The countdown to summer is underway, and with less than 90 days to Memorial Day Weekend, boating season is right around the corner. As warmer weather approaches, professionals at Travelers are helping boaters understand ways to avoid damage to their vessel this summer by sharing the most common and costly boating incidents, as listed in the slideshow above. Related: Top 10 states for boat and other watercraft accidents & thefts Based on boat insurance claims the company received from 2014 through 2017, collisions are the most common cause of loss, making up a third of all claims. Wind and mechanical breakdown are the second and third most common causes of loss, respectively. The costliest types of claims are due to fires, boats sinking and lightning strikes. Todd Shasha, managing director of personal insurance, boat and yacht, at Travelers says that perhaps the most reassuring takeaway from this data is that many of the top causes of damage are largely preventable. Looking at the summer ahead, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, consumer spending on boats is up for the sixth straight year, which means there will likely be more traffic on the water. "No matter how many years of experience you have, it's always good to brush up on the latest boating rules and technology to help you stay safe," Shasha says. Related: Boat insurance 101 As the 2018 boat-buying season kicks into gear, Travelers recommends taking these steps to protect yourself and your investment: |

• Familiarize yourself with your boat's navigation and safety equipment.
• Always navigate within marked channels to avoid running aground or hitting submerged objects near the shoreline.
• Stay alert when approaching objects such as mooring fields, navigational buoys and marine traps set in the water. Be aware that after a storm, high tides may have carried debris into the water.
• If a storm is approaching, if at all possible, haul out your vessel and remove objects that could become airborne.

Before boating season unofficially begins over Memorial Day weekend, boaters may benefit from reviewing their insurance coverage and talking to their agent to ensure they are properly covered. For more on boating safety, visit Travelers' website for a wealth of helpful information on safety precautions and preparedness tips for boaters. Related: Top 15 boating insurance coverage issues agents and brokers need to know