Named operator vs. permissive use..

Quick blurp on drivers on policies.

Insurance policies today are written in one of two ways when it comes to who is and isn't covered to operate your vessel.

First term: Named operator.

While most high performance boat owners are very familiar with this restriction/policy wording, those that are new or transitioning from other types of carriers, it's a term to understand and furthermore, know if it applies to your policy. This term is defined as follows:

".. any insured watercraft operator that has been approved by us (carrier) and specifically list on the Declarations page or by endorsement. Named operator does NOT include any family member, any person operating your insured watercraft with your prior permission, person or organization or employee thereof operating or owning a salvor or towing service, yacht club, boat repair yard shipyard, marina, sales agency or similar business...."

So in short, if the person is not actually listed on your policy, they have NO coverage while operating your vessel, permission or no permission from you.

Second Term: Permissive use Policy

A permissive use policy will define the covered people under the policy as "...you also includes any person or organization using

your watercraft with your consent. However, you does not include a:

i. Paid captain or crew of your

watercraft or any shipyard;

ii. Watercraft repair yard;

iii. Marina;

iv. Yacht/boat club;

v. Sales agency;

vi. Yacht/boat broker;

vii. Chartering agency; or

viii. Similar business or their

employees."

So under this type of policy you would LIST ALL HOUSEHOLD RESIDENTS on your actual insurance policy as operators. Beyond that, anyone with your expressed consent would be covered to operate the vessel so long as they are not on the list above OR specifically excluded from the policy for an specific reason.

Happy Boating Season! Stay safe and informed!