Utah mandates boat insurance reporting to streamline registration compliance

The Utah Boating Advisory Council convened on February 4, 2025, to discuss significant changes in boating regulations aimed at improving safety and compliance among boaters. A key focus of the meeting was the implementation of new reporting requirements for boat insurance, effective January 1, 2025. Under this new system, insurance companies will report liability insurance status to InsurRight, which will then relay this information to local law enforcement. This change aims to enhance the ability of officers to verify whether boats are insured during inspections.

The council highlighted that previously, officers lacked the means to confirm insurance status, leading to challenges when citations were issued. The new system is designed to ensure that boaters carry proof of insurance on board, reducing the likelihood of distractions that could lead to missing documentation.

Additionally, the council discussed modifications to the notification process for boat registration and insurance compliance. Starting in April, boaters who are not registered or insured will begin receiving notification letters, a shift from the current year-round system. This notification period will run from April through October, with no letters sent during the winter months. Failure to address insurance issues could result in registration revocation and associated reinstatement fees, similar to existing motor vehicle regulations.

The meeting also covered Senate Bill 52, which expands the reporting scope of InsurRight to include various registered vehicles, ensuring that Utah residents are properly registered in the state. Lastly, Senate Bill 200 was mentioned, which pertains to watercraft amendments, although specific details were not elaborated upon during the meeting.

Overall, these regulatory changes reflect a concerted effort by the Utah Department of Natural Resources to enhance boating safety and ensure compliance among boaters, ultimately aiming to reduce incidents on the water.