Boat Insurance - DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Boat Season Pre-Check – DeKok Insurance Group

May 6, 2014 By Jon DeKok

Get your boat ready for summer.

If you love the water, few things are better than boating season. Summer just wouldn’t be summer without spending those long, hot days on Lake Pepin, the Zumbro River, or cruising the Mississippi. Plus all the fun of cooling off with a lazy dip in the water, dropping a line in hopes of catching a “big one,” sunning on the beach across the river, or having an action-packed day of waterskiing and tubing.

Boating is not without its share of pre-summer preparation. If you’re not on the ball early, it’s easy to find yourself midway through July still on dry land.

Tune it up. It’s always a good idea to have your boat winterized at the end of each season, but whether you did or didn’t get it done last year, make sure to get a full tune-up before you hit the lake this summer.
Charge it. Make sure your battery is fully charged.
Clear it out. If there’s a chance any bit of gas from last season is still in your tank, fill it up with fresh gas as well as a stabilizer; this will prevent buildup in the gas lines and injection system.
Give it a test. Before you get the boat all the way into the water and off the trailer, lower your motor into the water and make sure it will turn over.
Plug it up. Ensure your drain plug is in and the bilge pump is functioning properly.
Double- and triple-check. The last thing you want is to be turned away at the ramp for not having an updated registration or missing your ski flag or life vests. Double check that your documents are updated and that your boat is fully stocked with everything you need.
Be sure you’re covered. If you’re not certain you have the right insurance coverage, give me a call at 507-226-8121.

I hope you have a fun-filled and safe boating season!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 Target gift card.

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Boat Trailer Safety

July 18, 2013 By Jon DeKok

There are many reasons to love the sport of boating – it can be relaxing, exciting, entertaining and even rejuvenating. But hauling a boat on a trailer and launching it at the busy launch ramp can have its challenges. In fact, it can be downright stressful and dangerous and is often wrought with mishaps.

It’s not too early to start getting your boat trailer in tip-top shape. To help make sure you can haul your boat to its destination and into the water smoothly, check out this basic trailering checklist from discoverboating.com.

Before you put your boat on your trailer. . .

Take a look at your current boat and trailer insurance policies. Check with your agent to be sure your coverage is adequate and that your policies are up to date and renewed.
Upgraded your boat or trailer recently? If so, talk to your insurance agent about your coverage and limits to be certain your coverage is sufficient.
Be sure both your boat and trailer policy liability limits are adequate. Just one accident involving a boat can result in extensive damage and serious injuries.

Before you tow your boat trailer. . .

Coupler, hitch and hitch ball are of the same size
Coupler and safety chains are safely secured to the hitch of the tow vehicle
All fasteners are properly tightened
Boat is securely tied down to trailer (winch line is not a tie down)
Wheel lug nuts are properly tightened
Wheel bearings are properly adjusted and maintained
Load is within maximum load carrying capacity
Tires are properly inflated
All trailer lighting is working properly
Trailer brakes are properly adjusted and working (if trailer is so equipped)
Brakes and additional equipment meet all local and state requirements

At DeKok Insurance Group, I want your boating adventures to be enjoyed on the water instead of experienced with frustration on the boat ramp or on the road. If you have any questions, give me a call at 507-226-8121 or email me at [email protected].

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

It’s Boating Season – Tips from DeKok Insurance Group and Safeco

July 15, 2013 By Jon DeKok

Every summer, we gets calls from customers after a fun weekend on the water takes a turn for the worse. Often, these accidents could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions. Here are a few tips we like – courtesy of our partners at Safeco.

Don’t let an accident wreck your fun!

Life Preservers Aren’t Just for Kids. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board — wear them! In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies to adults, not just children: More people in their 30s die in boating accidents than any other age group. Life vests have come a long way in style. Today, you can even get vests for your water-loving dog.

Most home insurance policies have limited coverage for boats. If you own a boat, watercraft insurance is your best bet: It covers theft, damage, and injuries or accidents while you’re on the water, as well as some of your expensive water sports gear.

Watch the Back of the Boat. Carbon monoxide kills in minutes. So tell your passengers where your exhaust pipes are located and turn off your engine when people are in the water, and don’t let passengers “ski” or “teak-surf” by holding on to the back of the boat. Both Washington and Oregon made teak-surfing illegal in the last few years, after several tragic deaths. Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats; older boats install devices for less than $100.

Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix. More than 50 percent of drowning’s result from boating incidents involving alcohol. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

Boats Need TLC Too. When you’re out on the water, make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waste and grease. Carry a charged fire extinguisher. Have your boat’s operating systems checked yearly by a certified marine technician. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons also offer free vessel safety checks.

Experience Counts! The U.S. Coast Guard says that operator errors account for 70 percent of all boating accidents. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly trained. You can also earn boat insurance discounts from Safeco and other insurers if you complete a safety course with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons.

Sites for Information:

Coast Guard: www.uscgboating.org

Coast Guard Auxiliary: nws.cgaux.org/

Safeco tips: www.safeco.com/insurance-101/consumer-tips/your-boat

Call me at 507-226-8121 or email me at [email protected] for more information. We also have a list of summer boat safety classes that can save you money.

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Watercraft (Boat) Insurance

August 12, 2011 By Jon DeKok

With Boat Insurance, there are normally two coverage options regarding physical damage to your boat, motor, trailer, and accessories.

Actual Cash Value or Agreed Value

It is important to understand the difference between Actual Cash Value (ACV)
and Agreed Value.

If a policy is an ACV policy and you were to have a total loss, the adjuster looks at the value of the boat at the time of the loss and pays based on its current actual cash
value (market value).

If your policy is an Agreed Value policy, the insurance company will honor the value of the boat as agreed upon at the time the policy was written. For example, you buy a new boat for $30,000 and insure it for that value. Five yeas later it’s stolen. Although the boat may not be worth $30,000 due to depreciation, you would be entitled to $30,000 under the Agreed Value policy.

Not all insurance companies offer the Agreed Value coverage. Some companies offer it on newer watercraft, but not on older boats. Some companies like Safeco only offer Agreed Value coverage.

Typically, the premium for an Agreed Value policy is 25% higher than ACV. The Agreed Value coverage eliminates depreciation in the event of a claim.

It is a good idea to review your watercraft values every two to three years.

Not sure what coverage you have or is in your best interest? Call me and together we can review your current policy.

507-226-8121

Jon