Does Insurance Cover Boating Accidents?
Just like a car accident, expenses in the aftermath of a boating accident can add up quickly. Although South Carolina does not require boat owners to carry insurance, having insurance can provide coverage for any damage to the boat and injuries in the event of an accident. With roughly 4,000 boating accidents per year, the wisest decision boat owners can make is to carry insurance. South Carolina offers various types of insurance options for vessels.
Our boat accident lawyers can seek insurance benefits from boat owners if you suffered injuries in a boat crash. Contact us to learn more.
Different Types of Boating Insurance in Charleston, SC
If you plan on operating a boat in Charleston, South Carolina, or the surrounding area, a boating policy can offer the following insurance coverages:
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability: If you are at fault for an accident, liability insurance will provide coverage for others’ medical bills, lost wages, and boat repairs.
- Hull and equipment coverage: This type of coverage protects vessels, ships, and attached machinery from damage or destruction caused by rough seas, storms, collisions, theft, vandalism, and other natural disasters. However, hull coverage does not cover damage caused by a failure to perform routine maintenance.
- Wreckage removal: Wreckage removal will cover the costs of removing your boat from the water if it sinks. This coverage is standard on most policies.
- Uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage: If you have sustained injuries or property damage due to another’s carelessness, you may file a UM/UIM claim if the other boat operator does not have coverage or has too little coverage.
- Fuel spills: Some insurers will pay to have fuel spills cleaned up. The amount covered will depend on your specific policy. If this coverage is included, the benefit will apply no matter how the spill occurred.
Is a Boat Owner Required to Carry Insurance in SC?
Although boating insurance is typically optional, boat owners must carry insurance if they plan to anchor their boat in State waters for 30 days or more. Under South Carolina law, the owner is required to purchase at least $100,000 of minimum liability coverage. The policy premiums must be paid in full before the policy and registration can be renewed. Failure to comply with the law can result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to 30 days and a fine of $500.
Seeking Injury Compensation
Even if a boat owner has insurance, pursuing a boat injury claim with insurance companies is challenging. You must sufficiently prove the liability of the policyholder, and insurance adjusters often use any information possible to minimize payouts or deny valid claims entirely.
A boat accident attorney understands boat insurance policies, including coverage exclusions and limitations that insurers may use to their advantage. They can identify all applicable insurance sources, from the boat owner’s policy to your own underinsured motorist coverage, maximizing your potential compensation.
Insurance companies have experienced representatives protecting their interests. Without proper representation, you’re at a significant disadvantage during negotiations. Boat accident lawyers know how to counter lowball settlement offers and calculate the actual value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
Additionally, injury claims have strict filing deadlines. Failing to meet these time-sensitive requirements can permanently bar your right to compensation. A lawyer ensures all paperwork is filed correctly and on time, protecting your legal rights while you focus on recovery.
Charleston Boat Accident Attorneys Advocating for You
It can be challenging to understand your rights after a boating accident. We know that manning a watercraft on open waters involves a great deal of responsibility, but that accidents can occur even when all safety measures have been followed. At the Law Office of Mark C. Tanenbaum, we adamantly believe that you should not be held financially accountable for another person’s lapse in judgment
If you suffered injuries in a boat crash, our Charleston boat accident lawyers are here to assist you. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or by phone at (843) 577-5100.