Boat Insurance for the Caribbean?

[SailingChance]

I currently have a sailboat insured with BoatUS. I will be sailing the US East Coast, Bahamas, Turks, Haiti/Dominican Rep. Mexico and the Central American coast en route to Colombia.

I am looking into possible restrictions with boatUS but wanted to know if anyone had info on good insurance companies for the caribbean and some of the countries I've mentioned.

Thanks,

[barboak]

We have Jackline from Markel Insurance is handled by IMIS Co. in Annapolis. It's covered us for years from the states and all over the Bahamas and Caribbean. Great to work with, give Al Golden a call.

[capta]

Sadly, I know it's excessively expensive.
It's kinda like betting against yourself, don't you think?

[colemj]

Search the forum for this topic.

We have Commandeur Insurance and they have recently paid for a lightning claim with no problems. Rates, coverage and cruising areas are best we could find for our boat.

Mark

[belizesailor]

I've used Offshore Risk Management (ORM) as a broker for a couple of seasons. Good service. Good prices. Fortunately, I have no claims experience with them.

[bobconnie]

We have bought the Ins we have from a Commerical Fishing boat Ins Broker here in louisiana, a lot cheaper then Boat US, and if we wish we can keep just Liabilty till we want or need comp or total loss, then we just call and he takes care of it and bills us ! ya might try fishing boat Ins folks to see if they can cover you, that is if there are any of them in your area. We started useing them when we bought the Defever we had for a couple of years ! and now have our ketch covered with just a phone call ! justa thought

[SailingChance]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful replies. Apologies for the delay in responding. BoatUS is worthless for anything but US. I'm working currently speaking with brokers about Jackline and a couple other options. Kinda tough because I bought the boat for one price and refit it for thousands more and havent gotten a new survey done yet. So the prices are all over the place. Oddly enough, some companies are using my auto history as a barameter (not a problem, just odd). I will update when I've made a selection.

[caradow]

Just a simple question for someone on this forum regarding Caribbean Insurance to include Cuba.
I currently have coverage for the entire Caribbean except Cuba and Haiti which is excluded in my current policy.
Does anyone know how to get coverage to include Cuba?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by caradow

Just a simple question for someone on this forum regarding Caribbean Insurance to include Cuba.
I currently have coverage for the entire Caribbean except Cuba and Haiti which is excluded in my current policy.
Does anyone know how to get coverage to include Cuba?

If you are a US Citizen and/or have a US registered boat, Cuba coverage is not going to happen.

If non-USA then no problem.

[chuckr]

check with yachtinsure.com - bill hodgens -- he did a great job for us all over the carib from usa to colombia - we changed when we wanted a 2 person crossing across the pond which we have not done yet and regret the change until we do cross -
by the way almost any company will want a survey and it is good for both you and the company

just our thoughts and opinions and what worked for us
chuck patty and svsoulmates
in trinidad for hurricane season

[Cotemar]

I second IMIS
International Marine Insurance Services.
www.imis.pro

Have used them for Four years now and the price is good

[caradow]

thanks for your answer but I am a duel national and carry a British passport as well as a US. I was hoping to go in on my British passport and acquire insurance however that may not be possible. May have to just go and take my chances. You only live once.

[sck5]

another vote for IMIS. They are brokers and can get any kind of insurance - whatever is best for you. I have Markel insurance through them.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by caradow

thanks for your answer but I am a duel national and carry a British passport as well as a US. I was hoping to go in on my British passport and acquire insurance however that may not be possible. May have to just go and take my chances. You only live once.

If you use your Brit passport and the boat is not USA registered then you might could pull that off.

I chose just to take my chances and have never regretted that decision.

[Caribsailors]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

I've used Offshore Risk Management (ORM) as a broker for a couple of seasons. Good service. Good prices. Fortunately, I have no claims experience with them.

But they have your money.

Unless you are financed on the purchase of your vessel and it is required, and if your not in the liable lie'er world, I have a hard time with insurance, .
We self insure and in the past 10 years have had one claim for $75 usd, cause I hooked a bow anchor on another vessel while backing into a slip in 20kts of wind. No Damage to his vessel but I felt bad, and bought evening cocktails and supper.
$500 usd for the port stern pushpit. Which works out to less than half of a yearly policy that says I need to be here or there during hurricane season and a named storm..even a depression is named lately.

Just me.