Product spotlight: Watercraft

Did you know that most boaters who die on the water each year in Canada are not wearing lifejackets, or are wearing them improperly?

Boaters are required by law to have a lifejacket or PFD (personal flotation device) on board for each person on the watercraft.

Former editor of the Newfoundland Sportsman Gord Follett noted the following in a column for CBC.ca.

“It's nothing short of ludicrous that in 2022 it is still not mandatory to wear a lifejacket,” he wrote.

“… Every year, more than 500 people drown across the country, with 166 of them, on average, boating-related. The Canadian Red Cross says, ‘wearing a life-jacket could eliminate up to 90 percent of all boating-related drownings.’”

It’s a good reminder to boaters of all stripes to not only own Canadian-approved flotation devices with a label that shows they are approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or Fisheries and Oceans Canada—but also to insist that all passengers wear them when they’re on board.

If the boat hits a rogue wave and knocks people into the water, or a passenger slips and hits their head, their lifejackets will only help save their lives if they’re wearing them. Visit Canada.ca for information on choosing a personal floatation device.

Coverage you can count on

Aviva’s NauticLife watercraft insurance offers protection for all kinds of pleasure craft, from fishing boats to yachts. Here are some of the available coverage options:

Standard coverage

• Sail
• Jet
• Sport
• Fishing
• Cruiser
• Houseboats
• Pontoon and deck
• Runabout
• Personal watercraft

Included in all policies

• Agreed value/replacement cost for watercraft up to 15 years
• Actual cash value for watercraft 15 years of age and older (we will offer RC coverage on these vessels, upon receipt of an acceptable Marine Survey and/or photographs)
• Fire, explosion, theft and vandalism
• Lightning, hail and windstorm damage
• Impact or collision
• Vermin damage

Additional coverages

• Medical/death/funeral benefit
• Newly acquired watercraft
• Marine assistance Program
• Emergency towing and loss of use
• Navigation equipment
• Pollution and wreck removal
• Personal effects including sporting equipment
• Search and rescue and fire department charges
• Operating other boats
  

Optional enhancements

• Guaranteed replacement coverage – available on new boats for up to three years, provides protection against future prices and inflation in the event of a total loss
• Incidental use: additional liability coverage for specific purposes including charity or volunteer work and hosting larger group of guests aboard the vessel.
• Increased loss of use: increase the policy’s coverage for a temporary replacement in the event of an insured loss for another boat, rental car, taxi, or public transit while the boat is being repaired after a covered claim
• Navigation Extension Coverages – Navigational extensions can be purchased to provide coverage for a broader area of operation, for example travelling into many areas of the Caribbean. Multiple options are available
• Other
  • Dinghy and auxiliary engineers
  • Downriggers
  • Claims forgiveness
  • Deductible waiver

Discounts (percentage varies by Province)

• Watercraft and car/home
• Dry dock
• Claims free
• Training

Learn more

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