Education And Certification

[twodzusfittings]

I am currently taking an online course for basic boating which covers most topics. While applying to various insurance companies for rates, most had an option to check off for certification with a document number. What is the average discount given by insurance companies if certification is taken? I completely agree with being educated for the rules of the road, safety and enviromental topics as well as boat handling, understanding winds, etc. I have always been terrible at taking tests, but I am very capable at hands on and under the pressure of a situation, have always been in full command. Does taking a test really count for anything?

 

[KD3PC]

10-15% for most...

ask your prospective companies, or just contact them and ask...

 

[Kings Gambit]

How else can one demonstrate any degree of competence to an objective, or otherwise disinterested, observer? A test is but a sample of your total knowledge. If lucky, the test will sample disproportionately from subject areas of boating safety that you know a lot about; if unlucky, then the opposite. The surprising thing is that people can pass those tests at the 70% rate of correct answers. Would you want to get on a boat w/somebody who knew only 70% or so of what people consider important things to know for safe boating? Not me.

 

[Bill Jones]

The most bang for your buck are classes offered by the United State Power Squadron. You have to be a member (not expensive) and then the only charge for classes are materials. The navigation classes are excellent and teach the basics plus they have updated the materials to cover modern navigational aids. I received a 5% discount for each class I took.

 

[yachtsman]

About time.

For some years I have wondered why insurance companies charge such hefty premiums. Of course it isn't rocket science to understand that most claims result from skippers doing really dumb things. And guess what. I have to pay for that with increased premiums.
Not sure what it's like in the USA but down under anyone can go in and buy a 100' boat and go sailing, with insurance cover, with no boating experience.
Bring on some way of qualifying people to ensure they have the skills to operate their yacht safely.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Yup, its the same up here. The inexperienced 100' owner may be un-insurable. The insurance companies like to see 10' or less of an upgrade from the last boat you owned or your rates go way up.

 

[med2463]

The most bang for your buck are classes offered by the United State Power Squadron. You have to be a member (not expensive) and then the only charge for classes are materials. The navigation classes are excellent and teach the basics plus they have updated the materials to cover modern navigational aids. I received a 5% discount for each class I took.

Some Power Squadron classes are open to the public (non-members).