Where to shop for liability insurance? Canadian boat going to Mexico.

[James R]

Two types of insurance, Mexican Liability from a Mexican company and then if you want hull insurance usually get it from the country the boat is from--but must make sure limits cover the area you plan to travel and time of year.

[Shala]

Originally Posted by goat

I've used Dolphin for the last few years too. Don't know how good they are to deal with as I haven't had a claim. Generally, insurance makes you feel secure until you need it.
A good insurance company is worth their weight in gold, I'm seeing that first hand right now in Fort Mac, some companies are helping, some are looking for loop holes. You're wise in asking these questions.

goat

i was insured by dolphin and tried to put in a claim. the adjuster led me down the garden path saying everything was good but in the end they didnt come thru on a technicality that i could have avoided if i hadnt listened to the adjuster. so ..... whos to blame...good question ....one must read all the fine print and not take anyones "word".

[atkinsoa]

Hi Red Herring, We took our boat down to Mexico last October, left from Nanaimo. I bought the $800.00 Lloyds of London, liability insurance from Dolphin Insurance in Vancouver. Maybe I paid too much, but it works in Mexico. That is the Marinas accept it, the border in Ensenada accepted it.
But I haven't made a claim yet so don't really know if it works.
One thing we did have a little problem with at the Mex. border was
my Canadian Boat licence. Ensenada wanted the boat Registered, not Licenced. However, they let me in because I had my Bill of Sale with me.
The marina people were very helpful getting us through customs at Ensenada.

[Schooner Chandlery]

Originally Posted by 01kiwijohn

I needed it for mooring on buoys, and anchoring in some harbors, in Hawaii. Just called my house insurer, Allstate, and got a personal umbrella liability policy, that provides that coverage, for about $300 per year.

The Allstate umbrella policy will give you the "check in the block" liability required for harbors and such -- but read the fine print because if they do not use an underwriter used to writing marine/boat policies you may find yourself short on environmental clean up and salvage. Compare it to a REAL liability policy for recreational boats and ask specific questions about coverage and get those questions answered in writing.