BATEAU
Assurance bateau au Québec
Pontons, bateaux moteur, motomarines, voiliers : couverture adaptée.
Adequately cover your personal watercraft or boat
For boat and personal watercraft owners who are looking forward to the good weather, they can take advantage of the low season to find out about the appropriate insurance for this type of recreational vehicle in order to benefit from appropriate protection.
According to the Quebec Maritime Association, the province has more than 860,000 pleasure boat owners, or one in ten Quebecers who own a boat.
The popularity of such a hobby is not always accompanied by coverage, since insurance remains optional and is not a legal obligation.
Et pourtant, ce type de véhicule récréatif a une valeur intrinsèque élevée et il n’est pas à l’abri des différents sinistres comme le vol, l’incendie, les accidents de navigation, le bris, le vandalisme, etc. Il est donc primordial d’assurer un tel bien. Quant au montant investi dans un bateau neuf, il dépend de la taille du modèle et des fonctionnalités dont il est doté. La valeur de certaines embarcations peut franchir la barre d’un million de dollars canadiens.
How do I insure a boat or personal watercraft?
Plusieurs éléments sont pris en compte pour l’assurance de ce type de véhicule, notamment le type de l’embarcation, sa longueur, sa puissance et la fréquence de son utilisation. Il est possible d’affecter l’embarcation à l’assurance habitation, mais dans certains cas seulement, alors que de manière générale, il faut penser à la souscription d’une protection spécialisée. Pour savoir laquelle choisir entre ces deux options, il convient d’en parler avec son agent ou courtier d’assurance de dommages.
Check the coverage of the insurance contract
Un propriétaire prend grand soin de son bateau ou motomarine, en s’assurant régulièrement de son état général et du matériel de navigation. Il doit faire de même pour les garanties et les clauses composant sa police d’assurance, notamment la partie relative aux limitations et aux exclusions.
Insurance contracts cover motorization and sails, but it is necessary to check that the policy also insures navigation and communication devices, as well as other on-board materials and equipment. It is also necessary to check whether the cover is valid both when the boat is afloat and if it is stored on land, without neglecting the conditions associated with this cover. It is better to check at the same time whether the transport on the route of the boat is provided or not.
The owner of the boat must also find out about the possible options in case of damage to the boat. Indeed, he must ensure that he is entitled to rent another with the same characteristics during the repairs. Similarly, he must find out about compensation for towing or fuel delivery costs in the event of running out of fuel during navigation.
La couverture du bateau est valide pendant la saison hivernale et ce pour la majorité des polices d’assurance, qui prévoient l’entreposage pendant la période de désarmement ou d’hivernage entre le 30 novembre et le 1er avril.
The storage of the boat depends mainly on the type of boat. It can be done on a trailer in the yard of the owner’s home, in a warehouse or in a marina when it comes to a large model. The risks to a boat stored in a yard are different from those of a boat wintered in a warehouse. In the first case, the boat may be stolen or exposed to the fall of a branch that could damage it. While in the second case, the boat can be damaged by rodents or fire. Therefore, it is necessary to check the various clauses and guarantees of the insurance policy.
Several elements are taken into account when it comes to coverage, including the destination. The usual places of navigation are inland and coastal waters within 100 nautical miles of Canada and the United States, located between 52° and 40° north latitude. These are the Ottawa River, the lakes and rivers between Quebec and Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, the inland waters of New Brunswick, the inland waters of Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island as far as New York, with the exception of the Hudson River and the harbour. The perimeter also includes the west coast of Canada and the United States, west of 120° west longitude. To navigate outside this area, you have to think about extending the coverage beyond the territorial limits.
On the other hand, Quebec marinas, locks and government wharves require liability insurance to be worth more than two million Canadian dollars. In the event of non-compliance with this requirement, it is possible to be denied access to the facilities. It is essential that the owner decides in advance which infrastructure to use to be sure that it would be possible to use them or not.
Protection for your boat or personal watercraft
The insurance takes into account the prevention against theft. There are certain ways to significantly reduce the risk involved. These include the installation of anti-theft nuts on the engine foot, the installation of a specialized padlock to neutralize the boat’s tow hand, the marking of certain parts of the boat and the installation of a boat tracking system. If the owner does not comply with the requirements imposed by the insurer, this can lead to an increase in the insurance premium or the non-coverage of certain cases of theft.
Pour conclure, avant de larguer les amarres, il faut consulter l’agent ou le courtier d’assurance de dommages. C’est l’occasion de poser toutes les questions, obtenir une soumission et de se renseigner au sujet de l’assurance bateau ou motomarine.
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Frequently asked questions
Combien coûte l'assurance pour un motomarine au Québec ?
The price of personal watercraft insurance varies depending on the value, length, engine power and use. Expect to pay between $300 and $2,500 per year. Get a free quote in minutes with Assur360.
Quelles protections sont couvertes par l'assurance motomarine ?
Personal watercraft insurance typically covers physical damage (collision, storm, theft), third-party liability, emergency towing, and equipment protection. Endorsements for navigation in the United States or the Caribbean are also available.
L'assurance motomarine est-elle obligatoire au Québec ?
Personal watercraft insurance is not legally mandatory in Quebec, but it is highly recommended. Third-party liability protects you in the event of damage to others, and comprehensive coverage protects your investment against theft, bad weather and accidents.
