Insurance for Catamaran

[SV WELDER]

How is experience qualified and quantified? Isn’t it mostly self reported? Obviously someone who has grown up sailing isn’t going to take some sailing courses just to satisfy the insurance trolls.

[HighTemp]

Originally Posted by SV WELDER

How is experience qualified and quantified? Isn’t it mostly self reported? Obviously someone who has grown up sailing isn’t going to take some sailing courses just to satisfy the insurance trolls.

My experience has been that insurance companies will not take proof of course completion alone. In our case it was the completion of a course, sailing resume, and a letter from a USCG Captain who was also a Catamaran sailing instructor stating that in his opinion both of use were qualified to operate a vessel up to 50 feet in length. I suspect that taking the Cat course was the least relevant of the three.

[Allied39]

I have a friend who was looking for insurance. I saw another thread on CF and gave him the contact.
Highseaslowrates.com

Two days later he has insurance. He's very happy , said the guy was great and would not hesitate to recommend him.

Worth a try I suspect.

[cAmstar]

The topic is about catamarans, but is this the same for a monohaul? We're thinking to purchase a boat in about 2 years and then sail locally for 6 months before heading out to blue water. We'll pay cash for the boat. Is getting insurance on the actual boat with such limited experience impossible? Does anyone know if Canada is as expensive/strict?

[Cheyne]

We just bought our first boat, Lagoon 380, and insurance was pretty easy. I shopped around, but USAA/Progressive was the best for us. I have my home, autos and RV with them already. We won't be leaving the US/Bahamas in the next 3 years so the 100 mile restriction wasn't a big deal. I was asked for experience which I click on for under a year. For training it was a yes/no. They never asked for proof, but I have 101, 103, 104, 105 and 106.

[SeaBas]

Originally Posted by Cheyne

We just bought our first boat, Lagoon 380, and insurance was pretty easy. I shopped around, but USAA/Progressive was the best for us. I have my home, autos and RV with them already. We won't be leaving the US/Bahamas in the next 3 years so the 100 mile restriction wasn't a big deal. I was asked for experience which I click on for under a year. For training it was a yes/no. They never asked for proof, but I have 101, 103, 104, 105 and 106.

I am in the same boat. Purchasing a Lagoon 380, closing in a few weeks. May I ask how much your insurance ended up costing? Thank you.

[Cheyne]

Originally Posted by SeaBas

I am in the same boat. Purchasing a Lagoon 380, closing in a few weeks. May I ask how much your insurance ended up costing? Thank you.

$2700 when I paid for the year in full. Might be high or low. Don’t know. I choose the easy button with my current insurance company.

Cheyne

[SeaBas]

Originally Posted by Cheyne

$2700 when I paid for the year in full. Might be high or low. Don’t know. I choose the easy button with my current insurance company.

Cheyne

Is that liability only?
I just got off the phone with USAA, got a quote of 12k for hull and liability and 870 for just liability.

[Cheyne]

Full coverage for my policy. I did go with the max deductible of $5000. I have $5k sitting in an investment account for that purpose. I doubt I would file a claim with them unless forced to. I haven’t ever made a claim on my auto, RV or home in the past 35 years.

[SV WELDER]

Well that’s odd because I called progressive yesterday and was told they top out at 35’

[cAmstar]

Hi, can you elaborate? Silly question, but does that mean they don’t insure over 35’?

[Cheyne]

Originally Posted by SV WELDER

Well that’s odd because I called progressive yesterday and was told they top out at 35’

I went through USAA which uses Progressive. They did the same for my RV. They did ask for the measurements.

Cheyne

[SeaBas]

Originally Posted by SV WELDER

Well that’s odd because I called progressive yesterday and was told they top out at 35’

You’re right. Their limit is 50’, but it is reduced to 35 in hurricane prone zones. However, if you’re a USAA member, it stays at 50 even in hurricane prone zones.

[BuoyCall]

Found a couple carriers I will be working with offering coverage for liveaboards, navigation into/throughout Bahamas, sail and power boats up to 160’. Looking forward to offering their coverages. Older boats req a survey which really isn’t a bad thing. Any questions or quotes email me at frank@spacecoastinsurance.com

[justakiss]

Originally Posted by HighTemp

My experience has been that insurance companies will not take proof of course completion alone. In our case it was the completion of a course, sailing resume, and a letter from a USCG Captain who was also a Catamaran sailing instructor stating that in his opinion both of use were qualified to operate a vessel up to 50 feet in length. I suspect that taking the Cat course was the least relevant of the three.

You can also have the certified Captain sign a CG-719S form to verify your time at sea. Have the form with you and complete it before you part ways as well as it can be a challenge to try and contact previous Captains.