Whether you will use your boat at your cottage and store it there or travel with it frequently, it is important to be prepared to do all of this with safety and care in mind. If storing it at your home when not in use, it is best to first make sure that there are no restrictions against this in your neighbourhood.

Additionally, in the off season, where will your store it? If you plan to store it in your garage, you want to factor in if you have the required space, and proper environment to keep it protected with the colder winter elements. If, instead, you will store it elsewhere for the remaining months, ensuring its safety and protection, as well as any additional fees are pre-planned out in advance.

Reading towing, be sure you have the proper trailer as well as a trailer hitch that is strong enough to keep the trailer securely fastened while on the move. On top of having these features in place, you will also need to make sure that the vehicle you plan to tow with, is powerful enough to do job.

As a boat owner and operator, you will also need to have the proper documentation in place before use. For example, you will need to have the following: proof of ownership, boating licence, boat registration and inspection records.

Keeping these documents on had at all times important as you may be required to show them to boating safety and/or other authorities. In addition to these, you will want to have an insurance policy that meets your boat ownership needs. More on this coming up!

Before you head out on your boat and even as you tow it from one place to another, it is necessary to prepare your boat safety checklist.

The following items should be a top priority: safety approved life jackets (one for each passenger), a bucket to bail out water, oars, a heavy duty rope, and a flashlight. Depending on your type of boat, different safety equipment will be required, so it is important to look into this beforehand.

Other safety equipment will likely include: flares and fire extinguishers, a horn or whistle, a first aid kit, and an operational bilge pump. Before you head out, be sure to acquire all of the specific items you need to include in your boat safety checklist.

As a boat owner, whether you are storing, transporting or operating your boat, having the proper insurance in place, while not mandatory in Canada, is certainly worth looking into as it can help considerably when it comes to protecting this financial investment.

If you are travelling with your boat, then having having road or ‘water’ side assistance is important. Coverage of this area typically includes, costs associated with flat tires, jump starts and fuel delivery.  While boat coverage can also be similar to car insurance, there are aspects that are unique to boats that can help ensure you are protected in a variety of ways.

At Risk Coverage:

At Risk coverage includes a range of circumstances that have lead to your boat becoming damaged. For example, damage related to theft and vandalism, fire and other accidents that have occurred during operation or storage of your boat. Coverage can also be included, in the event your boat sinks and needs to be recovered.

Liability Coverage:

This coverage will help to protect you from instances associated with damage to other persons or their property, as a result of your boat and/or your actions. Since legal issues can arise from situations like these, liability coverage can be extremely beneficial when it comes to these lofty expenses.

Add-on Coverage:

You may also want to factor in some extra coverage if you plan to travel far away from the shore, and especially if travelling beyond Canadian waterways. Additionally, if you are storing or operating your boat in regions with frequent hurricanes, then special coverage may also be worth considering.

Since insurance coverage also spans across a wide range of boat types, including paddle boats, pontoons, fishing boats, and even yachts, you will need to opt for the coverage that best suits your needs. Fortunately, speaking with an insurance agent can help you decide which type of coverage is right for you.

Contact Leaders Insurance for more information on how we can help you protect your boat, so that you can enjoy yourself even more while out navigating the waterways.