Personal watercrafts, or PWCs, are among many adventurers’ most-wanted vehicles to own and insure using programs such as Torque Group’s GAP Protection. It’s not hard to see why. After all, there are few things more freeing than cruising through the waters of a river, lake, or ocean.
If you’re considering engaging in watersports, it pays to know what you’re looking for in and hoping to achieve with a PWC. Here, then, are 5 factors to consider before buying a PWC.
1. Freshwater or saltwater
Where you plan to ride should influence your choice of PWC. Saltwater considerably accelerates the corrosion of metals. If you’re going to see a lot of action in the ocean, it’s best to pick a PWC with a closed-loop cooling system, as said system prevents water from entering the engine.
In contrast, an open-loop cooling system lets water pass directly through the engine. A PWC with such a system will do if you prefer rivers or lakes.
2. The rider
Larger, heavier PWCs are more stable, making them ideal for beginners. They’ll also prove useful if you mean to tow rafts or wakeboarders.
Smaller, lighter, and more agile PWCs are the better option for experienced riders, as are extremely powerful PWCs capable of hitting between 70mph and 90mph.
3. Storage
To prevent water damage, you must move your PWC somewhere dry whenever it’s not in use. For this reason, you should have a dry place to store it, such as a shed, garage, or storage unit. A recreational facility can also serve as a storage area; just make sure you can afford the service and that the facility’s location is accessible.
4. Accessories
Law requires you to use a life jacket every time you ride a PWC. Depending on the types of activities you want to engage in, other accessories riders will need to include safety whistles, marine GPS units, PWC covers for storage and transport, waterproof cases for phones and other tools, dry bags, fishing gear, and others.
5. Insurance such as GAP Protection
Insurance can protect you against significant costs associated with total loss, such as when a vehicle is stolen or considerably damaged. This is why programs such as GAP Protection exist.
Guaranteed Asset Protection, or GAP Protection, will pay the difference between your loan balance and the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle should it be declared a total loss. GAP Protection is especially useful to anyone who has recently purchased a PWC, as most total losses occur within the first 6 months of ownership.
If you’d like more information about Torque Group’s GAP Protection program, please contact us at (800) 859 0590 or via email.
