insurance while cruising carribean islands

[shadowdancer]

who has insurance ? its an older boat Pearson 424 1981 do countries require it ?
would love to see a poll ? liability only ?

[Mike OReilly]

I am unaware of any country that demands boaters have insurance, but apparently some marinas do. I’ve yet to encounter this as a transient.

The only time I’ve had to show proof of insurance was for haul out at my ‘home’ marina (extended stay). But there are reports from CF members along the US east coast that even transients must show proof of insurance.

I conducted an insurance survey using CF and Sailnet members a couple of years ago. Here’s a link to the reports:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2868164

The topic comes up here fairly regularly, which is why I wanted to run the survey. It’s getting rather old now, so should probably be done again. And it doesn’t specifically address your Carribean question, but hopefully will be of some use.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by shadowdancer

who has insurance ? its an older boat Pearson 424 1981 do countries require it ?
would love to see a poll ? liability only ?

You probably won't even find any company willing to inspire you for anything other then liability.

[Paul L]

Mexico requires a Mexican liability policy - easily obtainable. As noted above, not many countries require insurance, but many marinas do.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Mexico requires a Mexican liability policy - easily obtainable. As noted above, not many countries require insurance, but many marinas do.

Thanks Paul. Good to know .

Do they check this as part of the clearing in process? Or do marinas somehow report it?

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Thanks Paul. Good to know .

Do they check this as part of the clearing in process? Or do marinas somehow report it?

Probably depends on which port you enter. They checked ours on clearance at Ensenada. If you search online for the HaHaha Mexico first timers guide you should get good info.

[gaucho]

The mexican liability thing is an absurd thing that somebody made up in the baja area. It is not written in any law that it needs to be a specific MEXCIAN liability insurance plan, it just makes no sense whatsoever. There's a few companies making a buck of this ... sounds fishy as hell (eg Novamar). The law does not say ANYTHING about where that liability policy is purchased, resides or operates.

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBib...NCM_191216.pdf

It's just more sistemic corruption with some private companies on the take. Challenge it, if you already have a third party insurance that covers you. Only this way this stupidity shall stop.

[lazydove]

third-party-insurance for french islands

[sailcrazy]

If you plan to check into a marina here in the NE Caribb, you need insurance. But getting a policy at anywhere near a reasonable rate can be a trick! It depends on where you plan to keep the boat during the hurricane season. If you're out of the box-not a problem. But if you want to "summer over" up on the hard someplace north of Grenada, or maybe Trinidad, that's a different deal. All you can do is call around, talk to every insurance broker you can find, and see what they come back with. For us, a 1989 Taswell 43 who had been covered continuously since we hit the Medd in 2011...this year was tough...after Irma and Maria! We finally found a policy I was willing to accept, but we got turned down alot, and had lots of quotes for 2x-3x what we'd paid the previous year.

[sailcrazy]

I should have also noted-the past 5 years we have "summered over" on the hard, strapped down to 2 massive buried concrete beams, on jack stands chained together, in a fenced and patrolled (7/24) yard well higher and about 300yards removed from the bay and behind mangroves, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. We road thru Irma and Maria, and only lost the windex on our masthead.

[shadowdancer]

I have boat US they declined to write me a quote for going to Mexico, belize and that area. I had a 100 ton coast guard lic but let it lapse when I moved to New Mexico 10 years ago , however I'm back, they have no problem with me going to the Bahamas . what other companies write policies for cruisers ???

[ChaseTheFun]

I know there is a person who is helping cruisers with insurance questions and providing quotes. I’m pretty sure she could probably steer you in the right direction. She has helped us in the past. Laura@legacyunderwriters.com

[Montanan]

Informative website. Provides basic guidance as to scope and types of insurance.

https://www.chubb.com/us-en/individu...insurance.aspx

[NPCampbell]

As a side note, although the OP is referring to liability insurance, many countries now require proof of medical insurance.

[sailcrazy]

FWIW, we have used Blue Water Insurance, Jupiter, Fla for the past several years. We've never had a claim, so I can not attest to how that side works. But they have found us the kind of policy we wanted, and at the best or nearly the best premium we've been able to find. Just so you know, they will (likely) require a survey. The policy we've got/had for our (now) 30-yr old Taiwan-made Taswell 43 includes hull , med, dinghy+ O/B, pers effects, uninsured boater, umbrella liability, and named storm. If you do contact them, stay on top of them! They are not always the most responsive folks on the planet!