Training & Safety courses for lower insurance?

[Maddox]

We will be shopping for insurance soon for coastal cruising (West Coast initially). I've sailed all my life (racing) and chartered extensively (Caribbean & South Pacific), but now buying a 65' blue water sailboat. First insurance company I talked with asked me what courses I have taken - right now the answer is none.

So wondering what courses are viewed favorably by insurance companies?

[Seymore]

You don't say where you are.

The US Power Squadron courses are very good United States Power Squadrons® Safe boating fun thru education Find a squadron near you on the website, sign up for America's Boating Course, their basic boating course. Take the classroom course and it'll lead you in to the five core navigation courses, which are what you want. Take them in order, they're not trivial.

The Royal Yachting Association RYA - The Royal Yachting Association | RYA Yachtmaster courses are excellent.

[gamayun]

The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides a Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course (Welcome to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Official Web portal). You should be able to find a local flotilla that offers it, or just ask them, if you don't see it online. My insurance agent was able to take this certificate for a discount.

[Maddox]

Thanks for the good replies- sorry I didn't mention that by West Coast I was referring to California area. Plan to do Pacific Puddle jump two or three years from now.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF Maddox!

From what I've experienced, 1 or 10 makes no difference in the discounts offered, but CAN affect insurability... An extensive sailing resume goes a lot further...

65' eh????

Whatchya gettin'???

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Maddox.

[JK n Smitty]

The US Power Squadron and the USCG Aux courses are both good. But pretty basic. We have found that in most cases insurance companies want licensed captains on board for passage from the east coast to the caribbean. So we are getting our 6-pak licenses this year. You might just look at that if you have the time on the water to get the license.

We found a local course that is 7 weeks long and cost us about $900 each. You need to get a drug test and a TWIC card. All said and done we should be able to get the license for about $1,200 for me and $1,400 for my wife (I already have CPR, First Aid and a TWIC card).

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

[LTDsailing]

I have seen insurance companies give discounts for ASA courses - Bareboat Cruising Certification. I am sure they would also recognize the US Power Squadron and USCG Auxiliary courses. The USCG captains license should help a lot if you want to go that far.

[clyde]

many moons ago, we, me und my german wife, took the local [in seattle area] power squadron course to get 10% off our insurance! i spent 15 yrs living in, and commercial fishing in S.E. alaska, and around the seattle area, before pleasure boating...learned a lot! basically learned that most of the things i learned by the seat of my pants, what they were called!...the other course, by the us coast guard, is kind of 'micky mouse' stuf...how to tow a boat on the trailer, launch/un-launch, etc, etc...clyde

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Maddox

We will be shopping for insurance soon for coastal cruising (West Coast initially). I've sailed all my life (racing) and chartered extensively (Caribbean & South Pacific), but now buying a 65' blue water sailboat. First insurance company I talked with asked me what courses I have taken - right now the answer is none.

So wondering what courses are viewed favorably by insurance companies?

I hate to have to state the obvious, but why don't you just ask the insurance companies what courses they would like to see you take?

[belizesailor]

As mentioned, some give a discount for ASA training (which also qualifies as acceptable training for many state liscences), but it ultimately depends on the underwriters so you'll have to ask specific companies.

Experience, training, and liscencing are all taken into account.

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I hate to have to state the obvious, but why don't you just ask the insurance companies what courses they would like to see you take?

What he said...

[CLady]

Congratulations on your new boat adventure and getting ready to take the big plunge!
For what it might be worth here:
'Lots of people have captain's/6-pack licenses but not necessarily resumes showing significant on-the-water experience. Although I have a 100 ton USCG license, Safety at Sea, Boater's Safety card, Coastguard Aux. training, etc. it's the documented sea time off shore, sailing/powering experience that counts the most with my insurance company.

[SevenSeasU]

I know that International Marine Insurance Services (IMIS) gives a discount if you take Lee Chesneau's weather course and he certifies you. (weatherbylee.com).

Mark Brownhill

[Al Golden]

Mark:

We also can give up to a 10% credit on Jackline's hull coverage for SSCA "Commodores"!

Al Golden
IMIS
1-410-827-3757