How to Make a Boat Insurance Claim

A blown engine, a bent propeller, or a collision with another watercraft’s dock that leaves you stranded may quickly turn your fun out on the waters into a very frustrating situation. Linda Dugan Insurance provides various types of boat insurance coverage options in Astoria, OR and understands that you will want to get your claim settled as quickly as possible. If you find yourself in a watercraft accident:

  • Stop your watercraft and switch off its engine.
  • Confirm that all passengers are wearing life jackets, and then proceed to check whether anyone has been injured.
  • If the boat is flooding or sinking, ensure you turn on the bilge pumping system if the boat has one. Try to keep the boat afloat by using the manual bilge pumps.
  • Summon help using the emergency signals.
  • Where possible assist all the other passengers.
  • Exchange information with any other parties that were involved in the collision.
  • Ensure you take pictures so as to document the damages. You will need the pictures when making your claim.

How to Make a Boat Claim

You can start a claim by contacting or visiting your insurance provider’s offices. When getting in touch, ensure that you have your name, phone number, address, and policy number in handy. An insurance representative will collect all the necessary information and then review the coverage provided in your insurance policy. The agent will then provide you with information pertaining to your deductibles. You will also be taken through the claims process by the agent.

Claims Settlement and Closure

Minor claims are often handled over the phone or email and payments made immediately where possible. But depending on the level of damage, an insurance representative may have to inspect the vessel to determine the extent of the damages. A detailed estimate will then be provided.

Once the damages have been estimated, final payment will be made based on the terms of service. Any deductibles that you are responsible for will be subtracted before payment can be made. Amount sent to you is often based on the kind of coverage you have, as well as the damages that were sustained.

If you have any further questions on how to make a boat insurance claim in Astoria, OR, visit or call our Linda Dugan Insurance offices, and our boat insurance agents will be more than happy to serve you.

Tips for Buying Boat Insurance

Whether you want to buy a watercraft or you’re a current boat owner, there is a need to ensure that your legal liability and personal property obligations are well protected in the event that you get into a boating accident. Although no one wants to think that a watercraft or boating accident may happen to them, the truth is that thousands of boating accidents are reported in the United States each year. Practicing boating safety often assists in reducing the number of accidents, but it is always best to ensure that your asset is protected by boat insurance. Linda Dugan Insurance provides different boat insurance options in Astoria, OR.

Tips for Buying the Right Boat Insurance

Here are some tips to help you choose the right boat insurance for your watercraft:

Know Your Insurer

You can add boat insurance to the homeowner’s policy that you acquired from an independent insurer. You could also choose to get it from a marine insurance specialist. As a new boat owner, the best way to go will be to purchase your policy directly from a reputable agency or from a boat insurance specialist. Choosing to add on to your existing homeowner policy may be convenient, but it could be limited because such a policy will not provide marine-related coverage like wreck removal.

Get the Truth on Salvage

In the event that you get involved in an accident and the watercraft has to be salvaged, you need to make sure that the policy provides 100 percent coverage for salvage. If the policy covers less than this, it means that you will need to pay out of pocket to cover the extra costs. Unfortunately, many insurers tend to limit the salvage coverage to a certain percentage of what the boat is currently worth. Be sure to get the facts in advance.

If you have any questions pertaining to boat insurance, feel free to call or visit Linda Dugan Insurance that serves Astoria, OR and the surrounding areas.