According to data released this week by the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), Hurricane Matthew did an estimated $110 million in damage to recreational boats in early October as it hammered four coastal states along the Atlantic Ocean. It appears the damage figures could've been much higher.
“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.
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.”
