Do you keep your boat insurance active during the winter?

[Waterski-Rebel]

My boat insurance came due at the end of Sept, and I havn't gotten around to pay it yet. I am now keeping the boat in the garage, and am wondering if I should renew it, or wait till the spring.

So, I thought I should ask the everyone on tigeowners what they do.

[sparky216]

ooooh....first to vote.

[talltigeguy]

I still worry about some sort of catastrophe affecting the boat, and worry my homeowners would not cover it, but I think you bring up an interesting idea.

What scenarios are there where a boat just sitting in the garage would need insurance? Maybe if it gets stolen?

[xpjim1]

I keep my boat in a Storage condo and I keep it insured. I take it out about once a month in the offseason.

[Waterski-Rebel]

I pay the local Tige dealer to winterize the boat. But if they forget to drain something and the block freezes, I believe my insurance would cover it. Now, the likely hood of that happening, and then have it freeze inside of my garage is pretty minimal, but it's crossed my mind.

I supose if the house were to burn down, I would need insurance on it too, or if my 10 year old daughter trys to drive the expedition, and runs into it, or ??????

I would probably save $150 a year by dropping the coverage in the winter, which isn't a ton of money (3 new Wii games, or a really nice dinner with the wife), but when you watch this economy, it makes you wonder.

[Domsz06]

I pay my insurance by the yr, so yes it's always covered.

[juniors]

Had to build a garage for the boat but at least I dont have to winterize anymore

[MoneyPity]

Like Dom I pay my insurance once a year which covers the whole year. We keep in garage now but will go to a storage barn next year.

With full year coverage I don't need to worry if I tow it to my dealer in March or April or when the season around here is inactive. My Homeowners covers theft and fire when it is in the garage but zero coverage when it is outside the garage.

[dogbert]

I use my boat during the Winter. Of course, we only get Winter for a few days at a time.

[chpthril]

Poll Options
Do you keep insurance on your boat during the winter
I keep my boat in my garage, and do keep insurance on it
I keep my boat in my garage, and do not keep insurance on it
If I kept my boat in my garage, I would keep insurance on it. (I keep my boat outside)
If I kept my boat in my garage, I would not keep insurance on it. (I keep my boat outside)
I keep my boat outside, and do not keep insurance on it during the winter.

* I keep my boat outside @ my house and DO keep insurance on it. No matter where I park it, even in your garage, my homeowners or any other policy I have, other then the boat's actual policy, will cover my very expensive purchase that I dont happen to have $60K cash laying around to replace it!!!!!!


It is a very unwise move to cancel your boat policy at the end of the season. If a tree falls on it during a winter storm, if your storage facility roof falls in or is broken into and all your stuff is stolen. God forbid, you keep it in your garage and your hose burns down NO OTHER POLICY WILL COVER IT. Some companies offer a "Lay-up" type policy but you need to read the fine print VERY carefully. It could be a simple suspension of Liability and Collision during the off season in order to reduce the rate, or it could be the same as just canceling the policy and leave you with no liability and comprehensive. Comprehensive is what you really want in a true lay-up policy because it covers theft and other non-use type damage. Another thing to consider about lay-ups, if you have a nice warm winter day and the bug bites and you want to take the boat out, you're not covered because it's supposed to be Layed-up.

Disclaimer: Although I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, you still need to check with your agent who is licensed in the state where the policy is issued.

[chpthril]

Like Dom I pay my insurance once a year which covers the whole year. We keep in garage now but will go to a storage barn next year.

With full year coverage I don't need to worry if I tow it to my dealer in March or April or when the season around here is inactive. My Homeowners covers theft and fire when it is in the garage but zero coverage when it is outside the garage.

You an any others may want to double check this, most Homeowners policies do not cover things like boats, here's why: If it can have it's own policy issued per state laws, then no other policy will cover it.

Examples of thing that would not be covered by your homeowners even when parked in the garage: Car- cars have their own policy. Boat - have their own policy. Airplane - own policy. Farm tractor/construction eqip - own policy. Motorcycle/dirt bike/ATV/Jetski - most states offer a policy for.

Things that would be covered: Lawnmower, canoe/rowboat, bikes, etc.

As stated, all states can be different, but most policies are all worded very very similar. You should ask for in writing, if something is covered by another policy.

[dogbert]

You an any others may want to double check this, most Homeowners policies do not cover things like boats, here's why: If it can have it's own policy issued per state laws, then no other policy will cover it.

Examples of thing that would not be covered by your homeowners even when parked in the garage: Car- cars have their own policy. Boat - have their own policy. Airplane - own policy. Farm tractor/construction eqip - own policy. Motorcycle/dirt bike/ATV/Jetski - most states offer a policy for.

Things that would be covered: Lawnmower, canoe/rowboat, bikes, etc.

As stated, all states can be different, but most policies are all worded very very similar. You should ask for in writing, if something is covered by another policy.

Good points. All the more reason to have an agent instead of shopping online. Mine points out all these things for me and makes sure I have the right coverage. When I'm bored, I'll read the fine print and he's never steered me wrong.

BTW, aren't you one of those good hands guys?

[TRD]

I pay the local Tige dealer to winterize the boat. But if they forget to drain something and the block freezes, I believe my insurance would cover it. Now, the likely hood of that happening, and then have it freeze inside of my garage is pretty minimal, but it's crossed my mind.

I supose if the house were to burn down, I would need insurance on it too, or if my 10 year old daughter trys to drive the expedition, and runs into it, or ??????

I would probably save $150 a year by dropping the coverage in the winter, which isn't a ton of money (3 new Wii games, or a really nice dinner with the wife), but when you watch this economy, it makes you wonder.

In my case all I need is a tree falling on my carport and crusing my boat. NO insurance - NO fixing the boat. I have to much invested to worried about the $250 for the year. We don't get much snow, but we get a lot of freezing rain... This is a no brainer for me.

[TRD]

Poll Options
Do you keep insurance on your boat during the winter
I keep my boat in my garage, and do keep insurance on it
I keep my boat in my garage, and do not keep insurance on it
If I kept my boat in my garage, I would keep insurance on it. (I keep my boat outside)
If I kept my boat in my garage, I would not keep insurance on it. (I keep my boat outside)
I keep my boat outside, and do not keep insurance on it during the winter.

* I keep my boat outside @ my house and DO keep insurance on it. No matter where I park it, even in your garage, my homeowners or any other policy I have, other then the boat's actual policy, will cover my very expensive purchase that I dont happen to have $60K cash laying around to replace it!!!!!!


It is a very unwise move to cancel your boat policy at the end of the season. If a tree falls on it during a winter storm, if your storage facility roof falls in or is broken into and all your stuff is stolen. God forbid, you keep it in your garage and your hose burns down NO OTHER POLICY WILL COVER IT. Some companies offer a "Lay-up" type policy but you need to read the fine print VERY carefully. It could be a simple suspension of Liability and Collision during the off season in order to reduce the rate, or it could be the same as just canceling the policy and leave you with no liability and comprehensive. Comprehensive is what you really want in a true lay-up policy because it covers theft and other non-use type damage. Another thing to consider about lay-ups, if you have a nice warm winter day and the bug bites and you want to take the boat out, you're not covered because it's supposed to be Layed-up.

Disclaimer: Although I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, you still need to check with your agent who is licensed in the state where the policy is issued.

I agree...Chp is a great source for insurance questions. My wife has an insurance backround also so this is the 1 (and only) thing she is responsible for when it come to the boat. Well she will help me get the gear off when we come back from the lake.

[evil0ne]

Pay by the year as well so no worries there. Mine's $650 for the year which I don't think is too bad for the protection I get.