AAIS is initiating a countrywide filing of its Boatowners forms, endorsements, and manual, with a proposed effective date of Dec. 1, 2008.

The AAIS Boatowners Program is the U.S. property/casualty industry's first standardized program for insuring small, privately owned watercraft. It was introduced in the early 1990s, and is now being revised for the third time.

The program allows users to insure such craft for property only, liability only, including uninsured boaters, or for property and liability. Coverage can be provided through a stand-alone policy or as an endorsement to an residential property policy.

Highlights of the latest revision include, among other things:

• The ability to write liability coverage only;

• A new "seaworthiness warranty;"

• Additional exclusions for marine-related perils and causes of liability loss; and 

• Several enhancements to the rating procedure, including an expansion in the number of rating territories, a premium credit for experienced operators, a surcharge for multiple owners, and others.

More details are available in a press release. For additional information, including tables listing Boatowners Program features and coverage for certain situations,

For information on affiliating with AAIS for use of its Boatowners Program, contact Rick Maka, director of marketing, at rickm@AAISonline.com, or by calling 800-564-AAIS.

As of mid-April, the latest AAIS terrorism endorsements have been approved in all states and territories of the U.S. The endorsements were revised to comply with the latest extension of the federal terrorism reinsurance program, enacted late in December 2007.

In addition, manual supplements revised for the same general purpose have been completely approved in all but four states, where they are still being reviewed.

In one of the states, Kansas, the supplements are already approved for all affected lines except Businessowners. Colorado, Connecticut, and Florida are still reviewing the supplements for most affected lines.