Boat Insurance for Panama Canal and South Pacific

[Ardens2]

We have a 1999 Shannon 47/52 and are planning to head to the Caribbean in a week or 2 with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association and if all goes well onto the Panama Canal and South Pacific. At present we have Boat US/Geico insurance and have obtained the waiver for the Caribbean. We are looking into a change in insurance for the Canal and South Pacific since Boat Us will not cover us past the Caribbean. We attempted a change to Markel Insurance but was denied stating our surveyor was on their list of deficient surveyors. This info is not provided prior to the $1100 survey and $550 short haul.
Does anyone know if insurance mandatory in the South Pacific (Galapacos, Marquesas, Society Islands, etc) or to cross the Panama Canal? We could go bare for that time period?
Or know of some company that covers that area?

[Paul L]

Try applying here
https://www.marine-insurance.co.nz/

[Dsanduril]

We transited the Canal a couple of years ago and at least at that time there was no requirement to carry insurance. Crossing the Pacific (but not the Galapagos) we did not have a single request for any insurance other than health insurance. That includes the Milk Run places FP, Cooks, Tonga, Niue, Fiji. Never entered a marina in any of those places.

NZ and Australia did not need insurance (but check this, I recall having seen some changes to requirements) for entry, but every marina in both countries required third-party liability cover (in Australia it was quite common to have a AUD$10million requirement - had to get a special rider). If you will spend an entire off season in either NZ or Australia your best option is probably to get local cover. We did in both places and even though we only used it for ~6 months it was less expensive than paying for international cover.

Your choice with regard to risk level and whether or not you can go without, but our general experience was that it was not required by anyone other than marinas, and then only third-party liability coverage.

[Bycrick]

I’ve been insured with Markel for years. When they told me "You need a survey this time," my next question is "Who do you recommend?"

The first time, in Mexico, the surveyor's first question was "What do you want the survey to say" I reported him to Markel well after the insurance had been renewed. The second guy was great.

[Bill Garlick]

Good afternoon, I just noticed that Paul posted our URL www.marine-insurance.co.nz This URL is active but you might like to use www.themarinashop.com We assume you are US flagged. We should be able to secure terms provided you have a current survey (no older than 12 months) and standing rigging is no more than 10 years old. Bill, Director, The Marina Shop Limited, Marine Insurance Broker