I am buying my first boat, a 1984 Hunter 25.5, and I am a few days from dropping off the check to the broker. I called my insurance company to get a quote on boat insurance, but the quote was only for complete replacement of the boat and injury liability. Is there such a thing as collision insurance for boats? What type of coverage would you recommend a newbie sailor have? Thanks, Jeremy
Boat Insurance
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Talk to Boat U.S.
Give them a call and they will give you great advice on boat insurance. Trust them. I have been insured with them for about 15 years. They don't insure anything other than boats or boat related. The Boat US membership also includes basic towing insurance, but you can buy more. At any major disasters, like hurricanes, they are usually the 1st company onsite, very organized, and they really take good care of their members. Their rates are quite good. I would not go with any insurance company who is not in the marine business. House or auto insurance are not quite like boat's, and frankly, they frequently just don't know anything about boats.
Give them a call and they will give you great advice on boat insurance. Trust them. I have been insured with them for about 15 years. They don't insure anything other than boats or boat related. The Boat US membership also includes basic towing insurance, but you can buy more. At any major disasters, like hurricanes, they are usually the 1st company onsite, very organized, and they really take good care of their members. Their rates are quite good. I would not go with any insurance company who is not in the marine business. House or auto insurance are not quite like boat's, and frankly, they frequently just don't know anything about boats.
Marine Boat Insurance
Jeremy, Rather than contacting your 'regular' insurance agent/company, consider an insurance company that specializes in Marine Insurance. Yes, you can have (probably should have) marine liability insurance coverage as part of the whole policy. Most marine (boat) insurance have coverage limits of a certain distance from land, usually 15 miles (Nautical Miles?)out. But, for a slight increase in premium, you can get coverage of 150 miles out - more if you plan any long distance voyaging. We have marine insurance thru the US Power Squadron Insurance Program - you have to become a member of a local Power Squadron (or Sail & Power Squadeon) to be able to get their insurance. The premiums were less than other marine insurance - even allowing for the annual USPS dues. Marine insurance is also available thru Boat/US, West Marine, and other companies.
Jeremy, Rather than contacting your 'regular' insurance agent/company, consider an insurance company that specializes in Marine Insurance. Yes, you can have (probably should have) marine liability insurance coverage as part of the whole policy. Most marine (boat) insurance have coverage limits of a certain distance from land, usually 15 miles (Nautical Miles?)out. But, for a slight increase in premium, you can get coverage of 150 miles out - more if you plan any long distance voyaging. We have marine insurance thru the US Power Squadron Insurance Program - you have to become a member of a local Power Squadron (or Sail & Power Squadeon) to be able to get their insurance. The premiums were less than other marine insurance - even allowing for the annual USPS dues. Marine insurance is also available thru Boat/US, West Marine, and other companies.
Give Allstate a try.
I had used several insurance companies over the 40 odd years of boating. I found the best coverage and best price at Allstate. I also had a bad clain during Hurricane Isabel and was happy with the settlement.
I had used several insurance companies over the 40 odd years of boating. I found the best coverage and best price at Allstate. I also had a bad clain during Hurricane Isabel and was happy with the settlement.
Dick's comment reminded me of something
He is right about coverage limits. Usually, the insurance covers the boat and dink in a predefined area, which is your normal cruising ground. For us, it covers the entire Puget Sound to the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the north, and the mouth of Juan de Fuca Strait to the west. If we decide to venture out to the west side of Vancouver Island, or out out (blue water), then we call them and get a temporary extended coverage for not too much money. We are also members of USPS (Power Squadron), but did not get their insurance because we already had Boat U.S. first. By the way, most insurance company will want your boat surveyed, if it didn't already have one.
He is right about coverage limits. Usually, the insurance covers the boat and dink in a predefined area, which is your normal cruising ground. For us, it covers the entire Puget Sound to the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the north, and the mouth of Juan de Fuca Strait to the west. If we decide to venture out to the west side of Vancouver Island, or out out (blue water), then we call them and get a temporary extended coverage for not too much money. We are also members of USPS (Power Squadron), but did not get their insurance because we already had Boat U.S. first. By the way, most insurance company will want your boat surveyed, if it didn't already have one.
Another option
is a rider on your homeowners insurance. Depending on how big and expensive your boat is, your best deal might be a rider on your homeowners insruance. A friend of mine in Michigan insured his '84 Catalina 30 for many years in this manner. If you don't race it or take extended trips, this may be your best bet. Steve Alchemist
is a rider on your homeowners insurance. Depending on how big and expensive your boat is, your best deal might be a rider on your homeowners insruance. A friend of mine in Michigan insured his '84 Catalina 30 for many years in this manner. If you don't race it or take extended trips, this may be your best bet. Steve Alchemist
Be careful-different states-different rules
Each state regulates insurance that can be offered, and how policies and coverages are written, within its borders, so advice you receive here from people not in New York may not be valid. In California, a pleasure sailboat less than 26ft in length powered by an outboard less than 25HP is insured for liability, and for damage up to $1000 under the owners homeowners policy. You can usually get an endorsement from the homeowners insurance company to increase that limit for a nominal amount. But, as mentioned, there are many differences in HO coverages and losses that can be seen in the marine arena. A "yacht" policy is frequently the better choice.
Each state regulates insurance that can be offered, and how policies and coverages are written, within its borders, so advice you receive here from people not in New York may not be valid. In California, a pleasure sailboat less than 26ft in length powered by an outboard less than 25HP is insured for liability, and for damage up to $1000 under the owners homeowners policy. You can usually get an endorsement from the homeowners insurance company to increase that limit for a nominal amount. But, as mentioned, there are many differences in HO coverages and losses that can be seen in the marine arena. A "yacht" policy is frequently the better choice.
Replacement Costs
Most insurance policies, in my humble experience, cover mostly replacement costs and general liability. Your broker should work with you to determine and agree upon a your boats replacement cost as the basis for your policy. They then add general liability and miscellaneous, optional and other coverage (ice damage, etc). Your state may require additional coverage similar to your auto.
Most insurance policies, in my humble experience, cover mostly replacement costs and general liability. Your broker should work with you to determine and agree upon a your boats replacement cost as the basis for your policy. They then add general liability and miscellaneous, optional and other coverage (ice damage, etc). Your state may require additional coverage similar to your auto.
Some insurance companies may not insure a boat over 20 years old. A survey will be required and may need to be resurveyed every 5 years, at least that's what I was told. Liability will be required by the marina, if that's where it will be kept. My insurance covers tows up to $500 per occurance, but I recently heard of a tow for $1200 for a 30 footer. I am covered for 15 miles off shore and to get more was less than $50. My insurance is for what the boat survyed for, actually almost $2000 more than I paid.
Uploadjoe: One thing that every boat (of any significant size)owner must have is Salvage coverage. Last year we had Progressive Insurance through USAA (USAA is absolutly the best auto insurer in the USA). But but found out that being basically a car insurance company, neither Progressive nor USAA had a clue what Salvage insurance was (we're not talking wreck removal here although you need that too). This year we are getting BoatUS insurance. It is 100 dollars cheaper and covers salvage insurance also. For more on the need for salvage ins. see the BoatUS web site. BoatUS towing insurance is separate from their boat ins.
Charter Lakes Insurance
an independent broker that writes for several companies. If you participate in club races you will need geniune marine insurance. Most homeowner rider policies do NOT cover races even though they are innocent competition. Hrrrr!
an independent broker that writes for several companies. If you participate in club races you will need geniune marine insurance. Most homeowner rider policies do NOT cover races even though they are innocent competition. Hrrrr!
Cars have wheels, boats have keels
Get a marine policy - not a car policy. Cars and boats are very different and so are the risks and costs. You will get better service from a marine insurer because they understand the issues boaters face. Water pollution from fuel spills is just one example of a costly item. Don't forget the Jones Act where your volunteer crew have unbelieveable rights against you if they are even slightly injured. Car drivers do not face anything like that liability and car insurers probably do not have a clue about the Jones Act. "A seaman who is injured or becomes sick while in the service of a vessel has a right to recover, regardless of whether the seaman or the ship's owner was negligent in the accident that caused the injury. In other words, even if the ship owner did not do anything wrong, the seaman can still recover maintenance and cure. Maintenance and cure must be paid even if the incident did not take place on board the vessel, so long as the seaman was still in the service of the ship. This is also the case if the injury or sickness is not the result of their employment. For instance, a seaman would still be entitled to maintenance and cure even if he slipped walking from the ship to a local fast food resturaunt while the ship was docked. A seaman is entitled to maintenance and cure until such time as the seaman is cured, or until everything has been done that can medically be done in the way of working toward a cure. This can include doctors, hospitalization, nursing, medicine, as well as board and lodging that is considered to be similar to what the seaman would have recieved if still onboard the ship. The injured seaman is also entitled to the wages he would have earned throughout the duration of the contract." http://www.shipguide.com/ Bonus tip: For a newbie, or just a new boat, vessel assist for towing it home when you break it or find out why it was so cheap is a very very good idea. I speak from experience. It has saved me a lot of money and time more than once. http://www.vesselassist.com I almost forgot to mention - insurance is the second oldest profession.
Get a marine policy - not a car policy. Cars and boats are very different and so are the risks and costs. You will get better service from a marine insurer because they understand the issues boaters face. Water pollution from fuel spills is just one example of a costly item. Don't forget the Jones Act where your volunteer crew have unbelieveable rights against you if they are even slightly injured. Car drivers do not face anything like that liability and car insurers probably do not have a clue about the Jones Act. "A seaman who is injured or becomes sick while in the service of a vessel has a right to recover, regardless of whether the seaman or the ship's owner was negligent in the accident that caused the injury. In other words, even if the ship owner did not do anything wrong, the seaman can still recover maintenance and cure. Maintenance and cure must be paid even if the incident did not take place on board the vessel, so long as the seaman was still in the service of the ship. This is also the case if the injury or sickness is not the result of their employment. For instance, a seaman would still be entitled to maintenance and cure even if he slipped walking from the ship to a local fast food resturaunt while the ship was docked. A seaman is entitled to maintenance and cure until such time as the seaman is cured, or until everything has been done that can medically be done in the way of working toward a cure. This can include doctors, hospitalization, nursing, medicine, as well as board and lodging that is considered to be similar to what the seaman would have recieved if still onboard the ship. The injured seaman is also entitled to the wages he would have earned throughout the duration of the contract." http://www.shipguide.com/ Bonus tip: For a newbie, or just a new boat, vessel assist for towing it home when you break it or find out why it was so cheap is a very very good idea. I speak from experience. It has saved me a lot of money and time more than once. http://www.vesselassist.com I almost forgot to mention - insurance is the second oldest profession.
Think of vessel assist as AAA towing
Depending on where you sail, and how far away from your home port, you can figure out how much towing insurance you will need. Vessel Assist is available with the Boat/US membership. I have never had the need to get towed, but it is always nice to have. Especially if I get knocked on the head and bleeding to death, and the boat dies, and my wife has to get all three of us (her, me, boat) home safely.
Depending on where you sail, and how far away from your home port, you can figure out how much towing insurance you will need. Vessel Assist is available with the Boat/US membership. I have never had the need to get towed, but it is always nice to have. Especially if I get knocked on the head and bleeding to death, and the boat dies, and my wife has to get all three of us (her, me, boat) home safely.
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