"Coastal waters"

[Dr. D]

Thought I would share a bit of information. As I am starting to venture further out than the Chesapeake Bay, I wondered about my insurance coverage. The policy is with BoatUS/Geico and states the policy is in effect in US inland waters and "coastal waters." As I could not find a statement in the policy of what is meant by "coastal waters" I called Geico. The rep took a few minutes to look the definition, which is 75 nm out from any US or Canada land as long as the vessel does not cross into the waters of another country. That works for me!

[Grith]

So based on that definition sailing 150nm to an offshore Island means you were at all times in coastal waters? That definitely works for me if correct!

[Mike OReilly]

My policy specifies 100 nm from shore, so 75 seems fine.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Grith

So based on that definition sailing 150nm to an offshore Island means you were at all times in coastal waters? That definitely works for me if correct!

As long as the island belongs to US or Canada it seems.

[Grith]

I would say at 75-100nm offshore but still in coastal waters you had better be equipped for some offshore type sailing not just coastal even if still insured as a coastal waters only sailer!
No quick duck back into safe harbour if that far out and an unforecasted weather event strikes!

[Dr. D]

Originally Posted by Grith

I would say at 75-100nm offshore but still in coastal waters you had better be equipped for some offshore type sailing not just coastal even if still insured as a coastal waters only sailer!
No quick duck back into safe harbour if that far out and an unforecasted weather event strikes!

Very true. I'm glad that when I sail from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay up to Cape May I don't have to worry about an incident and being told, "oh, you weren't covered there."

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Grith

I would say at 75-100nm offshore but still in coastal waters you had better be equipped for some offshore type sailing not just coastal even if still insured as a coastal waters only sailer!
No quick duck back into safe harbour if that far out and an unforecasted weather event strikes!

Very true. I don’t think my policy calls this “coastal.” I’d call it offshore.

[belizesailor]

What matters is your insurance company's definition, but just for reference (since the discussion seems to be headed this way): for liscencing purposes the USCG considers 200nm or less from land to be "near coastal".

[Jim Cate]

FWIW, our 3d party coverage from Nautilus (here in Australia) is good for 250 nm from the mainland or Tasmania. It can be amended by "special considerations", but I dunno what that entails.

Jim

[wrwakefield]

It is interesting to hear about other yacht cover details.

Just for comparison, our cover area is described as follows:

Navigational territory is defined as 150 miles from a safe port, harbor, or anchorage in the United States, Canada [including NW Passage], or the Pacific Coast of Mexico…

Since we currently have no ocean crossings planned, this reduces our costs and suits our current needs very well.

FWIW

Cheers, Bill

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

FWIW, our 3d party coverage from Nautilus (here in Australia) is good for 250 nm from the mainland or Tasmania. It can be amended by "special considerations", but I dunno what that entails.

Jim

If its like many insurance policies, you can get a "rider" for trips that fall outside the normally covered area. The Underwriters, who apparently lack any knowledge whatsoever of nautical things, get to decide which rider requests they will approve.

[Auklet]

The oceanographic demarcation between littoral (coastal) and oceanic ("offshore") waters is at the position of the shelf break; i.e., where the continental shelf ends and the slope begins. It varies depending on the type of continental margin, but typically it lies at or near 200 m depth. The shelf break is farther from shore along the US east coast than it is along the west coast. Something like 100+ n.mi. versus about 60 or fewer n.mi. Take the average for a general-speak insurance policy and you get about 75 n.mi. Can't ask a newbie sailor in his/her first boat to read and interpret a bathymetric chart (one not even aboard these days) marked in fathoms or meters, even with a USCG "captain's license" in some cases. Not when we are conditioned to use marketing slogans like "blue water" to talk to each other. It would be more useful to stipulate no coverge farther offshore than, say, 12 or 24 hr travel from safe harbor, without permission.

[Peeew]

That is true for master. Six pack is 100 nm

[gs41escapade]

Also, be careful to fully read the riders and exclusions, the details of which may only be referenced in the policy binder you are provided.

Our policy stated coverage for the "Atlantic Coast". Picked up the boat in Fort Lauderdale and headed north back to the Chesapeake. Along the way, circumstances (no claims) caused me to go through the tedious and tortorous process of digging out the referenced rider on navigation areas.

Lo, and behold, "Atlantic Coast" really meant only from St. John, New Brunswick south to Morehead City, North Carolina.

Caveat emptor

[JimZeigler]

Strongly suggest that you get a signed, written statement from your insurance company regarding the definition. In God we trust, all others have to put it in writing.