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Jet-Skiing: Watch Out!
There are nearly one million jet-skis in the United States, and the number is
increasing at 30% per year. With speeds exceeding a mile a minute, these personal
watercraft can be dangerous even in experienced hands. In some states, these watercraft
are not required to follow boating laws. Licenses are not required to operate these craft,
but they're recommended. In some locations, operators 14 to 18 years old must take a boat
safety course. Think safety before turning kids loose on a jet-ski.
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Waterways Are Like Highways
Look around your favorite recreational lake, river, or marina. Aren't the dangers
a lot like those of driving on the road? Look: that guy forgot to signal- does he even
know he's supposed to? The boat over there is driving to fast. That one is driving
erratically. Some people are letting their under-age kids jet-ski. You can bet that they'd
never let their kids drive the car!
A lot of those people do not have insurance that will compensate you if they injure
you, your family or your watercraft. Protecting your equipment and your family against
the negligence of others is thus as important as protecting yourself for watercraft
accidents of your own making. The best protection, of course, is insurance.
Homeowners Coverage is limited for small watercraft. Watercraft Insurance provides much
fuller protection: property damage and medical expenses. Watercraft premiums are based on
a number of factors, including the owner's driving record. (The relation is logical:
as
many as 50% of watercraft accidents are related to alcohol.) One way to reduce the premium
is to take a boat safety course. Another possibility is to carry Watercraft
Insurance with
the same company that insures your home or car.
Whether you're on the roadway or a waterway, safety precautions and insurance protection
are undoubtedly the right way to go. |
