East Coast hurricane harbors

NYCAP

I have always enjoyed learning from your numerous posts, but on this item you seem to be proposing, that if it wasn't done in the past, then why do it now? Doesn't the tragedy of the Bounty, followed by catastrophe of Sandy, maybe, change the rules, in the insurer's mind at least? Dunno.

What does the Bounty rounding Hatteras in a hurricane have to do with a 50' steel trawler cruising down the coast in normal circumstances? What does Sandy have to do with anything that Andrew, Katrina, Donna, Camile and all the rest don't? What I'm seeing is insurance companies getting out of the risk business, and charging premiums for not covering anything but their own a--es. We've seen it a lot during Sandy, I'm experiencing it with my health insurance, and my homeowner's. It sounds like this company is playing with this guy, putting up roadblocks so they don't have to write the policy, but without having to refuse it (which raises questions), or give them excellent odds for denying a claim should one arise if they do write it. There are companies, in fact most, who would not ask for this. Again let me point out that we're currently moving a 56' Hatteras slowly down the coast, and the only restriction is that we can't go south of Nags Head before November 15. This will be my 28th coastal cruise and we have NEVER been asked for this information.

It's a great position to be in. Your bank requires you to carry insurance, so the insurance company can push you until you'll agree to any premium or restriction or agree to release them from liability under most circumstances. Sort of like a yacht version of No Fault insurance. In case you didn't catch it, I consider banks and insurance companies, along with their executives. the scum of the earth. And it sounds like this company is living up to that reputation.

Canadian insurer's typically don't provide coverage South of the Great Lakes or the St. Lawrence Seaway. We have clauses that exclude coverage once we cross the line. Therefore I'm not the least bit surprised by the request. They're just slightly outside their comfort zone so this is how they deal with it. When I inquired about insurance for when I do the Loop I was given an increase and instructions.

I'm Game. I was raised out of Hickam, Wheeler and timed at Schofield Barracks. I promise to deliver your ship safely (fuel restraints providing) and keep her protected from any Atlantic hurricanes. I'm your man. Tell Your insurance company all is safe in my plan. Just need a few personal days of use and I'll do this real cheap (Trust Me,e,e,e,e,e) Plus expenses.

What I wouldn't give to move a boat south or north in calm summer waters. Between November and March there was a time when I was pretty sure I wasn't coming home about 5 times a year. The odds are a lot better that I'll damage a boat running in 10' to 15' winter seas than for a hurricane to damage it in Florida.

I've seen a lot of maple leafs along the ICW and I doubt they were all subjected to that.
Maybe they need to talk with an American borker about their time down here.

In the Chesapeake, perhaps Baltimore Inner Harbor area. Several viable marinas with floating docks and HIGH piles, building provide wind protection, etc.

-Chris

This thread is getting weird ... What is the problem with providing a "hurricane plan" to an insurer?

We do it all the time for managed vessels that intend to be in Florida during the hurricane season. It is simply a matter of telling them what you will do in the event a named storm is predicted to impact the area where the vessel is operating.

It can be as simple as a single page document saying you will head in the opposite direction and seek refuge inland at a certain port. The specifics depend on where you are when the bell rings.

Otherwise, you just tell them where you are going to berth, how many lines of what size and number, and type of fenders and chafing gear.

It ain't rocket science, secret Masonic rites, or insurance company meddling in your personal affairs.

In this particular case since it was stated that the insurer wanted to know what the plan is if a named storm was predicted to impact the route, just provide a list of ports and say the boat will proceed at best speed toward the nearest one outside the predicted landfall and take measures (list them since it is a good exercise anyway) to minimize risk.

Yes, I have had to do this on many boats and it is a simple deal. Where the boat will be in a hurricane situation, how many lines and type, fenders, take off cushions and bimini top.....etc.....

On a yacht that's traveling- just put that in the advent that a hurricane is coming we will seek the most protected port available and remove canvas and double tie everything etc.

Thanks J, I was beginning to wonder if boaters in the NE think a hurrican plan is some kind of gummint conspiracy thing rather than something every boater in the hurricane zone should have tucked away in some form or another.

I was wondering the same thing. It sounds like many here would rather be told that they cant go south during certain periods instead of providing the insurance company proof of hurricane contingency planning in exchange for unrestricted travels?!?

The problem is that this is a yacht in transit. It's easy to say you plan to bring a local boat up the New River. It's an entirely different matter to cover every place you may happen to be along a 1500 mile journey in case there is not even a hurricane warning, but a tropical storm warning. A prime example was the suggestion earlier about Baltimore's inner harbor. I happen to be heading there next week and there were almost no slips available mid-week, and there wasn't even a hurricane forecast. Any plan this boat makes for the insurance company would be pure fiction and useless.

Ed it's no different than a business plan for a bank. It's just a plan to succeed. Sometimes they are accurate, most times just a shot in the dark.
But I can guarantee you no bank will loan your business a dime without one,. Hell even an honest banker will tell you that, they just want a comfort level that you've thought it through, this is really no different

I see it completely different. My bet is that if the client provides the info they'll want clarification, and when they get clarification they'll put up another roadblock. To me it looks like this company has no intention of writting the policy unless they can be relieved of most if not all liability. I wouldn't waste my time. I'd call another company.

You would rather just not take your boat below whatever Nov line dictated by your insurance company? I would rather answer the questions so that I have the ability to travel without restrictions. An arbitrary line in nc makes it a bit hard to get your yacht to ft Lauderdale in Sept with insurance, no?

That's just a matter of money. If he wants to go south of the Carolinas before November he buys a rider for his policy. No big deal. That's not what this is about. This is about the transit south and the hoops his carrier is making him jump through.

My experience was as follows:

1. I requested a quote for a policy that had no southern US geographical or calendar restrictions. (My understanding is that there are a limited number of underwriters that will provide such coverage)
2. I received the quote, subject to providing a "hurricane plan". My deductible increases significantly for any "named storm" damage, so I have an incentive to take preventative measures in the event of an approaching storm.
3. I provided a "named storm plan" that was intentionally broad. Essentially, I proposed that I would "double tie" my boat at its home port in Sarasota, if that was practical, permitted by the marina, and safe to accomplish. If the boat was away from its home port, I proposed to make reasonable efforts to have the boat hauled at its then current port, or to "double tie" the boat at its then current location. While I may well want to relocate the boat, I did not want to commit to any relocation.
4. I received no scrutiny as to my proposed plan, and was issued a policy.

I think the risk lies in proposing any plan that is overly specific, and/or that may not be readily accomplished. My primary concern would be a claim denial attributable to my failure to implement the hurricane plan that I provided at the time of my policy issuance. I did not want to be in a position where I was giving an insurer an easy route to deny a claim

If my insurer had scrutinized my plan, and required contingency plans that may not be practical to implement, I would have done something different ... either another insurer, or an alternative home port during summer/fall.

So, my recommendation is to provide a general/broad/achievable plan, that can be implemented regardless of the circumstances. If that doesn't work, PM me, and I'll get you the name of my broker and underwriter.

FWIW, the underwriter is a large, reputable entity. I take some comfort in that, although I have never had a claim, and can't speak to their claims payment reputation.

I'd add one other thought.

A hurricane safety haven is only as good as your ability to get there before everybody else. Somebody mentioned Jarrett Bay in NC. My former boat happened to be indoors, on the hard, at the JB marine complex during hurricane Irene. I was having work done, so I was lucky to be there. However, if you're not part of the "hurricane club", I wouldn't want to assume that you could get hauled during an impending storm. In fact, you're more likely to hear, "sorry, we're full, and a little busy right now".