Every boat owner needs to read this and take it to heart.

I have strived for years to help fellow anglers protect their interests and their boats. I've seen several instances lately where people do not realize the value of their boat trailer.

Each one of you that owns a boat and has it insured needs to review your coverages.

In the event of a boat accident involving your trailer, you may be drastically underinsured and not able to afford a replacement trailer in the event your's is totaled.

For some reason, there is a common practice by agents to suggest a $1000-$1500 limit on trailers. I do not want to say they are purposely doing it, but rather they do not know the value of what they are insuring.

I now have a customer who's boat and trailer are both totaled. The customer only has $1000 worth of coverage on his trailer. The cost of a new EZ Loader Trailer just like he had is almost $4000!

A new Road Runner Trailer is $2700, but still isn't what he had prior to the loss.

Even a good used trailer for a 20 Foot Champion will run $2000 or more since there are so hard find used.

So PLEASE look at your insurance coverage and change the coverage amount to $3000 or higher.

BTW: A New RangerTrail Trailer for a 20 foot Ranger is over $4700!

So be sure to double check how much coverage you need. But I bet 80% of you out there are WAY UNDERINSURED! The total premium change should be less than $20 per year. That is dirt cheap compared to having to cough up $2-$3 K extra to replace your trailer.

If you are pulling down the road doesn't your auto insurance cover it? Not sure but that what I thought.

My Ranger Trail trailer cost $5700 earlier this year. luckily it was someone else's fault. I now carry $5,000 on my trailer.

Appreciate the tip Mike

I agree with Ron. It outta be covered under the auto policy. At least mine does.

More than likely, your auto policy will settle the trailer as ACV, IF you have it scheduled on the auto policy. If not it will be covered for liability only. Just something to think about. There is no subsitute for the trailer coverage on a boat policy.

Thanks,
Trophyhunter

Good point Mike.

No, under the Texas Auto policy, trailers being towed are excluded. However, the damage your trailer does to someone else's property is covered under your liability. But there is not coverage to your trailer at all unless it is under an "un-insured/underinsured" motorist claim.

good info i have 2 cc s and a couple other trailers, and im self insured, butttttttt i feel im running out of luck, i think its time to make the call, your post turned my head

Wow! Thanks for the advice. I know I need to at least double my coverage for my TR186's Marine Master trailer.

Where does one go to find out the various replacement or new value for a boat trailer?

my boat is insured for 15K, and trailer for 2K.... no worried here....

Thanks Micheal. I checked and I only have $1500 on the trailer. That is going to change. I had no idea that trailers were that high.

I asked this on the bass fishing section. How do you go about finding the replacement cost of a trailer when you dont know the manufacture?

Ronnie, a new EZ Loader for your boat is about $3800!

What kind, size, tires size, ect of trailer do you have. Shoot me a pic and I can give your a rough ballpark figure.