Insurance, insurance, insurance

General
1

We have had our insurance with Concept Specialties for the last two year. We had three things against us:

  1. USA location,
  2. New boaters with only 10K experience,
  3. We are live aboard, no permanent residence.

We pay $16K(USD)/year. If we were not live a board, we have been quoted $6K.

As we are leaving the US in the next month and not coming back to the US, and maybe crossing the Pacific 2026…what should I expect as far as insurance?

Any suggestions on who I should contact for insurance going forward since ours expires in February?

2
  1. Pantaenius, 2 Haven Knox Johnston
3

Your premium is similar to ours.

Crossing the Pacific is expensive insurance wise - as it was explained to me its all about how easy/cheap repairs are. As you cross the Pacific things get far more remote and therefore expensive. When we reached New Zealand in our previous boat the insurance cost halved…

Try Topsail Australia.

4

Another friend said to look into these people as reliable insurers:

Kel Girdler Assistant Underwriter,
Marine Velos Insurance Services Ltd Notcutt House,
36 Southwark Bridge Road,
London,
SE1 9EU Tel: + 44 20 7929 4058 – Press Option 1

5

Where is your boat flagged?

6

Marshall Island, Bikini. We are US citizens.

7

We are just going through the renewal cycle and Kel at Velos is very responsive. We have chatted to Topsail Australia but seemed to go round in circles. MarinaShop in NZ provide better responses. Haven Knox Johnston don’t cover the South Pacific.
So we are reviewing either Velos or MarinaShop NZ - I think the underwriter is the same for both!

8

We just got a quote out of New Zealand for blue water sailing. This covers Bahamas, Caribbean for the next year. The are coming at 13K, less than Concept Specialties @ 18K that is backed by Lloyds of London. MarineShop is who is brokering it which sounded like Ian liked.

We talked to the rep in Annapolis last year and she said it is cheaper once you leave the US. We will not be coming back to the US for some time.

Has anyone had any experience with them or suggestions in making the decision?

GREAT LAKES INSURANCE SE
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9

We have been very pleased with Kerry Payne at The Marina Shop. We are full time live aboard, US Flagged, US citizens. They are competitive and responsive.