Sailing Insurance?

[Ryan1975]

Hi all,

New to the forum and new to sailing. I haven't done much research but I'm interested calling the insurance company (USAA) to get a policy on my '72 Bristol 24 (value $800) so that in the case that I ran ashore or found the shallow point in Chaumont Bay (off of Lake Ontario in Upstate New York)

What questions should I ask?

What features should I ask for?

Any other advice?

Sailing Video for your efforts:

YouTube - Sailing in Chaumont Bay

On my friend's 36'

YouTube - Sailing on Lake Ontario

[sailingdog]

Given that your boat is less than 26' LOA, you may be able to get liability coverage for your boat under your home owner's insurance. Environmental remediation coverage is a good thing to get.

[carl762]

My first marina required $500,000 liability coverage/environmental remediation. So, with that I got insurance for that, comprehensive for the value of the boat and the motor, with rider for any attached (i.e., chartplotter, etc), and unattached equipment, $5,000 per occurrence medical. I got my policy through Safeco.

My new marina doesn't require the liability insurance, but I kept it anyway, naming the marina owner as a co-insured. $22/month.

Nice videos, and welcome to Sailnet!!! My boat's very similar to the one in the first video.

[n0w0rries]

My advice? You don't insure a $800 boat unless you're keeping it in a marina that requires liability coverage.

I mean really... sink it and after your $500 deductible you'll get $300. It would be like getting insurance for a kayak.

[sailingdog]

Considering that a keelboat that sinks and spills fuel can incur up to an $800,000 environmental remediation fine from the USCG, insuring it against that alone in usually worth doing.

A kayak generally can't cause a financial hit like that no matter what you've done with it.

Originally Posted by n0w0rries

My advice? You don't insure a $800 boat unless you're keeping it in a marina that requires liability coverage.

I mean really... sink it and after your $500 deductible you'll get $300. It would be like getting insurance for a kayak.

[carl762]

And, you don't necessarily have to have a $500 deductible. It's only about money.

[Ryan1975]

Sqildog hit the the nail on the head. I love my Bristol but I'm more scared about $30k fine for accidental beachings

[chef2sail]

No worries, thats not a smart idea. An thats like not having car insurance because you a driving a 12 year old car which is worth 1000, As SD said...environmental issues could cost hundrreds of thousands, and god forbid someone he had with him could slip, fall,,,and get mightily injured and sue you. I could understand about nat havng replacement insurance, but that is only one fraction of the insurance eveyone needs.

Dave

[svHornblower]

I don't think USAA has boat insurance on their own. I think they go through Progressive.

[rdstanley]

I wouldn't dream of not having liability insurance. We had a fire at my marina, 26 doats were destroyed. Teams are still pulling boats off the bottom. I'd hate to be on the hook for that....