What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

[Thajeffski]

Right now, my boat is tied to a mooring with line that is strong enough to hold a 75ft boat (mine is 20).

Today was an awesome day until the wind changed to coming from the north, at a steady 15 with gusts to 30.

I know the mooring will hold no problem, I'm worried about the line! What's funny is that even though there was no wind, I tied the line to the boat in 3 different places (Front cleat, front bow eye, side hand rail) just because I'm uptight like that.

However I sit here watching it get thrown around and can't help but wonder.. if I wake up tomorrow and it's gone. What happens? Am I out the $$..

I have whatever the standard insurance is, about 150 a year. it's a 2004 bayliner 20 ft bow rider.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Can't speak for the insurance but mine broke off a mooring last summer and I have plenty of missing paint and an ugly prop to prove it. The front line (tied to the bow eye) cut first, I think, where it rubbed against the dock every time the bow dipped down in the waves.

Just a thought but it may not be a bad idea to wrap some hose or something around the rope where it may rub on anything.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

I can 100% guarantee no one on here can answer that. Call your insurance agent.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

tie more lines. if one fails, another can back it up.
The insurance issue depends on your coverage as smokingcrater stated.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Read your policy. If that doesn't answer your question, ask your agent or call the company directly and ask them to explain.

 

[shrew]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Insurance companies insure for inland lakes and rivers and Tidal Waters. Tidal Waters will cover inland lakes and rivers, but not the other way around. You would need to discuss the coverage options with your agent who is best qualified to address your concerns.

1) Is the boat in tidal or inland waters?
2) What bodies/Types of waters are you insured for?
3) What are the 'Limits to Navigation' specified in your policy? (In other words, is your boat in a state or body of water that is covered by your insurance? For example, I cannot operate my boat in Florida as that is outside of the 'limits to Navigation' specified in my policy.
4) Does the boat carry Liability, comprehensive or both.

Typically, most policies will only include "Salvage" on a policy that is written for Tidal Waters. Most Insurance companies can add it to any policy. 'Salvage' is not typically covered in liability only policies. It can be added to Comprehensive policies, but not typically standard in policies covering inland lakes, rivers and streams (non-tidal).

Again, nobody can answer this because we have no idea what your poolicy covers. Call you agent and discuss. If the agent is not sure, request that she clarify with an underwriter from the insurance company. Then make sure your policy is properly covering your type of boating and your concerns over loss.

If your boat breaks free and drifts away, this is considered a 'Salvage' and can be very, very pricey. Frequently up to %50 of the value of the boat under the Maritime Salvage laws. Make sure you are properly covered.

I hope this calrifies some things.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

What everyone else said. That price for insurance around here would only be liability, and wouldn't cover storm damage - but it could be totally different in your area. A quick phone call will not only clear it up, but also give you a quote on coverage if you don't already have it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Question is, what do you mean by 'blown away'? Nobody's insurance (far as I know) covers that specific situation.

It's the aftermath of the event that matters. Was it never seen again? Was it damaged or sunk? Did it damage someone else's property during its 'voyage'? Did it cause ecological damage (fuel and oil spills)? Does it need to be salvaged/towed? These are the questions that your policy should answer.

My .02

 

[shrew]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Question is, what do you mean by 'blown away'? Nobody's insurance (far as I know) covers that specific situation.

It's the aftermath of the event that matters. Was it never seen again? Was it damaged or sunk? Did it damage someone else's property during its 'voyage'? Did it cause ecological damage (fuel and oil spills)? Does it need to be salvaged/towed? These are the questions that your policy should answer.

My .02

I think what he means is, is he covered if the boat drags anchor, drags or breaks free from a mooring. If there is no personal injury or damage to property (yours or someone elses) then there is little need for a claim, with the exception of whether a third party intervened and salvaged the boat. Then the question is, is the salvor being a good samaritan, or are they now pursuing compensation for their 'salvage rights'.

Again, all qustions for your insurance agent.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

I think what he means is, is he covered if the boat drags anchor, drags or breaks free from a mooring.

Far as I know, the answer to that would be NO. 'Breaking free' doesn't result in a monetary loss and I can't imagine a policy that will pay you to replace a broken mooring line (your deductible would probably be more than the cost of a line, anyway). The events that occur AFTER the line breaks could result in a reason to submit a claim, and those are the things that you want your insurance to cover.

(Was it never seen again? Was it damaged or sunk? Did it damage someone else's property during its 'voyage'? Did it cause ecological damage (fuel and oil spills)? Does it need to be salvaged/towed? )

My .02

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Well it survived the night.

FFW to tonight. The same winds are here, but from the south this time. Even though my line seemed adequate, because the boat was there in the morning... I've got the cover on and a second line tied to the bow eye as a backup.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

depending on your policy and how badly its damaged you could get a whole new boat! one of my older nieghbors that i do work for occasoinally, has a 19 foot prince craft and left it at the dock over night came back in the morning and the side was scrached and dented. long story short he got a brand new price craft and sold the damaged one to my friend. not sure how the old guy got insurence to replace his and he could sell the one that get damaged but he did.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

not sure how the old guy got insurence to replace his and he could sell the one that get damaged but he did.

Perhaps he bought it back from the insurance company.

 

[Beefer]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

I tied the line to the boat in 3 different places (Front cleat, front bow eye, side hand rail) just because I'm uptight like that.

Why would you tie off to a handrail? I'm pretty sure your insurance won't pay for the damaged handrail when it happens. That's not a proper place to secure a line.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: What if my boat gets blown away? Will insurance cover it?

Why would you tie off to a handrail? I'm pretty sure your insurance won't pay for the damaged handrail when it happens. That's not a proper place to secure a line.

went front cleat to bow eye to hand rail. Just as a third place to have it tied. Sure if it breaks the first two I guess it'll break the hand rail. who knows.