Florida Boating Laws
Victims who suffer damages from a serious boat crash are often left with debilitating injuries and hefty medical expenses that may accumulate during the recovery process. Depending on the details of the accident, boat owners may be held liable for a maritime injury in the event of a crash. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is responsible for enforcing boating safety laws throughout the state. Although boat owners in Florida are not required by law to carry insurance for their vessel, it is definitely a good idea to have enough coverage. Standard liability coverage provides protection against physical damage to your boat, passengers, and certain items on board. In addition, this type of coverage will also protect you if another boat is damaged in a crash or you cause damage to a dock or pier. Standard policies can range from $100,000 in $1,000,000 in coverage, depending on how much you choose to purchase. Having this coverage also means you are protected in cases involving theft, fire, or storm damage. However, similar to auto insurance, standard liability coverage does not provide these protections if you let someone borrow your boat. In other words, if you loan your boat out to someone and they are involved in a collision, you could be held liable for the damages in court. If this is the case, you will want to discuss your situation with a trusted attorney who has experience handling maritime accident cases.The Importance of Having Additional Coverage
Sometimes having standard liability coverage may not be enough in the event of a serious boat crash. A severe maritime injury could result in expensive medical costs and lost wages if the victim cannot return to work. To make the situation worse, costly boat repairs or replacing your vessel entirely, may leave you having to pay the difference out-of-pocket. This is why our lawyers recommend purchasing as much additional coverage as you can reasonably afford. Although umbrella coverage is optional, we suggest adding it to your policy, especially if you plan to let other people borrow the vessel. This type of coverage will provide protection for yourself and others, should you choose to lend your boat to someone who may not be included in your policy. Another added benefit to owning an umbrella policy is the fact that some policies may include coverage for other recreational vehicles, such as boat trailers and ATV’s. Even though purchasing this coverage may significantly increase your monthly insurance payment, the benefits far outweigh the risks.Boaters Who Sign Liability Waivers
Boating is one of the biggest attractions in Palm Beach Gardens and throughout the Sunshine State. Therefore, the boat rental business can be lucrative for many vessel owners. However, many owners often require renters to sign a waiver of liability before handing over the keys. This means the boat owner may not be liable for any damages sustained by the renter and his or her party, should an accident occur. However, for the waiver to be enforceable, it must meet two important requirements:- The waiver must unquestionably state the rights that are being waived.
- The waiver must be written clearly enough for an ordinary person to understand the rights that are being waived.
