Insurance For Kiteboarding Gear. Important.

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4302 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**

I've been doing some insurance stuff lately and have found some interesting and important tidbits of information that every kiteboarder should know.

1. If your car is broken into and your kiteboarding gear stolen, your car insurance won't cover it. Coverage is left to your homeowners/renters insurance.

2. IMPORTANT: Most insurance companies now consider Kiteboarding gear to be watercraft of some type and WON'T cover loss UNLESS you have a specific rider on the policy covering such loss.

Check with your insurance carrier to make sure you're covered. If not, the additional rider to cover your gear should be very inexpensive to add.

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 246 Posts hood river Stoked

thanks,
called my agent (state farm) to ask about this.

summary:
since there is no motor, they don't consider it watercraft.

they also don't consider it a boat ($1000 limit for boats on homeowners/renters policy. that is $1000 total, not per boat). Kayaks/canoes are considered boats.

they said kites and boards would be covered under the normal limits.

One other strange insurance thing to be aware of. With State Farm, items stolen/destroyed at your place of residence, car, or off the street have full coverage. But if you take the gear into a hotel room, rental house, friends house, etc and it is stolen/destroyed there, they only cover up to 10% of the policy value. Crazy.

Interested if any other state farm agents say something different.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I called my state farm agent and they confirmed that the items would be covered just like any other item. They did note that they would be subject to my policy's $500 deductible.

As a side note don't forget to take pictures of your gear. Especially any serial numbers, not just for insurance but also for recovery like the case of the other thread from second wind sports and a guy selling a found board.

Speaking of serials. My Slingshot board has a serial on the bottom. Do kites typically have serial numbers and if so where? Do people write their names on their kites like they do boards? I know you don't lose kites but if it got stolen would having your name on it help?

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

If you happen to be in the unfortunate situation of having to fully release your kite - it may blow far, far away while you are having to deal with other stuff (like not drowning) and it may be picked up by someone else. I would thihnk having name and number might help them to return it to you.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

"...unfortunate situation of having to fully release your kite - it may blow far, far away while you are having to deal..."
And may make it easier to find the culprit! The lines on a runaway kite can be very dangerous and if you cut away you are liable!

Chipotle · Since 26 Mar 2011 70 Posts

I have been searching for additional insurance coverage for my body; gear is replaceable, I am not. I snowkite all winter, often in resort backcountry. Ski patrol will not rescue back there, so the only way out in the event of a serious accident is a heli. Furthermore, my health insurance does not have the same coverage internationally. I assume many of you have similar concerns when kiting in 3rd world countries. Does anyone have suggestions for a good policy that includes recovery/transportation insurance to good medical while kiting internationally???

Jagoqih · Since 18 Aug 2011 1 Posts New Member

Most major insurance companies would accept your kite and board under the normal insurance limit. They can also be subjected to your deductible. If you happen to damage or lose your kiteboard other than your place of residence it is only covered up to a certain cash value (normally 20%)

jasonq · Since 12 Jan 2009 246 Posts hood river Stoked

when traveling out of the country on non-business (which is always sports related), i always get health insurance for the trip. i have bought insurance from seven corners thru insuremytrip.com. its cheap, and covers emergency evac back to the us. they also have an action sports waiver you can buy for a few bucks more.

kendrickholl55 · Since 03 Sep 2011 1 Posts cabadbaran surigao New Member

guess the insurance is for inner state where you're registered in..

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped