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Whether you enjoy power boats, fishing boats, jet skis or sailboats, there’s nothing like being out on the water on a nice summer day.

But before you take to the water, consider the value of insuring your boating experience. Like everything else you do in life, it’s smart to have the proper coverage for your boat or watercraft.

Storm damage, boating accidents and emergencies can be dangerous and expensive. It really hits home if something happens and you don’t have adequate insurance to repair or replace your craft, or pay damage to others or their property.

According to a survey conducted by the Brandware Group, Inc. for Nationwide Insurance, one in five powerboat owners and one in three bass boat owners do not have insurance on their boat. Of those owners with insurance, 40 percent of powerboat owners and 53 percent of bass boat owners do not have collision coverage. About 35 percent of both groups don’t even carry liability coverage.

Here’s where Nationwide Insurance can help. As an OFBF member benefit, Nationwide offers a complete line of boat coverages and at reduced rates for OFBF members.

Other available discounts include those for safety course completion, multiple boat coverage, diesel fuel usage and boat coverage combined with other Nationwide Insurance policies. A nearby Nationwide agent can provide more information on boat coverage or other insurance products.

Of course, safe boating is your first step in ensuring a good boating experience. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the most common contributing factors to boating accidents involve operator inattention, carelessness or reckless operation, operator inexperience and excessive speed. Nearly 80 percent of all boating fatalities occurred in cases where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. In Ohio, 70 percent of operators of open motorboats have never completed a safety course, and just over 12 percent completed one 10 years or more ago. To protect yourself and your passengers, take a boating safety course!

The U.S. Coast Guard also reports:

• Operator errors account for 70 percent of boating accidents.

• Boating Under the Influence accounts for one third of boating fatalities.

• In 2003, 86 percent of boaters who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

• The 5,438 boating accidents reported in 2003 resulted in 703 fatalities, 3,888 injuries and more than $40 million in property damage.

• Vessel Safety Check is a free public service provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons.