Specialty Marine Insurance

Navigating the Waters Safely

For many, the open water represents freedom, adventure, and cherished memories, whether you’re cruising coastal waters, fishing on a lake, or sailing the high seas. Your vessel, whether a sleek sailboat, a powerful motorboat, a personal watercraft, or a commercial fishing boat, is more than just a possession; it’s a significant investment and a source of joy or livelihood. Protecting this investment from the unique risks of the marine environment is paramount. At Farmers Insurance – Jaime Lessar, I’m Jaime Lessar, and my team specializes in comprehensive Marine insurance solutions. We are dedicated to guiding individuals and businesses through the specific intricacies of watercraft coverage, ensuring you can navigate the waters safely and with complete peace of mind.

The risks associated with marine activities are distinct from those on land. Accidents on the water, theft of valuable equipment, damage from storms, fire, or grounding are all possibilities that can lead to substantial financial losses. Standard Home or Property insurance policies typically offer very limited, if any, coverage for boats, and often have strict restrictions on vessel size, horsepower, or value. Without dedicated Marine insurance, you could face devastating out-of-pocket costs for repairs, liability claims from accidents involving other boats or individuals, or even environmental cleanup expenses. We believe that proper marine coverage is essential for any vessel owner. Our approach is to understand your specific vessel, its use, and your boating habits, then craft a tailored policy that addresses these unique exposures, allowing you to enjoy the water worry-free.

At Farmers Insurance – Jaime Lessar, we pride ourselves on providing precise, customized insurance solutions that understand the nuances of marine environments. I and my experienced team will work closely with you to identify your vessel’s unique characteristics and usage, discuss your potential exposures, and explain how a specialized Marine insurance policy offers superior protection compared to generic coverage.

Understanding the Unique Coverage of Marine Insurance:
Marine insurance is a specialized type of policy designed to cover the unique risks associated with owning and operating a boat or other watercraft. It provides far more comprehensive protection than what a standard Home or Auto policy could offer.

• Physical Damage Coverage: This protects your vessel itself from a wide array of perils, including collision, fire, theft, vandalism, sinking, storms, and even damage sustained during transport or storage. It covers the hull, machinery, equipment, and any permanently attached accessories.
• Liability Coverage: Crucially, this protects you financially if you’re found at fault for an accident that causes bodily injury to others (passengers, swimmers, occupants of other boats) or damage to their property (other boats, docks, navigational aids). This is paramount for protecting your assets in the event of a severe incident on the water.
• Uninsured Boater Coverage: Similar to Auto insurance, this protects you and your passengers if you’re involved in an accident with another boater who is uninsured or underinsured.
• Medical Payments: This coverage helps pay for immediate medical expenses for injuries sustained by you or your passengers on the water, regardless of who is at fault.
• Towing and Salvage: In the event your boat breaks down or is damaged on the water, this coverage can help with the costs of towing your vessel to shore and any necessary salvage operations.
• Personal Effects Coverage: Often, valuable personal items like fishing gear, water skis, or electronics that you bring aboard your boat are covered, even if your Home policy has limitations for these items away from home.
• Wreckage Removal: If your boat sinks or is severely damaged, you could be legally obligated to remove the wreckage. Marine insurance can cover these often-significant costs.

Tailored Coverage for Various Vessels:
We can provide specialized Marine insurance for a wide range of watercraft, ensuring your policy perfectly matches your vessel and its use:

• Motorboats: From small fishing boats to large power cruisers, covering the specific risks associated with engine power and speed.
• Sailboats: Addressing the unique needs of sails, rigging, and hull design.
• Personal Watercraft (PWC): Including Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos, often with specific liability considerations for these high-speed, agile craft.
• Yachts: For larger, more luxurious vessels, requiring extensive coverage for hull value, specialized equipment, crew liability, and broader navigation limits.
• Commercial Vessels: For businesses that rely on their boats, such as charter fishing, tour operators, or commercial transport, we offer specialized Commercial Marine Insurance tailored to business operations and their unique liabilities.

Factors Influencing Your Marine Insurance Policy:
When designing your Marine insurance policy, we consider several key factors to ensure optimal coverage:

• Vessel Type, Size, and Value: The kind of boat you own is a primary determinant of coverage.
• Usage: Is it for recreational use, racing, or commercial purposes? How often is it used?
• Navigation Area: Where do you typically operate your boat (e.g., inland lakes, coastal waters, international)?
• Storage: How and where is your boat stored when not in use (e.g., dry dock, marina, at home)?
• Equipment: Do you have specialized or valuable equipment, electronics, or fishing gear?
• Deductibles: Choosing a deductible that balances affordability with your risk tolerance.

Why Choose Jaime Lessar for Your Marine Insurance Needs?
As your dedicated Farmers Insurance agent, I bring personalized attention to the protection of your valuable vessel and your time on the water. I understand the passion and investment that go into boating. I will work closely with you to understand your specific watercraft, its unique uses, and your boating habits, explaining the limitations of any existing Home or Auto policies and designing a specialized Marine insurance solution that offers the broad, comprehensive protection you need. My commitment is to simplify this process, providing clear information and ensuring you have complete peace of mind, knowing your watercraft is expertly safeguarded against the distinct risks of the marine environment.

Don’t let the joys of boating be overshadowed by unnecessary risks. Let Farmers Insurance – Jaime Lessar be your trusted guide in securing specialized Marine insurance. Contact us today for a personalized consultation, and take the confident step towards ensuring your vessel and your time on the water are as secure as your Home and Life insurance policies. We look forward to helping you protect your passion and peace of mind.