Cruiser's Insurance ?!

[brujodelamar]

Hello all,

On a whim I motorcycled from Newport, Oregon to Florida to buy a small sailboat and cruise the Keys and the Bahamas. I found the boat and am happily anchored out in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Fla. getting prepared to head out in January sometime.
Can anyone give me some advice on obtaining insurance as a cruising liveaboard? I called the company that insured my former boats and was told that they won't insure for my situation.
I would be happy with liability only. The boat isn't high dollar and I could tolerate losing her. My main concern is getting sued by some litigous fool.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Philip.

[twoblocktom]

I am planing a similar trip next year or two so I will watch with great interest your replies. Have fun and share your experiences with us to let as live the adventure with you.

[Paperbird]

Try Jon Horton at Jack Martin Associates in Annapolis. They specialize in marine policies of all sorts. No connection - but I'm a satisfied customer.

[feelsgood]

Try GJW Direct : Online Boat Insurance Quotes - GJW Direct I know they are english but they handle boats from all over the world

[s/vfootloose]

You can try BoatUS also. They insure for the Bahamas.

[AnchorageGuy]

Philip, Unfortunately most marine insurance companies will require a survey, perhaps you had it done for your purchase. Try IMIS, they typically insure cruisers. Chuck

[Hudson Force]

I keep a liability only policy for a 41' on the US East Coast for about $750/year through Boat US.

[capttman]

Don't usually need a survey for liability only policy.. Progressive is big in florida and handles that as do most companies..

[Palarran]

Joe Kolisch
Kolisch Marine Insurance
1020 Bayamo Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
Phone 305-992-3482 Fax 305-424-9358
joe@kolisch.net Yacht insurance, Kolisch Marine Insurance Home

[Cormorant]

If your boat has only an outboard kicker, many homeowners policies will give liability coverage for your boat. That's what we use. Very cheap, except for the "owning and maintaining a home" part. . . .

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

... Try IMIS, they typically insure cruisers. Chuck

CF member/adviser, Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: TabbyCat *, works for IMIS.
* Contact Susan Waters (TabbyCat) at Marine Insurance

[hellosailor]

If your boat is "old"
and your sailing resume is small
and your home is 3000 miles from where you will be cruising...

Surprise, the insurers will say they don't cover old boats, and you need "global" cruising area coverage since you are so far from your home waters. Establishing a Florida residence may partly address that.

Whoever insures your motorbike may cover small craft for existing policy holders--or may not cover it so far from home. Which leaves the real marine insurers (IMIS, etc.) as your goto guys. Each insurer will have different rules, a broker's value here is that they should know which insurers will cover you at all, instead of having to spend three days on the phone by yourself.

There are also "gotchas" like wreck removal and pollution abatement coverage that a marine broker SHOULD discuss with you, the complications of insuring a boat go beyond what auto coverage involves. A cheap policy may leave you with a landmine.