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The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC

217 West Main Street,
Louisa, VA 23093

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Marine Storage Essentials and Their Effect on Your Insurance Policy

Explore marine storage essentials that can help maintain your boat’s condition. Moreover, consider updating your boat insurance policy if necessary.

Secure Storage

Storing your watercraft securely can reduce the need to file an insurance claim. The importance of keeping your boat clean and dry can’t be overstressed. Look for secure storage that allows you to monitor your watercraft closely. A marina or similar establishment may rent storage spaces to suit your needs.

Storage facilities may offer options to help keep boats clean and dry. Some facilities might even offer climate-controlled units. This kind of storage can help conserve the condition of your boat’s paint and furnishings. Hence, secure storage is vital when your boat is not in active use.

Security Aids

Security aids can help safeguard your watercraft from theft and damage. Surveillance equipment and locking systems may be included in these security aids. If you decide to employ security aids when storing your boat, make sure to document all the items used for the boat’s protection.

When updating your boat insurance policy, report the security aids you employ. The security devices you use could directly impact the coverage you require.

Additional Concerns

Keep an inventory of all the items on your boat. Some items may be more susceptible to theft. Secure electrical equipment, navigational aids, and other valuable items diligently.

Insurance Assistance in Virginia

If you need assistance with boat insurance, contact our agents at The Pivotal Insurance Agency, LLC. Serving the Louisa, VA region, our agents are well-versed in boat insurance products and coverages. An agent can modify your current boat insurance policy as promised.

Insurance Coverage for Marine Electronics

If your boat is equipped with several electronic items, ensure that your existing boat insurance policy covers them. Guaranteeing that the electronic equipment is covered will provide you with peace of mind and prevent you from needing to replace damaged or stolen marine equipment yourself.

Your Policy

Review the marine electronics coverage that your existing policy provides. A comprehensive boat insurance policy often covers navigational aids and surveillance electronics.

Common Marine Electronics

  • GPS system
  • Fish finder
  • Telecommunication materials
  •  Camera and tracking devices
  • Alarm systems

Limits and Exclusions

Your boat insurance policy will contain a section highlighting the policy limits and exclusions. The policy limits will specify the coverage cap. If your marine electronics are more valuable than the cap, you may want to purchase additional insurance coverage.

The exclusion information that is featured in your insurance policy will specify any types of marine equipment that aren’t covered by the existing policy.

Insurance Add-Ons

Research some boat insurance add-ons that will provide you with supplemental coverage. If you own several pieces of electronic equipment that aren’t covered by your existing boat insurance policy, it will be in your best interest to purchase add-on coverage that will provide the equipment with the coverage you need.

The add-on coverage may protect against wind, rain, fires, theft, vandalism, and other events that could cause damage to your marine electronics.

Agency Assistance

Contact an agent who represents The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today. An agent who serves the Louisa, VA region will determine the exact type of coverage needed for the marine electronics installed on your watercraft. They will provide you with a revised copy of your boat insurance policy.

Who needs to have boat insurance in Virginia?

In the Louisa, VA area, most people will find that owning a boat can be a good idea. If you are a boat owner in this area, you will want to know you are safe when operating it and protecting your boat as well as you can. A great way this is done today is with insurance. There are many reasons someone here may need to have a proper boat insurance plan. 

Ensure the Boat is Covered

An important reason anyone will want to have a boat insurance plan when they are in this state is so they can ensure their boat is covered. If you choose to buy a boat when you are here, a boat insurance policy is a good option as it can ensure you have support if the boat is stolen or damaged in any type of accident. This could prove to be a valuable financial resource in the future. 

Reduce Liability Risks

It is also a good idea to get a boat insurance plan if you would like to offset your liability risks. Any boat owner will take on the risk of causing an accident and damage when operating the boat. If you are properly covered with boat insurance, you will receive liability insurance that will cover damages that you could cause. 

Consult With Us

It is very important for any boat owner in the Louisa, VA area to have the right coverage to have peace of mind and protect their asset. As you are ready to begin your search for a new plan, you can call us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC to learn far more about your options. When you are looking, our team with The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC will ensure you get into a plan that properly secures your boat and offers the right protection. 

Tips to prepare your boat for a storm

In the face of an approaching storm here in the Louisa, VA area, your boat needs to be prepared in order to protect it from potential damage. Whether you have a sailboat or a powerboat, here are some tips from us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC to help you prepare your boat for the storm.

Tips to prepare your boat for a storm

1. Secure all loose items on board.

Loose items can become projectiles during a storm and cause damage to both your boat and other boats around it. Secure all lines, sails, and items on deck with extra-strength rope or bungee cords. 

2. Disconnect onboard electronics from shore power.

During a lightning strike, electricity can surge through power cords connected to the dock and ruin onboard electronics. Make sure all electrical cords are disconnected prior to the storm arriving at its location. 

3. Remove radar equipment if possible.

Radar arrays can be easily damaged by high winds and rain during a storm, so it’s best to remove them before the worst of the weather hits. 

4. Service your engine prior to the storm’s arrival.

This is in case of an emergency situation where you need to motor away from danger quickly or evacuate an area altogether. In addition, make sure that there is enough fuel stored onboard for several hours of motoring in case you need it during an emergency situation or evacuation scenario as well as checking that oil levels are appropriate for running the engine in rough weather conditions if needed. 

Keep Your Boat Insurance Updated

By following these tips, you can help protect your boat against potential damages caused by storms while ensuring that you and any passengers onboard remain safe throughout the duration of inclement weather events! For more tips about safe boating in the Louisa, VA area, call us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today.

How to Practice Boating Safety: 3 Essential Tips

For many, boating is a time to relax and enjoy the open water. However, it’s important to practice safety while out on the boat. Here are three essential tips from The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC to help you stay safe while boating around Louisa, VA this summer.

How to Practice Boating Safety:

Knowing Your Boat and Its Capabilities

If you have a deep understanding of your boat and its capabilities, you will be able to make it perform as you wish. Understanding the limits of your boat can also prevent accidents and damage to it. In addition to troubleshooting problems more efficiently, you will also be able to enjoy your time on the water more if you know how your boat works and what it is capable of.

Checking the Weather Forecast Before You Go Boating

If you plan to go boating, you should always check the weather conditions for the day before you go boating. This will allow you to be prepared for what to expect and plan accordingly, as well as prevent dangerous conditions that may endanger your boat and yourself.

Being Sober When You Boat

To operate a boat, you must be sober for many reasons. First, it is illegal to use a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Second, sobriety will help you become more aware of your surroundings and make better decisions. Third, sobriety will help you remain calm during an emergency, and last but not least, it will make your time more enjoyable on the water.

Get Boat Insurance Today

The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA offers boat insurance to protect your investment on the water. We understand the unique coverage needs of boats and other watercraft, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the protection you need at a price you can afford.

5 Myths About Watercraft Insurance

If you own a boat, it’s important to have the right insurance in place in case of an accident. However, there are a lot of myths surrounding watercraft insurance that can make it difficult to understand what coverage you need. The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA can help dispel some of the most common myths and get you the coverage to protect your investment. 

5 Myths About Watercraft Insurance

Myth 1: Watercraft Insurance Is Expensive

One of the most common myths about watercraft insurance is that it’s expensive. While the cost of coverage will vary depending on several factors, such as the type of boat you have and the amount of coverage you need, the cost of not being insured can be much higher. If you’re involved in an accident and don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for paying for the damages out of pocket.

Myth 2: Watercraft Insurance Is Only for Accidents

Another common myth about watercraft insurance is that it’s only for accidents. While it’s true that insurance can help protect you financially if you’re involved in an accident, it can also provide coverage for other types of incidents, such as theft, fire, or weather damage.

Myth 3: All Watercraft Insurance Policies Are the Same

There are various types of watercraft insurance policies available, and each one offers different coverage options. It’s important to compare policies and find one that meets your specific needs.

Myth 4: You Don’t Need Watercraft Insurance If You’re Not Financing Your Boat

Regardless of whether or not you’re financing your boat, it’s important to have insurance. If you’re involved in an accident and don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for paying for the damages out of pocket.

Myth 5: Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Will Cover Your Boat

While some homeowner’s insurance policies provide watercraft coverage, it’s typically limited to a certain dollar amount. If you have a boat, it’s important to have a separate watercraft insurance policy to ensure you’re fully protected.

Now that you know the truth about watercraft insurance, it’s time to get the coverage you need to protect your investment. The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA can help you find the right coverage for your needs. Call us today for a free quote.

What Are the Most Common Types of Boat Insurance?

Have you recently purchased a boat or other type of watercraft? If so, you’ll want to get boat insurance right away. Get assistance about the types of insurance coverage as well as other matters related to boat insurance by discussing it with an agent from The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC of the Louisa, VA area. 

Customize Your Policy

Many boat insurance policies allow you to customize it to your liking. This way, you will be able to get a policy that meets your individual needs. Even though this is the case, there are several insurance packages that may already align with what you need. 

Standard Boat Insurance 

This is a policy that is considered a step up, meaning it’s the basic level of coverage. They typically offer diminishing deductible, higher amounts of liability and property insurance, value settlement, and hurricane haul-out coverage. 

Discount Boat Insurance 

This offers you lower coverage amounts when it comes to property and limited liability insurance. It’s best for when you encounter minimal risk situations and for boat storage purposes. 

Personal Watercraft Policy 

You would use this policy if you have a smaller boat or a watercraft that’s meant for only one user. Since it matches the lower value of small watercraft, it is usually inexpensive. 

Classic Boat Policy 

This is an ideal option for insurance if you have a boat that’s over 26 years old. Use it with vintage, antique, or collector boats that you don’t use as often. 

Performance Boat Insurance 

This is best suited for boats that are equipped to go at high speeds that tend to have higher risks associated with operating them. It includes additional coverage levels such as boat lift and hoist coverage. 

Consider Your Boat Insurance Policy Options 

When you need boat insurance, look no further than The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC. Serving the greater Louisa, VA area, this agency welcomes new customers at any time. Reach out to us today to get started with the process. 

Does My Insurance Cover Other Drivers of My Boat?

You brought your friends out on a sunny day to enjoy some boating time on the water, but you don’t want to get stuck sitting behind the wheel. You think about letting one of your friends take the wheel while you enjoy kicking back for a while, but are you sure if anyone else is covered under your boating insurance policy if an incident happens while they’re navigating Louisa, VA waterways? 

The state of Virginia does not require a boat owner to carry boat insurance. They do require you to register your watercraft and get a certification of completion of a boating safety course, and some Louisa, VA marinas may require you to carry boat insurance to be able to dock. However, while boat insurance is not mandatory in Virginia, it is a safety precaution just as important as a fire extinguisher or life jacket.  

The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC offers boat insurance policies that cover liability and physical damage to your boat, yacht or commercial sailing vessel. 

Typical boat insurance coverage includes: 

  • Uninsured boater coverage  

  • Property 

  • Liability Coverage 

  • Towing  

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Other People Driving My Boat? 

While your homeowners insurance policy may cover your boat in the event that it is damaged while someone you know was operating it, the coverage doesn’t go very far. Your homeowners policy will typically cap at 10% or less than your home’s value – and provides no liability coverage for damage your boat may do to others. Generally, your homeowners policy doesn’t provide enough coverage unless your boat is slow, extremely small, or inexpensive. Your homeowners insurance will not cover liability to others or other property in the event that someone operating your watercraft is involved in an incident. 

Boat Insurance Exclusions 

While your boat insurance may cover another passenger navigating your vessel, if your child doesn’t meet the age, training, and license requirements in your state, your boat insurance policy will not cover them. For example, nobody under the age of 14 may operate a personal watercraft, regardless of your insurance coverage. 

Questions About Boat Insurance Coverage? 

We’ve got answers! Call The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today for more information about how to find the best boat insurance policy to protect yourself and your passengers while your boat is on the water, being towed, or in storage.