Although we are focused on protecting our boats or yachts and the people in it should there be an accident, we rarely give much thought to theft and vandalism or the risk of them.  Boat insurance protects you financially in the event of damage and personal injuries.  But if your vessel is stolen or vandalized, you’ll need financial protection for these issues as well.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect your boat from these issues and help you avoid filing a claim against your boat insurance policy.  Here is some helpful advice that you should consider:

Be sure everything is secure before putting your vessel in storage – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Sound familiar? In this case, prevention means protecting your boat from theft and vandalism.  Put anything valuable below deck or in storage lockers on board.  However, if you’re storing your vessel for longer periods of time, it’s best to remove anything of value and store it in a secure location.  Be sure to lock your fuel tanks and motors and close any blinds or curtains.

Engrave your vessel – the biggest problem with criminals who steal boats is that they dispose of them quickly either by chopping them up and selling its parts or having a buyer waiting for the vessel.  You can make your boat and trailer identifiable (without the thief’s knowledge) by engraving your name or the hull ID number (HIN) in an area that is unnoticeable.  If by chance it’s stolen, you can prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the vessel is yours.

Keep your vessel secure when not in use – coverage storage in the form of a locked garage, secure boat facility, or storage unit rental is always your best option when it comes to securing your vessel.  If your only option is storing it outside, try to block it somehow and keep it out of sight so it’s less tempting to thieves and vandals.  Other options include attaching your boat trailer to something with a chain and lock as well as installing floodlights that are motion-activated and video surveillance cameras.  Most importantly, If you want to protect your vessel from thieves, you have to think like one.

Take a detailed inventory – documents about your vessel and photographs of it along with a detailed inventory or every item that’s on board right down to your life jackets, first aid kids, and even your GPS. When compiling your list of everything on board, it is important to include the make/model number of the vessel along with any other relevant details.  Furthermore, be sure you have saved any and all receipts pertaining to your vessel and any item or repair associated with it.  Keep all of this information in a safe place, preferably a safety deposit box at your bank.

Call 1-800-585-1665 today to request a quote from InsureAnyBoat.com