Watercraft Insurance Protects More Than Vessels

With summer in full swing, many people have their boats and other crafts out on the water, and that means something bad could happen at any moment that might ruin what otherwise might have been a great day. Many things can go wrong when boating, and with the proliferation of personal watercraft and other vessels in recent years, there are more people making recreation use of the nation’s waterways than ever before.

There are nearly 13 million types of vessels registered in the United States, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. And there are many that ply the waters without state-mandated registration tags, making busy waterways a potential source of problems for boat owners and others.

Fortunately, a good watercraft insurance policy can protect owners of vessels against damage or loss of their property as well as provide liability protection in case a passenger or someone else is injured or killed or their property damaged or destroyed in the course of recreational activity. Even something as simple as a canoe or flat-bottom boat can tip and send someone into the water, which might result in an injury or fatality that could wind up putting the owner in financial ruin.

Nearly all property and casualty insurance companies underwrite protection for personal watercraft, and a good policy can be had for as little as a couple hundred dollars per year. Such plans will insure boats and personal watercraft against theft, damage, destruction or causing damage or destruction to other people’s properties. If accidentally ramming another craft or striking a dock or other structure and damaging or destroying it, the policy would pay up to policy limits to repair or replace it.

And with many people enjoying water skiing and other activities, there is a possibility of an accident resulting in serious injury or death for which the boat owner might be held liable. But a good policy will insure against that as well. Even personal effects lost or stolen from a vessel could be covered by a good plan.

While such policies can be affordable and somewhat comprehensive in what they cover, there are limitations and exclusions. Generally, any watercraft that has been modified or built for high speed will be excluded, and that speed might be as low as 65 miles per hour, which many craft can exceed these days. And males under age 25 tend to be charged higher rates due to a greater likelihood of risky behavior from the demographic subgroup.

A common liability range for vessels ranges from about $100,000 to $300,000 but can go higher. And the insured amount for the craft in question can be determined by its replacement value or its actual cash value. Replacement value policies run more than actual cash value coverage, but the more someone enjoys being on the water, the more the higher priced protection makes sense.

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Individual Vision Insurance – Some Eye-Popping Statistics, and the Need for a Good Vision Plan

here is no doubt whatsoever that across the world, vision health is becoming poorer each passing year. This is more so in America: in a country battling an obesity epidemic, how could eye health be any better? Compound our poor health in general with increased use of televisions, computers, and other ‘screen based devices’, and you can see why our vision health is going southwards.

As of now, there are over 2.5 million visually impaired people in the US – that is, those that have very limited vision (if at all). This number does not include 1 million blind. That more than 3/4th or nearly 75% of people between 25-64 require some kind of vision correction equipment (read: glasses, lenses) is a testimonial of the declining state of our nation’s vision health.

Some even more troubling facts: one in four school going children have undiagnosed vision problems. It is also estimated that vision problems cost the American economy upwards of $50 billion every year.

Keeping all these statistics in mind, it seems only natural that most people list vision care plans as their most desired insurance benefits, besides a general health plan. Insurance companies too have risen to meet this demand. Today, getting an individual vision insurance plan is quite affordable, costing only a few dollars each month. Group vision insurance plans tend to be even cheaper, and more and more employers are offering this benefit to their employees.

An individual vision insurance plan basically provides cover for most vision related problems. These can range from regular eye exams and doctor visits, to partial payment for corrective glasses and contact lenses. Some policies even provide coverage for surgical procedures such as LASIK.

The cost of visiting an eye doctor, or getting a pair of glasses made can be quite high, as anybody with vision problems will testify. A single pair of glasses can run into hundreds of dollars. Taking care of your vision can cost upwards of several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of your vision problems. It makes quite sense then to invest in an individual vision insurance plan that will cover a major chunk of these expenses.

In most cases, a vision insurance plan can be added on top of your existing medical plan for only a few dollars more each month. Families can also opt for a group plan that will decrease the monthly cost even further.

A vision insurance plan is a great investment for the future, whether you are single or have a family. Vision problems will only compound in the future as eye health only deteriorates with age. A solid individual vision insurance plan will cover most expenses related to keeping your eyes healthy, and some procedures, such as regular eye exams, may also

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