Boaters around Eureka, MO, are attuned to the marvelous riverfront vistas and the beckoning tranquil waters that invite local adventurers. Yet, amid this serenity, it remains essential to safeguard themselves, their passengers, and their treasured vessels against unforeseen circumstances. Uncover the top five riverfront safety measures courtesy of the experts at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO.

1. Never Forego Your Life Jacket

Regardless of your confidence in swimming, donning a life jacket to protect yourself and passengers from unexpected interaction with river water is non-negotiable. Unforeseen currents and submerged hazards pose severe challenges even to the most proficient swimmer.

2. Prioritize Monitoring of Weather and River Conditions

Running through Eureka is the Meramec River, stretching 218 miles through the Missouri Ozarks. Ignoring rapidly varying river conditions and local weather alerts can pose significant risks to local boaters and anglers.

3. Perform Routine Boat Maintenance

Eureka’s boat enthusiasts should inspect the vessel’s body, lights, signals, and propulsion systems thoroughly before venturing into local waterways. Ensure to equip every expedition with a fully stocked first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and emergency navigation instruments.

4. Be Conscious of River Traffic

The local riverfront experiences high traffic during peak seasons. To avert costly, damage-inflicting boating accidents, boat owners should exhibit a high sense of traffic consciousness and maintain a safe distance from other boaters sharing the same waters.

5. Invest in Comprehensive Boat Insurance

Arguably one of the pivotal safety measures for local boat owners is procuring comprehensive boat insurance catering to common and uncommon risks.

Contact the trusted insurance agents at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, to secure a boat insurance quote today.

You just bought a boat and or other type of watercraft, such as a jet ski, and you want to be able to enjoy your new toy without a care in the world. Our agents at Focus Insurance, serving the Eureka, MO area, can help you out by ensuring you have an appropriate amount of boat and watercraft insurance to protect your investment while also providing you with great peace of mind.

What Does Boat and Watercraft Insurance Cover?

This type of insurance policy is considered to be a specialized policy that is designed to provide protection and coverage if you have an accident while out on the water. It can help you deal with damages or injuries caused by an accident you could have on your boat or other watercraft.

Boat insurance also covers physical damage to your boat or other watercraft if damaged by a storm, accident, fire, vandalism, theft, or other horrible incidents. This coverage will help you repair or replace your boat or watercraft so you can recover financially and be back out on the water in no time at all.

Uninsured/Underinsured Boater Coverage is essential in case you happen to have an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured boat owner. This type of policy will help you pay for damages or injuries that the other party would have customarily been responsible for if they had a sufficient amount of insurance.

Personal property coverage will come in handy if something happens to your boat and your personal belongings are lost or damaged on board. Examples of these items include electronics, personal items, and fishing gear.

You can also include in your policy towing and assistance so that if your boat or jet ski breaks down while you are out on the water, you can get emergency assistance and have your watercraft towed back to safety. Your policy can also include wreck removal, which means if your boat unfortunately sinks into the water or becomes stranded, the wreckage can be removed to prevent any environmental damage.

Contact Fous Insurance in Eureka, MO

To create the best boat or watercraft insurance policy for you and your situation, contact our agents today at Focus Insurance, serving the Eureka, MO, area!

The Eureka, MO area can be a great place to live or visit in the summertime. During this time of the year, the local lakes are filled with boaters, swimmers, and others trying to have fun and stay cool. When you are looking to enjoy this part of Missouri as much as possible, investing in a boat can be a great idea. Along with your boat purchase, you also need to get a proper insurance plan for it. There are various reasons all people here should get boat insurance.

Ensure the Boat is Covered

A reason for all owners to have a boat insurance plan in Missouri is to ensure their boat is covered. When you are looking for a new boat, you will want to know that your purchase is protected so you can enjoy the boat for a long time. When you get boat insurance, it will provide the coverage that you need. 

Offset Liability Risks

Getting boat insurance to mitigate your liability concern can also be a beneficial idea. There will always be a risk that you could create property damage or injuries in a boating collision. If this happens, you will want to know you have appropriate insurance protection. This coverage will help cover these costs, which otherwise can be costly and lead to significant financial setbacks.

If you want to buy a boat in the Eureka, MO area, it is essential that you get the right insurance for it. When you are looking for a new insurance plan in this region, calling our professionals with Focus Insurance can be ideal. When you call us at Focus Insurance, we will give you the guidance you need to build a plan that protects you and your boat. 

Focus Insurance of Eureka, MO understands vandalism is a serious problem that can cause extensive damage to your boat. It is essential to take steps to protect your investment and keep your boat in good condition. You can do a few simple things to deter vandals and help protect your boat.

What are the best ways to protect my boat from vandals?

Boat owners can take several measures to help protect their vessels from vandals. Many recommend fitting the boat with an alarm system that will sound if someone tries to break in or tamper with the vessel. CCTV cameras can also be a helpful deterrent, as vandals may be less likely to target a boat that is being monitored.

Some boat owners choose to install motion-activated lights around their vessels, which can also help scare off would-be vandals. In addition, keeping the boat well-lit when it is moored is important, as this can help make it less of a target for criminals.

Finally, boat owners should consider joining a neighborhood watch program or forming a group with other boaters to help keep an eye on each other’s vessels.

What are the risks of not protecting my boat?

If you don’t take measures to protect your boat from thieves and vandals, you run the risk of having your boat stolen or vandalized. This can be a costly and stressful experience. Additionally, if your boat is vandalized, it may be difficult to repair, and you may have to replace parts or the entire boat.

What kind of coverage do I need to protect my boat?

Focus Insurance is the agency for you if you’re looking for boat insurance in Eureka, MO. We offer comprehensive coverage for boats of all types, including protection against vandalism and other damage. Contact us today to get a quote.

Boat insurance isn’t a legal requirement in Eureka, MO, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it. Many things can go wrong when you’re out on the water. Here are some of the top reasons you should invest in boat insurance.

Liability Protection

Boat insurance can help protect you financially if you’re ever sued after an accident. One of the biggest reasons to get boat insurance is for liability protection. If you injure someone or damage their property while operating your boat, you could be on the hook for a significant amount of money.

Another reason to get boat insurance is for protection from uninsured boaters. If you’re in an accident with an uninsured boater, you could be stuck paying for the damages yourself.

Repairs and Replacement

If a collision, storm, or vandalism damages or destroys your boat, insurance can help cover repairs or replacement costs. The right policy can be a lifesaver if you have an expensive boat. How much protection you need often varies by the value of your boat. Your Focus Insurance agent can help you find the right policy for your needs.

Medical Coverage

If you or your passengers are injured in a boating accident, medical coverage can help pay for the medical bills. Having the policy to cover injuries to you, a passenger, or a pedestrian can be a great comfort. And if you’re injured far from shore, it can save you money.

For example, you may need to be airlifted to a hospital for treatment, which can cost thousands and not be covered by standard health insurance.

There are many reasons to get boat insurance in Eureka, MO. Make sure you’re protected by contacting Focus Insurance today. We can help you find the right policy for your needs.

Components of a Boat Insurance Policy

Boat insurance doesn’t only cover structural damage to a boat. Similar to how auto insurance works, boat insurance offers a policy you can customize with other coverage available from Focus Insurance. For example, you can add collision or comprehensive to your liability insurance.

Boat Insurance Essentials

When you purchase the essentials of boat insurance, you get a policy with bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and physical damage coverage. These three coverage types protect you from:

• paying out of pocket or going to court if you injure or kill another boater while operating your boat up to your policy’s limits,
• paying out of pocket or going to court if you damage another’s boat or other property.
• paying out of pocket for physical damage you cause to your boat or trailer whether the damage occurred on land or in the waters near Eureka MO or out of state.

Add-on Coverage

You can also add to the policy with comprehensive and collision coverage. Just as it does with auto insurance, a comprehensive component pays for weather or vandalism damage to your watercraft as well as covering when it gets stolen. The collision component pays for your boat’s repairs or replacement if you cause an accident. Other options include uninsured boater coverage. Each of these three options adds to your premium but also helps protect your watercraft investment and your financial security.

Contact Us

Contact Focus Insurance serving Eureka, MO today to learn more about how boat insurance can help you. Let one of our insurance representatives assist you in determining which coverage types your policy requires. Call us or use our online contact form on our website.

What every boat insurance owner should know about safety

Boating is all fun and adventurous until something terrible happens. Safety in the water should be your top priority, whether you are in the company of friends, have passengers on board, or by yourself. Focus Insurance insists on having quality boat insurance to provide you with the protection you need. So, what can you do to improve safety when boating around Eureka, MO? Here are a few suggestions.

Prepare your day early in advance

When the summer season hits, everyone is eager to hit the water and take their vessel for a voyage. The excitement can easily distract you from focusing on safety and leave you vulnerable to accidents.  Before entering the water, it’s always a good idea to inspect your vessel and check for faults. If the watercraft is in perfect condition, check the weather, take your boating equipment and wear a life jacket.

Invest in maintenance

Just like your car, your boat needs routine maintenance to keep it in perfect condition. You can start by doing the simple duties of cleaning and checking the engine.

Always think about what could possibly go wrong

The water brings a lot of uncertainty. You want to think about what could go wrong and try to figure out what you would do if you are in such a situation. For instance, if you were boating alone in Eureka, MO and accidentally slipped and fell into the water, what would you do? Of course have a life jacket on and a few supplies to last a few days.

Buy boat insurance

Boat insurance is a critical part of your boating life. If you are a water enthusiast, make a point of buying adequate boat insurance to protect you, your loved ones, and any other person on board.

Not sure whether to buy boat insurance? Focus Insurance has everything you need to stay safe on the water. Feel free to call for more information, quotes or policy discussions.

The winter comes every year in Eureka, MO and that means it’s time to store your boat. She was put to good use over the warmer months, but now it’s time to winterize her. At Focus Insurance, we’ve put together three easy tips even first-time boat owners can follow when it comes time to pull your boat out of the water. Read on to learn more.

1. Properly Store Your Boat

Choose between inside or outside storage.

     Inside – Choose between dry-stacked storage, garage storage, or a boat storage facility. Each has its own pros and cons. For example, dry-stacked storage keeps your boat safe from the elements, but it might not be available when you want it. As for garage storage, one pro is cost while one con is leaving limited space for other vehicles. Boat storage facilities can be pricey, but your boat is available whenever you want it.

    Outside – Choose between parking on a trailer in your yard, a covered boat storage facility, or an outdoor boat storage facility. Keeping the boat on your property is economical, however, the best choice could very well be a covered outdoor storage facility that offers the least amount of exposure to the elements. When choosing to store your boat outside, it must be covered to keep it in good condition.

2. Winterize Your Boat

The key is to get rid of and keep away any moisture. To prep your boat for winter in Eureka, MO, make sure all water has been drained, removed, and wiped dry. Next, you’ll need to apply corrosion protection to the engine.  Complete fogging, stabilize the fuel system, change engine filters, drain all sinks, tanks, and heads, and add antifreeze to the systems. 

To learn about purchasing boat insurance contact Focus insurance today.

3. Get all Repairs Done

Did your boat take a beating over the summer? If so, she’ll probably need some repairs along with routine maintenance before winterizing. Consult your owner’s manual on what needs to be done and consult a boat mechanic for the tasks you need help with.