A: Yes. Extra insurance can be purchased by the boat renter through Peer-to-Peer Boat Rental Policy.
A: Contact your Marine Operators Liability insurance company or your broker. Inform them you will be renting boats and ask them to add "Owned Watercraft" to your policy.
A: No – No US state laws require a boat owner to carry boat rental insurance.
A: No -Boat Rental Insurance is very reasonable. In fact, in most cases it is less expensive than private boat owner insurance.
A: "Limitation of Liability Act" of 1851. Insurance Carrier's Ace in the Hole.
A: The Limitation Act limits a boat owner liability from accidents that result in personal injuries and other losses that occur on navigable waters. 46 U.S.C. App. §188
A: Yes, The Limitation Act applies to all "seagoing vessels and also to all vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal boats, barges, and lighters." 46 U.S.C. App. §186. The term vessel has recently been enlarged by the U.S. Supreme Court in Stewart v. Dutra Const. Co., 543 U.S. 481, 125 S.Ct. 1118 (2005) to owners of pleasure craft, including jet skis and house boats, are permitted to limit liability. (Boat Owners are ONLY responsible or liable up to the value of their boat AFTER said incident) Keys Jet Ski, Inc. v. Kays, 893 F.2d 1225 (11th Cir. 1990); Warnken v. Moody, 22 F.2d 960, 962 (5th Cir.1927); In re Guglielmo, 704 F.Supp. 352 (E.D.N.Y.1989) (twentyone foot motor boat).
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