What Types of Surfboard Insurance are Available?
To date, there have been a variety of ways to protect and insure your surfboard. However, none of them have easily and clearly insured your board for daily use, when damage is most likely to occur. As board prices begin to rise and make it harder to swallow the purchase of a near $800 shortboard, we felt that it was time to bring another option to market. Below, we outline the different options available to you for covering your surfboard against breaks and dings, including Surfcare’s in use option for protecting your surfboard on a daily basis.
In Use Surfboard Protection - Damaged While Surfing
Let's keep things simple. What people commonly call surfboard insurance, but more appropriately named a protection plan, does just what it says it does; it protects your board. Similar to Applecare for your phone; whether you break the phone completely or damage it slightly - it’s covered. Surfboard protection plans are meant to cover your board when it’s mostly likely to get damaged; while in use. Surfcare’s protection plans cover you whether you were battling the crowds and bump another board - creating minimal rail damage, you pulled into a close-out and buckled your board or you lost your leash and your board ended up on the rocks. Surfcare is for everyday use whether you’re surfing your home break or you’re on the road.
With Surfcare you can pay a low monthly rate, in most cases under $10.00 or a discounted price if you pay for the full year at the time of purchasing your board. If you ding your board Surfcare fixes it for free. No deductibles and no rise in premiums. If you break or buckle your board, Surfcare will replace it with a 25% deductible of the originally purchased price. You can even purchase a Surfcare protection plan within 30 days of purchasing your new board right here at surfcare.co with proof of retail price on your new board receipt.
Homeowners and Renters Insurance - Damaged or Stolen While at Home or in Your Car
Homeowners and renters insurance is a decent runner up for in use protection. However, it can be complicated as there is a lot of grey area. First you will want to check and see if your covers your board;
- Without being listed or endorsed on the policy before it has been damaged
- While outside of your property - house or vehicle
- While in use
Second you will want to check and see;
- If your premium or monthly payment will increase after making a claim on your board
- What your deductible is to have your board fixed or replaced if damaged or broken
See our complete blog post on Homeowners and Renters Insurance.
What homeowners and renters insurance is good for as it relates to your surfboard is;
- Covers most types of damage that happen in your house regardless of the scenario
- If you run over your board with your car in the garage or driveway
- If your board is stolen from your property
- If it falls off its rack and is damaged
Regardless, you will still want to know how your claim might impact your premiums and deductibles.
Travel Insurance - While in Transit and In Use
Travel Insurance is temporary. It covers your board over a defined start and end date. Most travel insurance policies go beyond covering your personal property and likely cover theft, loss, cancellations, and medical expenses if you were to get hurt while surfing or if you were to hurt someone else while surfing. Travel insurance is a great move if your board gets thrashed at the airport, in transit or while in use, catching the waves of your life. But you’ll want to read the fine print and check with your insurance carrier on what it covers specifically and how much the deductibles are. Often, the deductibles will keep you from filing a claim because there’s just too much out-of-pocket expense. Ask your insurance broker, travel agent or company if the travel insurance policy covers:
- Abandoning your trip
- Cost of a delayed departure times
- Cost of a cancelled flight
- Accommodation coverage in the case of the above
- Lost personal belongings and baggage
- Damaged board during transit and possibly in use
Surfboard Rental Insurance - While In Use
Most surfboard rentals happen while on vacation via local surf shops and hotel groups. While their insurance or protection plan may not be licensed, the few extra dollars may be money well spent if you aren’t that comfortable on a board. If the person renting you the board doesn’t mention anything, make sure to ask what insurance options they provide in case the surfboard is damaged.
There is a time and place for each of the options above. Most are inexpensive when compared to having to pay to get your board repaired or having to purchase a new one completely. Make sure you’re covered!