[windsaloft]

We found out early on that the insurance company very much wants to know if you are a liveaboard or not -- and when you read your policy through (and wow do you want to do that!), it is a bummer to discover after you bought it and already paid an "earned" premium. My advice -- find a good broker and work with them, honestly, to get what you need. Insurance companies don't want to make payments, and if you give them an easy out by being in clear violation, they'll take it.

I'll give my personal endorsement of my broker if you PM me -- they are on this forum, but I don't want to break the advertising rules. Frankly, the coaching and advice provided by them has ensured that I have sidestepped a number of traps, and know what to expect for different circumstances. I am not an overall fan of insurance, but am a staunch fan of my current boat insurance broker b/c I get what I need and understand the limitations, etc.

Lastly -- I do claim my boat on my local taxes for a homestead exemption -- it helps a little. Regarding federal taxes -- I paid the good accountant $80 for a thorough consultation to do it right --- and saved a lot more than that! Generally, I am a do it yourselfer, but have learned that with insurance and taxes and such, paying a good consultant repays in spades.