Georgia Bill Requiring Boat Livery Insurance Waiting on Governor’s Signature

Boat operators, not properly insured boat rental places, will soon be held liable for injuries or damages caused by negligent operation of water craft if Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signs a bill into law.

House Bill 994 was approved by the Georgia House and Senate in the final days of the legislature last month and it is now awaiting the governor’s signature. The law would take effect immediately upon signing and would shift liability from boat rental businesses, known as liveries, to drivers of the vessels – as long as the liveries maintain a hefty level of liability insurance.

A late change to the bill raised the insurance requirement from $250,000 per person and $500,000 in aggregate, to $500,000 and $1 million.

“In order to avail itself of the protections provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, a boat livery shall not rent, lease, or charter or offer to rent, lease, or charter a vessel without first obtaining and maintaining in full force and effect a policy from a licensed insurance carrier in this state or a nonadmitted insurer through a licensed surplus lines broker that provides coverage for such boat livery against any accident, loss, injury, property damage, or other casualty caused by or resulting from the operation of a boat livery vessel,” the bill reads.

The rental place would be held liable only if it fails to ensure that the boat operator is reasonably skilled in operating the craft and is not reckless, and that the boat is in safe condition. It also must have proof of insurance displayed and available for inspection.