You may have been boating since you were a kid, but if you are looking to lower your boat insurance rates you could still benefit from earning your boating safety certificate. Your boating safety certificate is not the same as your boating license. A boating safety certificate provides proof of completing an approved boater safety course and never expires. Boater safety courses may cover boater terminology, important safety equipment, and familiarizing yourself with maritime laws among other things. Providing a certificate of completion from a class approved by the US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard to your boat insurance company may enable your boat insurance company to offer you lower boat insurance rates.

What You Will Learn

Boater safety courses are created to improve your knowledge of boats and boating in an effort to decrease the likelihood of an accident. They cover the following topics in addition to other items.

• Terminology & Parts – some examples are: transom, gunwale, hull, starboard, port, cleat, sidelights, bilge, draft, beam, aft, forward, keel, waterline and forward

• Classifications/types – engine types, hull types and boat classifications

• Operation – launching, docking and mooring, anchoring, approaching vessels, crossing vessels, lookout, rules of responsibility, darkness and reduced visibility and boat handling

• Safety Equipment & Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s)

• Emergency Procedures – distress signals, capsizing, overboard, prevention, fire, cold water emersion and filing accident reports

• Overloading and Overpowering – what they are and the challenges they create

• Registration Requirements

• Maritime Laws – environmental, garbage, waste, noise, hours of operation, boating while intoxicated (BWI), slacken speed, no wake zones and age restrictions

• Weather – how to monitor and dangers to avoid

• Fueling Safety Procedures and Conservation

• Maintenance – basic boat maintenance

• Hand Signals

• Carbon Monoxide Safety

You May Earn Reduced Premiums

Boat insurance companies understand that taking the time to commit to safety education means that you are less likely to need to file a claim. Therefore they are often able to pass on some of these savings with lower boat insurance rates. Speak with your Global Marine customer service representative to see if you are eligible for a discount on your boat insurance rates by attending a boater safety course.

Where Can You Attend Classes?

You can find a listing of classes approved by the US Coast Guard or  an online course from Boater Exam they are also recognized by the US Coast Guard and approved by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) https://www.boaterexam.com/usa/ their online boating safety courses are also recognized by several state departments of natural resources.  You can find a complete state by state list of boating schools here. 

How Do You Receive a Discount on Premiums?

If you are you eligible for a discount you can provide your insurance company with a copy of your boating safety certificate as proof of completion.

Boating can be a great way to have fun with family and friends but basic knowledge of your boat features, safety precautions, emergency procedures and maritime law is essential to creating a safe experience. We encourage everyone to participate in a boater’s safety course. Please call one of our customer safety representatives or email us at service@globalmarineinsurance.com if you have any questions.