One of hundreds of vessels that the BoatUS Catastrophe Response Team salvaged after Hurricane Matthew (credit: David Wiggin).

BoatUS Pegs Hurricane Matthew Damage to Recreational Boats at $110 Million

Hurricane Matthew, which threatened four coastal states as it corkscrewed through the Atlantic in early October, caused an estimated $110 million in damage to recreational boats, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). The national advocacy, services and safety organization suggests that in addition to the storm remaining offshore, boaters and the marine industry had a hand in lessening the damage.

“The storm moved slowly, so everyone had plenty of early warning and time to prepare. We believe that helped keep boat damage down,” said BoatUS Vice President of Public Affairs Scott Croft. Speaking about the association’s members, “Hundreds of BoatUS policyholders chose to tap into their BoatUS insurance hurricane haul-out protection, which helped make the decision to haul much easier.”

When a boat is in the path of a NOAA-named storm and a hurricane watch or warning is posted, a BoatUS insured is eligible for 50 percent of the cost of labor, up to $1,000, to have the boat professionally hauled out, prepared and tied down by professionals. If the boat cannot be hauled, the coverage also includes hiring the services of a paid captain to move the boat to a protected “hurricane hole.” Go to BoatUS.com/insurance for more information.