Insurance Company Recommendations / Warnings

[CaptainBW]

My wife and I are narrowing the field in our choice of a new boat (most likely an Island Packet 350). One of the next things to run down is insurance. We will be cruising primarily along the east coast with plans to cruise the Great Lakes and the Bahamas in the first 2 years, and the eastern Caribbean after that. I have sailed the Great Lakes and inland lakes all of my sailing life with several bareboat trips in the Virgin Islands, and as such I do not know the things to consider/watch out for when shopping insurance for our future plans.

In addition to general guidance, I am interested in knowing which companies we should consider for this type of insurance, and any that we should steer clear of.

Thank you for your help.

[GordMay]

If they don’t reply here, you could contact our resident insurance experts Susan ('TabbyCat') or Al at International Marine Insurance Services
Here ➥ IMIS Home Page

Susan "TabbyCat" http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ycat-7368.html

or
Al Golden Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: Al Golden

[osirissail]

Basically, if you stay in USA waters and maybe short trips to the Bahamas you will find that your home owners and or auto insurance might have very attractive rates for the boat. Once you proceed beyond USA and/or Bahamas waters then usually you need to switch to "offshore" insurance handled by outfits like IMIS.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by CaptainBW

My wife and I are narrowing the field in our choice of a new boat (most likely an Island Packet 350). One of the next things to run down is insurance. We will be cruising primarily along the east coast with plans to cruise the Great Lakes and the Bahamas in the first 2 years, and the eastern Caribbean after that. I have sailed the Great Lakes and inland lakes all of my sailing life with several bareboat trips in the Virgin Islands, and as such I do not know the things to consider/watch out for when shopping insurance for our future plans.

In addition to general guidance, I am interested in knowing which companies we should consider for this type of insurance, and any that we should steer clear of.

Thank you for your help.

I can highly recommend Pantaneaus, I've found them reasonably priced and quick to sort out any claims... been using them on and off since the 80's.. the only time they'll not cover you is 'Short handed Ocean Passages'... like solo Trans-Atlantic's'... but then no one will...

[osirissail]

Generally - not always - you can find better rates by using your auto/home insurance company while you are in the US waters and Bahamas. Then as you transition to "offshore" waters there are numerous agents like IMIS, Blue Water, etc., etc., that can find coverage for your needs amongst the various insurance companies that handle "offshore" cruisers. So you might get economical coverage for the first part where you stay in US/Bahamas waters and then switch to "offshore" when you decide to depart for other areas.