If you’ve been in a boat accident, you know how scary it can be, especially if you suffered any injuries and it happened in the water. Regardless of whether other boats were involved — or other people were on board — you need to know what steps to take after a boat accident.
After a Boat Accident
Although an accident is stressful, if you follow these steps, you can recover and get your boat repaired.
Get to Safety
If a boat accident has put you in a dangerous position, you must get to safety before doing anything else. Any situation involving an accident can be volatile, so if you were not already wearing a life jacket, now is the time to put one on. If it’s necessary, you shouldn’t hesitate to radio for help, too, so that you have assistance to ensure that you — and anybody who may be on board — are safe.
Check for Injuries
You should also check for any injuries that may have occurred due to the accident. As is the case with car accidents, injuries from a boating accident may not be immediately visible. You may hit your head, for example, and not realize until much later that you indeed sustained an injury. For this reason, if the boat accident was severe enough, it may be advisable to seek out medical care even if there are no apparent injuries — especially if there are visible injuries.
Document the Damage
It can be painful to look at your beloved boat, broken and damaged from the force of impact. As difficult as it may be, you must thoroughly inspect the vessel and document every instance of damage. If you’re lucky enough to have only sustained a few minor dents, you need to take photos of those areas that were damaged. If you have sustained more serious damage, however, you should thoroughly document it with photos, videos, and a written description of the damage, too. It will help you more accurately assess the cost of the damage.
Contact Your Insurance
Of course, the next step is to contact your insurer and tell them about the accident. You must file a claim to repair the damage or get reimbursement. A specialized mariner insurance policy may cover damage from a boat accident, but an umbrella insurance policy may also cover it. For more information on your policy limits and deductible, you should contact your insurer and confirm that you have coverage for any boating-related incidents.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
