Insurance to cruise

[Doug in Bermuda]

Here is the situation. I have a friend who has just closed on a 40'er currently in FL.

He would like to cruise a bit of Fl & do a Bahama trip before putting it on a ship & sending it to Bermuda next spring. This is a one time chance to cruise the boat in the US & Bahamas. Once it is in Bermuda it will never leave.

The problem is getting insurance for the next 6 months or so while getting some work done on the boat & doing a little cruising. His Bermuda marine insurance Co will cover the boat for it's transport to point of shipping & ocean freight. This is stuff they are very familiar with. They will NOT cover anything else.

Any ideas for Companys to try?

[Menzies]

State Farm.

[signmansez]

My Progressive policy allows me to buy a Bahama rider when we make the trip.

[ScarabChris]

I agree...State Farm. You can buy a 6 month policy that will cover all of Florida and the Bahamas.

[Dsaltydog]

I was with a "Lloyds" carrier and recently went to progressive. The market has opened up quite a bit since 2005. Amica is also competitive. Progressive covers me 75 miles "within shore line" full coverage. Which in essence is anywhere I can really run the boat on my fuel capacity.

[Shark1007]

Doug:

I don't think the State Farms and Allstates will cover a 40 footer. The most competent marine insurance guy I know is Ryan Johnson at Christi Marine Insurance, they have a website. They cover my 1968 41 Hatteras and my 38 Bertram. He knows the market pretty well. Most recently, I bought an old 34 Hatteras fixer upper and he was able to scrounge liability only for me. I have the boats with Travelers and the liability only with Progressive.

Good luck to your friend.

Roger

[Shark1007]

Doug:

I don't think the State Farms and Allstates will cover a 40 footer. The most competent marine insurance guy I know is Ryan Johnson at Christi Marine Insurance, they have a website. They cover my 1968 41 Hatteras and my 38 Bertram. He knows the market pretty well. Most recently, I bought an old 34 Hatteras fixer upper and he was able to scrounge liability only for me. I have the boats with Travelers and the liability only with Progressive.

Good luck to your friend.

Roger

[Shark1007]

Doug:

I don't think the State Farms and Allstates will cover a 40 footer. The most competent marine insurance guy I know is Ryan Johnson at Christi Marine Insurance, they have a website. They cover my 1968 41 Hatteras and my 38 Bertram. He knows the market pretty well. Most recently, I bought an old 34 Hatteras fixer upper and he was able to scrounge liability only for me. I have the boats with Travelers and the liability only with Progressive.

Good luck to your friend.

Roger

[thataway]

Progressive was only insuring under 30 feet and less than 100,000 value in 2006 for Florida Waters. Don't know if they have changed. I have been using International Marine Insurance in Annapolis MD--they have an excellent selection of policies for cruisers.

[Doug in Bermuda]

Thanks guys. I'll forward the suggestions on & see what he gets.

It would be a shame to have to miss what would be a trip of a lifetime because of insurance unavailablity.