 60+ insurance companies so that you can consider options that provide the most appropriate protection.
Boat & Watercraft Insurance Coverage
from Pepper, Johnstone & Company
At Pepper, Johnstone & Company, we specialize in providing peace of mind for your time on the water through our comprehensive boat insurance options. We offer competitive rates for boat insurance, ensuring you receive high-quality coverage without overspending. Safeguard yourself, your loved ones, watercraft, and boating equipment with our tailored coverage. Marine insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect boats, engines, and related equipment. Our average boat insurance costs are less than a dollar a day, ensuring affordable protection for your investment. The cost of boat insurance can be influenced by factors such as the cost of the boat, type, and usage. Enjoy worry-free moments on the water, knowing that your safety, your passengers, and your assets are all covered. Boat insurance cost is determined by several key factors, and you can get a quote tailored to your needs for maximum affordability. Get started with Boat Insurance Quotes that prioritize your security and peace of mind.
We can customize a plan to fit your needs. Contact us today to find out how to get the best boat insurance coverage for you.
Full Coverage policies generally include liability coverage:
Pepper, Johnstone & Company works to bring boaters the right insurance coverage for their needs, offering a variety of policy options to customize their coverage. Our policies are designed to protect your boat and personal assets and ensure you are properly protected with comprehensive coverages and discounts.
- Navigational Area - Gain clarity on your water coverage with policies from the insurance companies we represent, including Geico Marine and Geico Marine Insurance Company, which offer specialized marine insurance. Covering up to 75 miles from the U.S. coastline, Canadian coastal or inland waters, and the Pacific coastal waters of Mexico, additional coverage areas are available in California, Florida, and Oregon. Policy options are available for all boat types and watercraft, including personal watercraft, jet skis, Sea-Doos, pontoon boats, and other watercraft. Pepper, Johnstone & Company collaborates with diverse insurance companies to offer customized boat coverage, ensuring the right rate for your unique needs.
- Agreed Value Coverage - Recognizes the depreciation challenge faced by watercraft, akin to automobiles. Avoid complications with Actual Cash Value policies when replacing a stolen or destroyed boat. In the event of a total loss, properly protected boats are covered for the insured value minus any deductible, with actual cash value and agreed hull value both available as settlement options. Replacement cost coverage is also an option for newer boats, allowing you to insure your boat for agreed hull value or replacement cost. A higher deductible can reduce premiums but increase out-of-pocket costs. Automatically covered and automatically included features make the policy hassle-free, and a disappearing deductible may be available to reward claim-free years.
- Liability - Similar to auto insurance, our personal liability coverage extends protection to fellow boaters and boat owners when you are at fault for a water accident. Covering property damage, medical care, lost wages, and associated costs, it offers financial security in boating incidents. Many insurance agents recommend carrying at least $300,000 in liability coverage. If you accidentally injure someone or cause property damage, your policy provides coverage for damage to third-party personal property. Coverage extends to claims and the process of filing a claim in the event of an accident, and your claims history can impact premiums and coverage options. Protecting your boat and personal assets is a key benefit of liability coverage.
- Medical Payments - Ensure financial stability with Medical Payments coverage, addressing the cost of necessary care resulting from a boating accident. With coverage ranging from $500 to $10,000, it encompasses you, your passengers, and even water skiers/tubers, irrespective of fault. Coverage applies to injuries sustained during boating accidents.
- Physical Damage Coverage - Safeguard your investment with Physical Damage Coverage, covering repair or replacement costs for your watercraft, its motor, attached equipment, and trailer in case of theft or damage. This property coverage helps pay for repair or replacement after covered losses. These policies provide coverage for a wide range of risks, including theft, fire, accidental damage, and fuel spills, and boat insurance covers theft coverage is included in standard policies. Protect your boat from damage and loss with comprehensive coverage. Deductibles apply to covered losses, and claims for damage to your boat are processed quickly and efficiently. This coverage helps ensure your boat is protected and provides coverage for a variety of risks.
- Mechanical Breakdown Coverage - Optional mechanical breakdown coverage is available for engine and outdrive repairs due to mechanical failure. This add-on protects against repairs caused by wear and tear or defects, which are typically excluded from standard policies. Coverage may also extend to damages resulting from issues handled by a professional repair facility.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Watercraft Bodily Injury - Given the optional nature of boat insurance, our coverage steps in if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured boater, covering medical treatment, lost wages, and associated costs. This applies to insured watercraft and insured boats, ensuring you are protected even when others are not adequately insured.
- Fuel Spill Liability and Wreckage Removal - In the event of a boat sinking or serious damage, potential oil or fuel leaks mandate cleanup. As the boat’s owner, comply with legal obligations efficiently, though it can be time-consuming and expensive. Wreck removal is a covered service under our policies.
- Personal Effects - Customize your boat insurance policy to include coverage for various personal effects like clothing, jewelry, cell phones, scuba/snorkeling, and sporting and fishing equipment. Personal effects and fishing gear are automatically covered up to policy limits, and fishing gear is automatically included as covered property, with options for higher limits. Coverages for personal effects, fishing gear, and unattached equipment are available. Boat insurance discounts are available for experienced boaters, and your boating experience may also help lower premiums. Cell phones and other personal items are covered under the policy. Note that personal effects coverage excludes jewelry, watches, or furs. State-specific limits apply; contact us for detailed information.
- Unattached Equipment Coverage - Ensure comprehensive protection with coverage for equipment not permanently attached to your boat, designed primarily for boat use. Covered property includes unattached equipment and personal effects, and certain items are automatically included in the policy. This encompasses items like lifesaving equipment, water skis, anchors, oars, fire extinguishers, tarps, etc. Insured watercraft and insured boats are protected under the policy.
- Emergency Assistance - Benefit from our Emergency Assistance Package, encompassing coverage for towing, labor, and delivery of essential supplies if your watercraft becomes disabled. Emergency towing and other emergency services are automatically included in the package, and emergency services are available for breakdowns and towing. If you need boat insurance, this coverage is essential for all boaters. Reach out for a detailed boat insurance quote and connect with a dedicated boat insurance agent offering full coverage options tailored to your needs, including trailer coverage where available.
- Multi-Policy Discounts - Take advantage of multi-policy discounts by bundling your boat insurance with auto or other marine policies. This can provide significant savings and make your insurance more affordable, but homeowners insurance alone often provides only limited protection for boats.
With Pepper, Johnstone & Company, you can be confident that your insured boat, personal watercraft, and covered property are protected with the right insurance coverage, bringing boaters peace of mind on the water through all seasons, including the winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Boat Insurance Coverage & Cost
Alabama does not legally require boat insurance for recreational boat owners. However, some marinas may require proof of liability insurance before allowing a boat to dock, and lenders may require coverage when a boat is financed. Requirements can therefore depend on the marina, lender, and specific circumstances.
Boat coverage can provide several types of protection depending on the policy. Collision coverage can help pay for repairs after a covered accident involving another vessel or object, while comprehensive coverage can protect against non-collision risks such as theft or fire. Some policies also offer actual cash value coverage, which pays based on the boat's depreciated value after a covered loss. Depending on the policy, coverage may also help cover boats against theft, damage, and other covered risks.
Many boat insurance policies offer towing and emergency on-water assistance. This coverage can help with situations such as a mechanical breakdown or needing fuel delivered while on the water, helping boaters handle unexpected problems away from shore. Depending on the policy, assistance may also help with certain situations involving boat trailers. Trailer coverage is not always automatic, so review your policy details carefully.
Uninsured or underinsured boater coverage can provide protection when you are involved in an accident with a boater who has no insurance or does not have enough coverage. This coverage can help address certain losses resulting from an accident with an inadequately insured operator.
Boat insurance can cover a range of recreational watercraft, including a fishing boat, depending on the insurer and policy. Coverage may be available for boats such as sailboats, yachts, cruisers, cabin cruisers, and personal watercraft such as jet skis; some insurers, such as State Farm, insure sailboats, jet skis, and cabin cruisers.
Yes, lenders may require insurance when financing a boat. In addition to liability coverage, lenders commonly require physical damage coverage to protect the financed vessel against covered losses. The exact requirements depend on the lender and financing agreement.
Some insurers offer discounts based on factors such as completing an approved boating safety course, maintaining a claim-free history, or meeting specific policy requirements. Bundling boat insurance with other insurance policies may also provide additional savings with certain insurers.
Boat insurance can be particularly useful for boaters using Alabama waterways such as Wheeler Lake and the Tennessee River. The appropriate coverage can help address risks associated with accidents, property damage, theft, and other covered incidents that may occur while operating or storing a boat. Optional freezing coverage may also be worth considering when a boat is stored or inactive during colder periods.
What do people think about us?
Hear from some actual clients.
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We recently switched our home and auto policies to Pepper, Johnstone & Co and have had a great experience. Their entire team is not only knowledgeable but down to earth and willing to share their time, tips and creative ideas. They’ve helped us to achieve to comprehensive protection at the lowest possible cost. I would recommend Pepper, Johnstone and Co to anyone.
— J.W. E.
on Google
I am always pleased with the gracious and prompt responses to my insurance inquiries, to my specific insurance needs regarding several policies with Pepper, Johnstone & Company. The staff, especially Lauren Hart, makes every effort to take care of my insurance needs, addressing many concerns. I could not be more pleased and feel more secure knowing these folks are taking care of business for me and in my best interest.
— Teresa H.
on Google
Pepper Johnstone has handled my personal and business insurance needs for years. They do good work and their staff is amazing! They are independent agents so they have access to several different lines of insurance to meet the needs of their clients. I highly recommend them.
— Jeremiah H.
on Google
This is a great company to work with! Casandra did an excellent job making sure my claim was completed in a timely manner. Julie is always there to help me any time I need to make changes to my insurance needs. The staff is always professional to work with. I trust Pepper, Johnstone & Company with all my insurance needs and have for many years.
— Janet F.
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I started a company in January 2019 & the team at Pepper Johnstone helped me from the beginning. We serve mid-cap to large public companies in Alabama, Colorado and Texas. And, Bryan has been critical in helping us meet and maintain the required commercial insurance policies and coverage levels. Key reasons that I've been so pleased primarily include their high level of technical competence and timely responsiveness on new or changing insurance coverage requests. They do a great job & I can highly recommend them.
— Russ L.
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I have dealt with Pepper Johnstone and company in the past and have always had a good experience. This past week I needed a policy, I called Julie and she efficiently, and promptly quoted and bound coverage on the property. I would highly recommend Pepper Johnstone.
— Sharon K.