In the event of a total loss, your boat insurance policy may pay you based on the Agreed Value, Actual Cash Value or the Replacement Cost Value.
In explaining how these three policy forms are different, I will use a three-year-old boat, insured for $40,000 which was destroyed by fire.
Agreed Value
Agreed Value is easy. You and the insurance company agree on the value of the boat before the loss. Using our example, you would be paid $40,000.
If the current value of the boat at the time of the loss is $20,000 or $55,000, you would be paid $40,000, the Agreed Value of the boat.
Actual Cash Value
Actual Cash Value is the value of the boat at the time of the loss.
A boat insurance company will pay the insured value or the Actual Cash Value of the boat at the time of the loss, whichever is lower.
In our example, if the Actual Cash Value of the boat is $25,000, this is the most you will be paid. If the Actual Cash Value is $55,000, then you
would be paid the insured value of $40,000. The Actual Cash Value is determined by the insurance company from sources such as a used boat price
guide and other boats listed for sale.
Replacement Cost
The newest option is Replacement Cost. A Replacement Cost policy agrees to replace your boat with a new boat. You are required to purchase this
coverage when the vessel is new and the coverage is only available until the vessel is two or three years old. Our $40,000 three year old boat
has a Replacement Cost new today of $45,000. The Replacement Cost policy would pay $45,000 for a new boat. Some policies may specifically state
they will pay a percentage over the amount the vessel is insured for, 20% for example. Once the boat reaches the age where replacement cost is
no longer available, the policy form will be changed to Agreed Value or Actual Cash Value.
View complete details on partial loss.
Review our in-depth Boat Insurance Guide.
See our side by side comparison of the programs represented
by United Marine.
