Coverage E on a standard HO-3 excludes liability for watercraft above certain size and horsepower thresholds. An insured who owns a 20-foot powerboat with a 90-horsepower outboard motor will most appropriately:

a.Add a Watercraft endorsement to the homeowners policy or purchase a separate boatowners policy to cover liability arising from the boat
b.Rely on the personal auto policy, because California requires auto liability limits to extend to any watercraft registered to the same household
c.Add an Earthquake endorsement to the homeowners policy, which in California extends Section II liability to any vehicle or vessel kept at the residence premises
d.Rely on the homeowners policy as written, since Coverage E excludes only sailboats and applies with no limit to any motor-powered boat the insured owns

Explanation

The HO Coverage E exclusion for watercraft removes liability coverage for boats above defined size/horsepower thresholds (the exact limits vary, but a 20-foot, 90-hp powerboat is typically EXCLUDED). The insured needs either a Watercraft endorsement (where available) or, more commonly, a separate boatowners or yacht policy that provides hull and liability coverage. Personal auto policies do NOT cover boats, and the Earthquake endorsement is unrelated.

Law Reference: ISO HO Coverage E exclusions; ISO HO 24 75 Watercraft

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