Insurance required? in Cuba, Mexico Panama canal

[Mgago]

Just wondering if any of the countries from Mexico down the west coast of the Carribean to the Panama Canal require your boat to be insured?

I understand that some marinas require it but what if you almost always anchor?

Thank you in advance.

Mgago

[zeehag]

mexico requires liability insurance on boats sailing in mexico. insurance must be via a company with feet in mexico as it is worded.

[bobnlesley]

Cuba required (and checked) that you hold 3rd party libility insurance - a policy with a US company is not valid/acceptable and they'll charge you a daily rate for a local policy.
Not been in Mexico.
Not asked when we entered Panama, but both the paperwork and Admeasurer for the Canal asked whether we had 3rd party liability insurance, though our answer of 'yes' wasn't actually checked as we didn't actually show anyone the policy documents.

[mathiasben]

how does one obtain liability insurance good the world over?

[Brewgyver]

Originally Posted by mathiasben

how does one obtain liability insurance good the world over?

The short answer to that one is you can't. You can get hull coverage for your boat that is in effect all over the world, with premiums varying widely due to destination, weather history, etc. But in terms or personal liability and third party liability, and meeting the requirements of countries you are visiting, there are no absolutes. Any country can simply say that foreign policies are not considered proof of financial responsibility, forcing you to purchase coverage from an insurer in that country.

See Zeehag's post above for a prime example.

Some countries present even more challenges. Cuba requires visiting cruisers to have medical insurance, but no U.S. insurer will cover claims in Cuba due to the embargo.

[zeehag]

when checking into mexico you have a grace period of a day or so whatever is arranged with capitania de puerto to purchase mexican based liability. they send you to ace.
\ there are companies that insure internationally, mariners group, novamar and others...seems a conversation with an insurance broker would be a reasonable way to learn which companies are able to insure you in each port of call you choose.

[anacapaisland42]

If you charter/rent a boat in CUBA be sure to take their insurance, when we were there a bunch of French guys rented a big cat, turned down the insurance, wrecked the cat on a reef and weren't let off the island until it was paid for.......I sure don't blame Cuba for that!!
Bill





[QUOTE=bobnlesley;2614721]Cuba required (and checked) that you hold 3rd party libility insurance - a policy with a US company is not valid/acceptable and they'll charge you a daily rate for a local policy.

[BernBruce]

We are CAnadian, and could not find insurance for Cuba, however they do have it out of Europe. We were there 3 years in the marina with no insurance. In Mexico we had to have insurance BEFORE we arrived, which we did with a Mexican insurance company. We got 3rd party only.

[arthur.watson.1]

I purchased Mexican liability insurance online from Novamar.net. There may be other Mexican companies that do the same thing.

[Viking Sailor]

How much Mexican liability insurance coverage is required?

[laika]

Originally Posted by Brewgyver

Some countries present even more challenges. Cuba requires visiting cruisers to have medical insurance, but no U.S. insurer will cover claims in Cuba due to the embargo.

We were there 2 months ago and the initial 30 day visa (90 days for Canadians) did not come with conditions of having health insurance. However, if you were to extend your visa beyond that, you would be charged both for 30 day extension as well as retroactively for the first 30.

My speculation is that this policy allows the average tourist to come and go without the hassle of obtaining health coverage.