If you’re a boat dealer, it’s critical that you be properly insured. Choosing your boat dealer insurance policy is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make.

Any insurance purchase requires some shopping around. Rates can vary pretty significantly, particularly when you require the high amount required for boat dealer insurance. So, you’ll want to visit several agents with several different insurance companies to make sure you get the right coverage at the right price.

Here are some things to consider when choosing boat dealer insurance.

. Will your boat dealer insurance be a flat rate or based on your inventory?
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Will your boats be covered whether on land or on the water?
. Will you have liability coverage for demonstration or transporting for demonstration?
. Will you have liability coverage for work performed by you or your employees?
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Will your boat dealer insurance cover all risks, such as floods, waves, and wind?
. Will your boat dealer insurance cover fire?
. Will your coverage include real and personal property, including any items you have on premises, rather than just your boat inventory?
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Will your insurance cover used boats you’ve accepted as trade ins, or just your new boats in inventory?
. Will your insurance policy include excess liability coverage that picks up other areas not specifically covered?
You should interview several agents with several different insurance companies and ask all of them these questions, covering their various policies in detail. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to one or two insurance companies and one or two insurance agents, it’s wise to talk to some of their customers.

By this, I don’t mean ask for references. No insurance agent will ever give you a reference that will tell you anything negative. Instead, it’s better to find people on your own who have experience with the insurance company you’re considering.

You may not be able to find people who’ve used the same agent, but you should at least find someone who has used the same insurance company. If possible, talk to someone who has filed a claim. Knowing how an insurance company works during the claim and payment process is critical to feeling comfortable that you’ve chosen the right company. First, find out about the kind of coverage that the person carried. Next find out how accessible their agent was during the claim reporting process. Finally, find out if they had disputes with their insurance company or if the claim was settled promptly.
Steer clear of insurance companies with a reputation for delaying or denying claims. They may have the lowest rates, but they probably keep them low by denying legitimate claims and giving their clients the runaround over what they’ll actually cover in the event of a problem.

When you’re looking for a new fishing boat, you want to choose a fishing boat dealer that you can trust and that will be there to support you over the years that you’ll own the boat. A fishing boat is a big investment and one that you may have lots of questions about.

So, it’s important to choose the right fishing boat dealer. There are several things you should look for in a fishing boat dealer before you buy.

Prices – You want to be certain that your fishing boat dealer charges fair prices.

Prices can range widely from dealer to dealer, so it pays to shop around. In addition to finding out about the dealer’s base price for the boat itself, you should also ensure that he charges a fair price for parts and repairs.

Certification – You want to purchase your fishing boat from a dealer that is certified by the boat manufacturer to perform service and repairs.

If your dealer is not certified, service and repair that he performs will not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Stability – Make sure you purchase your boat from a fishing boat dealer that’s been around for a while. You’ll likely go back to your dealer for service, so you want to know that he’s not ready to go out of business.

Fishing boat dealers with 10 or more years in the business have been around long enough to have loyal customers and repeat business, so you can count on them to be there for the long haul.

Payment for service under warranty – Sometimes repairs covered under warranty still carry a deductible payment. You need to know how much you’ll pay in such deductibles.

You should also find out about regular engine service charges, as these will likely not be covered under your warranty.

Convenience – Make sure that your fishing boat dealer’s service hours are convenient for you. This is especially important if you have to travel a long distance to get your boat serviced or repaired.

Availability – Your fishing boat dealer needs to be attentive to your needs. Purchasing a boat is a big investment, and it should be one that lasts for many years. Your dealer should be happy to answer your questions and give you the time you need to make your decisions and fully understand the boat model you’re purchasing.

If the fishing boat dealer you’re considering seems impatient with you, then move on to another dealer.

Purchasing any boat takes time, money and thought. Consider your choices in both boat and dealer carefully to ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for.