HB 2008 -- Boating Liability Insurance

Co-Sponsors:  Pryor, Luetkemeyer

This bill requires the owner of any vessel registered or
operated in Missouri to purchase liability insurance or
demonstrate financial responsibility.  The bill applies to
motorboats with 25 or more horsepower, all personal watercraft
(i.e., jet skis), and sailboats longer than 12 feet.  Operating
such vessels without financial responsibility is a class B
misdemeanor, and any subsequent violation is a class A
misdemeanor.  When registering a vessel, an owner must sign an
affidavit stating he or she has and will maintain financial
responsibility with respect to each vessel owned or operated in
Missouri.  The bill sets forth the minimum amounts of coverage
required, information to be included in each insurance policy,
and the information that must appear on the insurance
identification card or proof of financial responsibility.
Insurance policies must be at least 12 months in duration.
Failing to show proof of financial responsibility to a State
Water Patrol officer upon demand is a class B misdemeanor and
knowingly displaying an invalid insurance card is a class A
misdemeanor.