The best comparison uses identical vessel information, requested limits, and operating assumptions for every provider. Start with the HIN, storage ZIP, year, make, model, length, value, navigation area, use, operators, financing status, and desired start date.
Prepare one accurate vessel profile
Disclose liveaboard, charter, commercial, racing, long-distance cruising, or seasonal storage circumstances. Those details may change eligibility, required documentation, navigation restrictions, and available policy terms.
Policy comparison worksheet
| Item | What to record | Why compare it |
|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | Full policy-term price and payment fees | Compare the same term and payment schedule |
| Hull valuation | Agreed value, actual cash value, or other settlement wording | The method can materially change a total-loss settlement |
| Liability limit | Watercraft liability and included legal-defense terms | Vessel size, passengers, speed, and operating area affect exposure |
| Navigation territory | Permitted waters, seasonal limits, and trip endorsements | Coverage may be restricted outside the listed territory |
| Standard deductible | Hull and property-damage deductible | Shows the owner’s normal out-of-pocket amount |
| Storm deductibles | Wind, named-storm, hurricane, or percentage deductibles | Percentage deductibles can create a much larger owner cost |
| Towing and assistance | On-water towing, fuel delivery, jump start, and haul-out | Service limits and dispatch rules vary |
| Salvage and wreck removal | Limits, whether inside or outside hull value, and conditions | Recovery and removal can be costly after a major loss |
| Equipment and property | Trailer, electronics, fishing gear, tenders, and personal effects | Sub-limits or special documentation may apply |
| Key exclusions | Wear, corrosion, marine life, mechanical failure, racing, charter, and unattended property | Exclusions show where otherwise broad coverage stops |
Questions to ask a licensed provider
- How would a partial loss and a total loss be valued under the actual policy language?
- Which geographic, seasonal, storage, lay-up, or named-operator restrictions apply?
- How are hurricane, named-storm, wind, and haul-out provisions calculated?
- Are salvage, wreck removal, pollution liability, and emergency towing inside or outside another limit?
- Which trailer, tender, electronics, fishing gear, and personal-property items need added limits or documentation?
When you are ready to request options
This worksheet does not recommend a policy or determine whether coverage is sufficient. Use it to organize a focused conversation with a licensed provider and review the declarations, navigation territory, endorsements, exclusions, and conditions before buying.
General educational information only. Availability, definitions, limits, exclusions, navigation territory, eligibility, and policy language vary by provider and state.