Watercraft Racing Insurance

Watercraft racing is a thrill for participants and spectators alike, watching powerful, high-speed vessels compete on the water. Like many thrilling things, watercraft racing is also dangerous. Any individual or business involved in jet ski racing or other watercraft racing needs watercraft racing insurance.

Insurance producers have an excellent opportunity to write more business and provide the coverage your clients need as these races gain popularity. As with any insurance we provide through Prime Insurance Company, this coverage can be customized to your clients’ needs. From individuals needing personal liability to companies that rent watercraft for races, we have an insurance product for everyone.

Understanding Watercraft Racing

There are many different types of watercraft racing, which is why customized insurance is so important.

• Closed course watercraft racing is likely the format that first comes to mind. It is set up with an on-water track, marked with buoys. There are usually a large number of riders involved, which increases the risk of injury and damage.
• Endurance and offshore racing brings riders out on long-distance competitions on rivers or larger bodies of water, including oceans. The challenge of this format is going the distance of the race versus the tight quarters and heavy action of closed-course racing. Still, there’s potential for injury or property damage.
• Freestyle racing is all about acrobatic abilities rather than speed. Freerides are similar, but with less competition — typically this is riders playing with one another in the surf. The risk of personal injury is present with both freestyle and freeride formats.
• Hydrodrags are drag races on the water, in which racers line up next to other competitors and go as fast as they can in a straight line. There is a chance of them running into one another than in a closed course, but the high speeds of hydrodrag races can be risky.

The Importance of Jet Ski Racing Insurance

Lawsuits around watercraft are not uncommon. Many have been costly. In 2021, a jet ski rider sued a speed boat owner after the jet skier was injured. The speed boat allegedly created a huge and fast-moving wake that ejected the jet skier from the craft, breaking his leg.

The lawsuit seeks $850,000 in damages. While this is not a lawsuit that stems from a race, it is still a prime example of how steep damages can be in cases involving watercraft. Any incident I

involving machines and personal injury can generate big costs and a lot of attention.

That is echoed by a 2016 lawsuit, filed after a fatal wreck during a speedboat race in Baltimore. Fourteen spectators including the estate of a deceased child were plaintiffs in the case, alleging poor crowd control, defective watercraft, and an unqualified driver. The case stems from a crash in which a speed boat veered off course and into spectators, injuring many, damaging boats, and killing the child.

The lawsuit named the sponsors of the event and the owners of the vessel, which shows how far liability can extend. Whether your clients own vessels used in racing or are otherwise involved in races – such as by providing sponsorship – they need to invest in watercraft racing insurance.

Contact Prime Insurance Company

Our partnership approach ensures that your clients get the coverage they need and that we keep you up to date with the important information. Our website has all you need to know about specialty insurance, including insurance for watercraft racing.

To connect with our Prime Insurance Company team, call us at 800-257-5590 or email at info@primeis.com.

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Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, CEO, President, and Chairman of Prime Insurance Company

Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. Prime Insurance also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are Prime Insurance can help.