Tampa, FL – The Memorial Day weekend is not only the kickoff to the busy summer travel season, but it is also the unofficial start of boating season.
Being safe on the water is a primary concern, but it’s important to have the proper insurance coverage in case you are involved in an accident.
In 2014, there were 4,064 accidents with 610 deaths, 2,678 injuries, and approximately $39 million dollars of property damage as a result of recreational boating accidents, according to the US Coast Guard (USCG). There are an estimated 11.8 million recreational vessels registered in the United States.
However, only two-thirds (67%) of owners in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee have boat insurance, according to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey.
“Unfortunately, not everyone has a proper insurance policy to cover the cost of any injuries or property damage that may occur,” Calkins continued. “Many people wrongly assume their homeowner’s insurance is all the coverage they need for their boat. However, most homeowner’s policies have minimal coverage for small boats with either no engine or a very small engine.”
Alcohol use ranks fifth in total boating accidents (277), but is the lead contributing factor in accidents involving deaths (108).
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among boat owners living in the Southern Region of The Auto Club Group (Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee) from April 15th – May 1st, 2015. A total of 305 residents completed this survey. Total results have a margin of error of ± 5.6 percentage points.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana.
ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 55 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.
