Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer insurance south of Canada?
Yes, as long as you are a Canadian citizen, we are able to add on additional coverage to insure you as far south as the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) excluding Haiti and Cuba.
Is there a self-serve option?
Yes, MD Client Centre is a great way to help you view your policy documents, make payments, and even start a claim. It also has resources that will help you find a surveyor, a marina, or access to safety tools and maintenance tips.
What is Dock Links?
Dock Links is a discount program that is currently available for Ontario residents only. Included with every MD Marine policy, you must sign up with Client Centre to save. Your membership card can be added to your digital wallet or phone. There are over 3,000 participating locations, and as a Dock Links member, you receive discounts at restaurants, online or in-store retail coupons, fuel & pump-out, and transient & lodging.
Can I use my boat in salt water?
While obtaining a quote from us or signing up for a policy we will inquire about Saltwater use. Once we are aware, we can add that coverage to your policy to make sure you are covered!
Is my trailer covered?
If you have a trailer with your boat, please be sure to advise us as we can absolutely include physical damage coverage for your trailer as well! .
Where can I store my boat for the winter?
Your watercraft can be stored in any safe commercial or private facility (including your own or a friend or families residence) within your policies navigation limits.
Locks are not required on our policy however they are always encouraged to deter thieves from helping themselves to your watercraft or accessories
What if I sell my boat? Can I cancel the policy, and will I get a refund?
We would require a signed cancellation form, by all named insurers listed on the policy, and the policy would be cancelled on a short rate basis. Depending on the number of days used in the policy, you would get a percentage of the premium back (if premium was paid in full already). There is no cancellation penalty fee.
Is this a year-round policy?
All policies offered by MD Marine are year-long policies designed to cover your boat not only on the water but on land, over the winter and in storage as well. Frequent claims that can occur in the winter include, roof collapse due to snow load, theft, vandalism and vermin damage. With MD we have you covered and are here to make sure that your boat will be covered through the winter to ensure you have a great start to the boating season!
Am I covered if my boat breaks down in the water?
Should your boat become disabled on the lake for any reason you will have coverage up to the limit listed on the policy for any of the following:
Your towing costs will be covered up to $5,000 but the nature of your breakdown will determine coverage. Included in each of our policies is coverage for emergency water services.
Please note that no deductible or claim surcharge will be applicable should we need to cover you for any of the above services.
Am I covered if I hit a rock?
Absolutely! Underwater collision is covered on our policy.
If I make a claim, will it affect my insurance premium?
It may affect your premium depending on the specifics of your policy.
Please call our office and we would be happy to review your policy with you.
Am I covered if we go tubing, wakesurfing, or waterskiing behind my boat?
Most watersports are covered under all the policies. However, you must ensure your watercraft is suitable to safely and legally participate in the activity. Please keep in mind the following exceptions to coverage of watersports. Watersports are not covered on a 2 person PWC as they do not meet the legal requirements for watersports.
You must have room on your vessel for the driver, the spotter and the person participating in the watersports activity. Wakesurfing will only be covered on boats that are equipped with engines specifically made for wakesurfing - inboard engine, jet engine or forward-facing drives. Tethered Flight is never covered.
Are my personal belongings on or inside my watercraft covered in case of theft of an accident?
Your policy includes coverage for personal effects up to $5,000 which will cover wearing apparel, fishing gear and sports equipment (special limits will apply). Please keep in mind that our personal effects coverage is secondary to your home policy.
How can I finalize my insurance?
MD Marine offers two convenient ways to finalize your policy. The easiest way to finalize is to complete our application verbally over the phone, this can be done in about 15 minutes so we can have you out on the water enjoying your boat in no time! Alternatively, our applications can be provided in a paper copy for you to fill out and return to us for processing. Please keep in mind serial numbers of your boat, trailer and the outboard motor will always be required to issue your policy.
Who can drive my watercraft?
Anyone can drive your watercraft but must have your permission, have a valid boaters license and must be of age to legally operate your watercraft and its specific horsepower.
Under our policies, for anyone to operate your boat, they must meet the following:
What will I need to have with me when I call in to set up my insurance?
When you call in to set up your insurance make sure you have the following items and information with you:
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Am I allowed to enter fishing tournaments or poker runs?
Yes, you are permitted to enter fishing tournaments or poker runs as long as you are not receiving any financial compensation for being in them.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.Does my policy cover me in storage?
Yes, your policy covers your boat on land, in water, while in transit, and in storage.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.What are my policy payment options?
Choose the option that works best for you with our flexible Payment Plans.
1. Online and telephone banking
- Log onto your bank's Internet banking website or call your bank's telephone banking number.
- Under your bill payee list, add Elite Insurance Company and enter your account number.
2. Credit Card
- Pay securely by credit card through Aviva Canada's payment portal. PAY BY CREDIT CARD HERE or call our office.
3. Pre-authorized monthly payment from your bank account
- To enroll in our monthly payment plan, complete the PAC form found in your policy documents. Complete, sign, and return to your broker, along with a sample cheque marked VOID. There will be a 3% finance fee added to the annual premium.
4. Multi-payment plan
- Your annual premium is divided into two, three or four equal payments. The first payment is due on the policy effective date. Subsequent payments may be post-dated in 30-day intervals. *If you choose any of our post-dated cheque options, please include a $10.00 service charge with your first payment.
*If you post-date your payments using online/telephone banking, we will waive the $10.00 service charge.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Emergency Towing
Included in each of our policies is coverage for emergency on water services. Should your boat become disabled on the lake for any reason you will have coverage up to the limit listed on the policy for any of the following:
- An emergency tow back to the closest marina or repair facility
- Fuel to be delivered to you including the cost of the fuel being delivered
- The cost of emergency labour to be performed at the site of disablement
Please note that no deductible or claim surcharge will be applicable should we need to cover you for any of the above services.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
What is the "Marine Assistance Program"?
With every Aviva NauticLife boat insurance policy you’ll enjoy the benefits of the Aviva Marine Assistance Program*.
Call us at 1-844-240-4151 for help on any of the following:
- Boat towing – 24/7 referral service if your boat breaks down anywhere in Canada or the U.S.
- Trip planning – Detailed 2-D or 3-D chart navigation, port plans, marine points of interest, and standardized depth, tides and currents, and more.
- Boat value/resale assistance – Get the current market value of your boat.
- Health and legal assistance – 24/7 telephone advice from healthcare professionals and lawyers anywhere in Canada and the U.S.
- Concierge services – Help for any boating questions about marinas, boat ramps, repair services, storage, licenses and permits.
*Services offered under this program are available to Elite Insurance Company watercraft policyholders. Terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions apply.
What does “Agreed Value” and “Actual Cash Value” mean?
Agreed Value and Actual Cash Value refer to the settlement basis applicable to your specific policy in the event if you have a partial or total loss, not exceeding the limit of your insurance.
Agreed Value means that in the event of a total loss no depreciation will be applied to the amount listed on your policy. In the event of any partial losses (repairs) the insurance company agrees to pay to repair your watercraft with brand new parts not exceeding the limit of your insurance.
Actual Cash Value means that depreciation is applied to all claims (partial or total), so the amount you receive will be reflective of current market value of the whole watercraft or the part that was damaged, at the time of the loss.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Does my insurance automatically renew each year?
Yes, your insurance will automatically renew each year about 60 days prior to the renewal date and there won’t be any lapse in coverage. If you wish to non-renew, your insurance policy can be cancelled by providing a signed cancellation form to us.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
What does an “All Risk Policy” mean?
An all risk policies means that if a peril is not listed as an exclusion in your policy wordings than the peril will be covered. All risk policies typically cover incidents that are sudden and accidental.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
What’s covered in the watercraft value of my policy?
The watercraft value indicated on your policy includes the machinery, equipment and electronics used to operate and maintain the watercraft. It does not include additional equipment you may have on board like downriggers, fishing tackle, trailers, etc. These additional items can be covered under separate sections of the policy.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Am I covered for hurricanes, tornadoes or windstorms?
Yes, there is coverage for hurricanes, tornadoes or windstorms. However, companies control their exposure to these types of claims by excluding areas that are prone to this type of weather. It is important to know the navigation limits of your policy as it will not respond to any claims that occur outside of this area. Extensions can be granted to cover the boat outside of the normal navigation area upon written request by you. Certain conditions apply.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
How can I reduce my premium?
Reviewing the policy with your broker is the first step to getting the best value. They can identify any optional coverage on your policy that can be removed, which may result in a premium decrease. They can also explain the value in keeping the optional coverage, which you may not have been aware of. Another option is to choose the deductible amount that is right for you. In many cases, increasing a deductible can result in a lower premium.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Do I need a survey?
One of the benefits of MD Marine is that we really are boaters. We understand the unique circumstances surrounding having a boat and have been able to provide some reasonable options regarding survey requirements to our clients.
Generally speaking any watercraft that is 20 years of age and older requires an out of water marine survey, however, some exceptions may apply.
A list of accredited marine surveyors can be found by clicking the links below.
How do I set up a policy?
The first step to setting up an insurance policy with MD Insurance is to obtain a no-obligation quote. This can be done online using the Quick Online Quote feature, or by calling our office toll-free at 1-877-627-4633. Once you are comfortable with the quote and coverage offered, it is time to set up your policy.
For your convenience MD Marine provides 2 easy options. Policies can either be set up by calling into our office or sending us a completed and signed application. With either option you will be provided with assistance along the way from one of our knowledgeable brokers. Our goal is to make the process as easy for our customers as possible.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
Do I need to insure my boat?
Boat Insurance is not currently required by law however there are many reasons why it’s most likely the best choice for you. Some examples are:
- To provide coverage if a liability claim arises. This includes injuries to people or their property caused by your boat.
- To cover damage to your boat caused by any of the covered perils. It is important to protect your financial interest.
- To satisfy requirements for your finance company or marina.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.
How can I make a change to my policy?
You can update any personal information on your MD Client Centre account. If your update requires changes to your watercraft, please call us since this may alter your coverage or premium.
To edit your contact information or to obtain your policy documents sign-in to Client Centre. If you have any further questions please give our office a call 1-877-627-4633.