Unfortunately, boating accidents are very common. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 5,265 boating accidents in 2020 alone. These accidents resulted in 767 fatalities and 3,191 injuries. Without a doubt, these numbers are significant.
Like with any other vehicle, it is important to have insurance coverage. Primarily, having the necessary coverage make sure that you’re financially protected if you are ever found liable for the harm that someone else suffers. Of course, liability coverage is important, but uninsured and underinsured coverage is just as important.
If you were injured in a boating accident but the liable party was uninsured or underinsured, you might have many questions about the options available to you and whether you could file a claim with your own insurance policy. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need. Our experts are ready to answer all of your questions and provide you with all the information that you need to file your claim with confidence and fight for your rights. If you are ready to speak with the experts here at our law firm, contact us today.
What is Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage?
Do you have uninsured/underinsured boater (UB/UIB) coverage? Underinsured and Uninsured boater coverage is essential, as parties liable for boat accidents often don’t have enough coverage or any coverage at all. Being in an accident where there is not enough insurance or any insurance at all is can definitely be a major issue. If you have uninsured and underinsured coverage, then you likely have nothing to worry about – as your policy will cover your accident. If you do not carry uninsured and underinsured coverage, you could quickly find yourself in a difficult situation.
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Can I File an Injury Claim against My Own Carrier?
You were injured in a boating accident, but the liable person does not have enough coverage or does not coverage at all. Now, what? You might be asking yourself, can I file an accident claim against my own insurance carrier? Yes – you could definitely file an injury claim with your own insurance policy, given that you have coverage for underinsured and uninsured boaters.
What are my limits? You will have to look at the terms of your policy for the answer to this question – after all, every insurance policy is different, and most policies allow parties to choose the coverage that most fits their needs.
Without a doubt, the language in insurance policies is often complex and it can be unclear what your policy covers. If you are unsure about whether you have UB/UIB coverage or have questions about policy limits, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible.
Average UB/UIB Insurance Coverages
Boat insurance varies based on the size of the vessel. Below, you will find the standard coverage based on the size of the boat:
- Small boats (29’ or less) – between $300,000 and $500,000 UB
- Large boats (over 29’) – $500,000 UB
These are average coverages. Of course, your specific coverage can vary. Do not make assumptions about your coverage based on these averages. For specific information regarding your policy, you should look at your insurance documents. If you need assistance making sense of your insurance documents, you should speak with an experienced boating accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What Insurance Companies Offer Boat Insurance?
There are many companies that offer boat insurance. Currently, the best insurance companies include the following:
- Allstate
- Progressive
- Nationwide
- Foremost
- Markel
Other insurance companies that offer boat insurance include the following:
- State Farm
- United Marine Underwriters
- Geico
- BoatUS
- Chubb
Ultimately, the best insurance company for you will be based on your specific insurance needs. Some might offer better coverage, while others might entirely exclude the type of boat that you are trying to insure.
Do I Need Boat Insurance?
Most states do not require boat insurance. You should not opt out of boat insurance simply because it is not required by your state. In fact, considering the price of boats and the severity of boat incidents (including crashes and other incidents), it is actually a bigger risk not to have insurance coverage – after all, boat insurance tends to be relatively inexpensive, especially when bundled with other policies.
What are the Most Common Types of Boat Accident?
The most common cause of boating accident, which unfortunately also results in the most deaths, is falls overboard. This is when boat passengers or boat operators fall off the boat. Other common accidents include capsizing (when the boat overturns), collisions with fixed objects, and collisions with other boats, for example. These incidents can be caused by improper lookout, the inexperience of the boat operator (some states do not require operators to have insurance), general recklessness (including speeding, using drugs/alcohol while operating the boat, and mechanical issues with the boat, for instance).
Possible Boat Accident Injuries
Without a doubt, boat accidents can result in a number of injuries. These injuries can include the following:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries and back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hip injuries
- Knee injuries
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations
- Scrapes and bruises
- Drowning injuries (including respiratory issues)
Of course, boat accidents can have potentially devastating consequences. These incidents are also likely to be fatal. Regardless of the specific harm that you or a loved one suffered in a boating accident, it is essential that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible, as you could have grounds to file an insurance claim and get a hefty recovery.
What Should I Do after a Boating Accident?
If you or a loved one suffered a boating accident, you should do the following:
- Seek medical attention as soon as you are able to do so, making sure to gather all relevant medica records
- Take photos of all your injuries
- Take photos of the scene of the accident (and, if possible, of the hazard that caused the incident)
- Exchange insurance information with the other parties involved
- Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information
- File your insurance claim
- Gather records of lost income related to the harm suffered in the accident
- Seek legal assistance with an experienced boating accident lawyer as soon as possible
Without a doubt, it can be very difficult to figure out what to do next after experiencing a traumatic accident. Here at our law firm, we are ready to guide you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to reach out to the experts at our firm for more information about what you should do next.
What if the Insurance Company Doesn’t want to Pay for my Boat Accident Claim?
Whether you are filing an injury claim against the liable party’s boat insurance policy or against your own uninsured or underinsured boat policy, the insurance company can refuse to payout. Although there are valid reasons for insurance companies denying injury claims, if your accident should be covered, then the insurance company could be practicing bad faith. Insurance bad faith occurs when the insurance company fails to manage claims fairly to avoid paying out on claims. Denying claims and making lowball settlement offers can both be attributed to bad faith. You can actually sue the insurance company for bad faith specifically.
Do I Need Legal Help with my Boating Accident Claim?
Although it is possible for claimants to handle insurance claims for boating accidents on their own, it is not really recommended. With the help of an expert boating accident lawyer, your insurance claim is likely to be taken seriously from the start. Additionally, an experienced lawyer will be able to keep things moving promptly. Also, a lawyer will be able to negotiate the best settlement available for your boat accident injury claim.
What if I am filing a bad faith claim? If you are suing the insurance company for bad faith, it is even more important that you have legal representation. Do not hesitate to reach out to an expert legal team with experience in insurance bad faith claims.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm Today
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our expert attorneys are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need. Our experts have experience in boating accident injury claims and are ready to help you. In addition, our lawyers also have experience in insurance bad faith claims; our lawyers are not afraid to take on any insurance company to ensure that you get the payout that you are owed. We are proud to offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and address all of your concerns; you can trust that our boat accident lawyers will provide you with the information and guidance that you need to pursue your claim. If you would like to benefit from these free legal services, contact the experts at our law firm immediately.
Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients will not have to worry about paying upfront legal costs. In addition, because we work on a strict contingency structure, our clients will not have to pay anything until they win their claims. If you do not win, you simply will not be responsible for covering legal costs.
If you are ready to speak with our attorneys, contact us at your earliest convenience.
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