ere at BookingCentral we have been getting questions from our rental companies about the new Florida Boating Safety Act and how it will affect their business. While the law has been passed and went into effect on January 1, 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is actively working to find solutions to some key issues brought up by boat rental companies.
One of the biggest concerns is in regard to the insurance requirements for the business. The law states that rental companies must have an insurance policy that covers their business, all their motorized vessels, and the renter. Rental businesses are finding it difficult to meet this requirement as insurance companies are turning them away due to risk or offering exorbitant rates.
The fix to this issue is as simple as removing three words from the law: “and the renter.” Lawmakers appear to be on board with making that change in the next session of the legislature, which began on March 7, 2023. In the meantime, the FWC is willing to focus on education and enforcing other aspects of the law while the language around insurance is clarified.
We will continue to update this blog as we learn more so businesses can stay informed. In the meantime, drop us a line with any questions you may have about the law (call us at 1-877-220-9120 or email us at team@bookingcentral.com).
Want to see how BookingCentral is helping Florida rental companies comply with the new Boating Safety Act? Request a 20-minute demo today.
