- Details
(Provided by BoatUS)
If you get in an accident while trailering your boat, do you know which insurance policy will pay for repairs to the trailer?
If it's a simple accident with damage to the trailer only, it's likely your trailer insurance coverage that pays. But what happens when you back the trailer into a neighbor's stone wall or a tree comes crashing down on your trailer in your backyard? Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) understands how the combination of homeowners, auto, boat and boat trailer insurance add up to protect trailer boaters and offers these tips:
- Start with the basics. When shopping for insurance for your trailer boat, ensure to ask if the policy provides boat trailer coverage. Not all insurers provide it.
- Know the trailer value. If you decide to add trailer coverage to your boat's insurance policy, your insurer needs to know the cost of the boat and trailer separately. If you don't separate each out, the insurer may have difficulty in fairly compensating you in the event of a claim.
- How far can you trailer? Ask if there are geographic limits on where or how far you may trailer your boat.
- Check your auto insurance. Ensure your tow vehicle's insurance policy includes liability coverage for any damage to others' property caused while trailering your boat, for example, backing into your neighbor's stone wall. This liability coverage is not provided by your boat and trailer policy.
- Check your homeowner's insurance. Ask your homeowner's insurance company if your trailer is covered while stored at home. And try not to park a boat trailer under a tree.
- Read the fine print. If you store your boat trailer at your marina or other storage facility, read the fine print in your contract as it relates to insurance. Many include language that holds these facilities harmless. Review these clauses with your insurance company to make sure you're not in danger of a breach of the insurance contract, which could result in no coverage.
- Roadside assistance. For a nominal fee, many auto insurance policies offer roadside assistance. Boat trailers, however, aren't likely to be included in the coverage and if there is a breakdown of the tow vehicle or the trailer, your boat could be left on the side of the road. Consider adding separate roadside assistance for your boat trailer. For BoatUS insurance policyholders, roadside assistance for both the tow vehicle and trailer (while towing) is included with the insured trailer. Or it may be added for $14 to any BoatUS membership. In either scenario, BoatUS Unlimited Trailer Assist will tow both a boat trailer and its disabled towing vehicle up to 100 miles.
For more information, go to BoatUS.com/insurance or call 1-800-283-2883.
- Details
(Provided by ASA)
On the day before President Obama left office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an edict to phase out the use of traditional fishing tackle on the hundreds of thousands of square miles of federal public lands under its management.
Director's Order No. 219 will, "require the use of nontoxic ammunition and fishing tackle to the fullest extent practicable for all activities on Service lands, waters and facilities by January 2022, except as needed for law enforcement or health and safety uses, as provided for in policy."
Scott Gudes, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association that represents the recreational fishing industry, issued a statement of behalf of the industry.
"The sportfishing industry views this unilateral policy to ban lead fishing tackle, which was developed without any input from the industry, other angling organizations and state fish and wildlife agencies, as a complete disregard for the economic and social impact it will have on anglers and the recreational fishing industry," said Gudes.
Gudes further said, "In the limited instances where lead fishing tackle is demonstrated to harm local wildlife populations, the sportfishing industry supports actions to minimize or eliminate these impacts. However, unnecessary and sweeping bans such as this
Director's Order will do nothing to benefit wildlife populations and instead will penalize the nation's 46 million anglers and hurt recreational fishing-dependent jobs."
Gudes concluded, "A sound, science-driven and durable policy could've been crafted with input from industry and the broader recreational fishing community. We are hopeful that new leadership at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will repeal this Director's Order and develop public policy in a way that is open, inclusive and based on science."
- Details
The Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo returns to Schaumburg, Ill. Convention Center January 26-29, creating an outdoor oasis indoors.
Whether it's testing the latest fishing and outdoor gear or learning the latest and greatest techniques, the Expo is the place to be for anyone interested in exploring the outdoors. Attendees to this year's expo will have the opportunity to improve their fishing knowledge through an extensive lineup of seminars with top-notch local and national fishing professionals, buy the newest fishing and outdoor gear and equipment from top manufacturers and retailers from around the country book a trip of a lifetime, and even browse the latest fishing boats on the market! This year's expo is THE place to be for anyone interested in the outdoors.
It features more than 100 travel-related exhibitors (including guides, lodges, resorts and regional promotion agencies), major fishing tackle manufacturers, local fishing retailers, and a diverse selection of fishing boats, attendees will be able to see, learn, touch and buy everything they need for the ultimate fishing and outdoor adventure.
An impressive lineup of seminars will be led by expert instructors and nationally recognized fishing celebrities such as Mike Iaconelli, Ish Monroe, and Seth Feider. A full listing of seminars can be found here. Show goers can also chat with and learn techniques from some of the best guides and outfitters from around the globe.
- Details
(Provided by BoatUS)
Is your boat less than 26 feet? Does it have outboard motor power and rest on a trailer?
If you said yes, beware - you're a big target for theft.
A newly released study that looked at five years of BoatUS Marine Insurance claims files shows that 75 percent of all boats stolen matched this description. With the long winter lay-up period nearing, BoatUS has five tips to make your boat harder to steal.
- Details
(Provided by MDNR)
Eastern Massasauga RattlesnakeThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday that it has listed the eastern massasauga rattlesnake as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, stating that nearly 40 percent of the snake's historical populations are now extirpated (no longer exist) and an additional 15 percent is of uncertain status.
The final rule listing the eastern massasauga appears in the Sept. 30, 2016, Federal Register and has an effective date of Oct. 31, 2016.
Under the Endangered Species Act, threatened species are considered plants and animals that may become endangered in the foreseeable future. Across the eastern massasauga rattlesnake's range, nearly 40 percent of the species' population has declined. Habitat loss is considered the primary threat driving the snakes' decline; however, as their numbers decline, other threats such as direct mortality or collection play a more significant role.