Heading South for the Winter? Don’t Leave Your Boat Insurance Behind
Every fall, there is a migration of cruisers leaving Hampton Roads and heading down the Intracoastal Waterway toward the Carolinas, Florida, and the Bahamas.
Before you cast off, confirm that your insurance policy covers you where you are going. Many boaters discover too late that their policy stops at a line on the chart.
Understand your navigation limits
Most boat and yacht policies include navigation limits, a defined area where coverage applies. A policy written for a vessel kept in the Chesapeake Bay may only cover waters along part of the East Coast. If you have a loss outside those limits, the claim may not be covered.
Read the navigation section of your policy, or ask us to review it with you before you leave.
Why it matters for southbound cruisers
- Navigation extension – Extends coverage to waters beyond your standard limits, such as Florida or the Bahamas
- Foreign waters coverage – Needed for travel outside U.S. waters; the Bahamas and the Caribbean often require specific approval
- Named storm or hurricane provisions – Many policies set hurricane season location rules or a separate named storm deductible
- Increased liability limits – Many southern marinas require minimum liability limits and proof of insurance before you can tie up
- Additional insured for marinas – Some marinas require that they be named on your policy
- Towing and assistance – Covers towing, fuel delivery, and soft ungroundings along unfamiliar waters
- Tender and dinghy coverage – Confirms your dinghy and outboard are covered when used away from the main vessel
- Crew coverage – Important if you hire a delivery captain or crew for the trip
Pay attention to timing
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Many policies require boats to stay north of a certain point, or outside a defined zone, until a set date. Leaving too early can put you outside your coverage during the most active part of the season.
If your travel plans change, let us know before you move. Your carrier may approve a change in advance, but rarely after the fact.
What to share with your insurance agent:
- Your departure date and planned route
- Where the boat will be kept during the winter, including marina names
- Whether you plan to leave U.S. waters
- Who will operate the vessel, including any hired captain or crew
- Your planned return date to Hampton Roads
- Your hurricane plan if you travel before the season ends
Have a safe passage
Hampton Roads Insurance & Financial Services works with local cruisers to make sure their coverage travels with them. Before you head south, contact our office at 11024 Warwick Blvd in Newport News or call 757-595-9334 so we can review your navigation limits and endorsements.
