Warmer Weather and Boating Safety

With our wonderful lakes and rivers in Arkansas, the warmer weather brings out the boats and other water toys. As you begin to prepare your boats for the water, remember that Arkansas law requires insurance. Also, Arkansas law provides in many instances for liability on the boat owner no matter who is driving.

All boat owners should know that under Arkansas law, in most instances, no matter who is operating your boat, the boat owner is liable for any damage or harm done to passengers or others. Ark. Code Ann. 27-101-201 states that the owner of a boat shall be liable for the negligent operation of the boat. Ark. Code Ann. Sec. 27-101-207 requires any boat with over a 50 horsepower engine or personal watercraft to be covered by a policy of liability insurance providing at least $50,000 of liability coverage per incident.

Enjoy the warmer weather and our lakes and rivers, but remember not only to clean your boat for her maiden 2015 voyage, insure her.