Conference unifix::sailing

    I asked about insuring with Met when I put stuff together for my
    new boat. I was just inquiring while I was in getting stamps for
    the new year registration of my truck and small trailer. I was told
    then that I would have a difficult time with having one ticket on my 
    record, but in two months when it would be more than a year, to come 
    back and give it a try. 
    	As a result when I got offered a membership in BOAT/U.S. I took 
    it, primarily for the insurance. They asked about traffic tickets too.
    I'm not sure why. If Met doesn't want your money, spend it somewhere
    better.
    
    Geoff

    Last year we insured with MET and they gave me a ration of "  " because
    my wife had one speeding ticket (37 in a 30) and a 'minor' accident
    (less than $1500). They admitted that they did not consider any
    difference between power or sail.
    
    BOAT US is aware of the difference between power and sail and the rates
    reflect it. They also write an "Agreed Value" policy. Can make life a
    lot simpler. At BOAT US you deal with a marine underwriter who's only
    job is writting marine insurance. Not some under paid over worked rep
    trying to stay current on Auto, Home, Boat, RV Etc.
    
    One big reason for our going with BOAT US this year was that they were
    the ONLY insurer to have people in Charleston BEFORE Hugo got there.
    They have a very active Loss Prevention program.

Marine insurance isn't nearly as regulated as other types of insurance, 
ie, it is much more competitive. You might try calling brokers who 
specialize in marine insurance. Rates vary considerably from company to 
company, and some of the companies writing marine insurance you've 
probably never heard off. One very helpful broker is Frank Butterworth 
at John Sise and Company (603-436-1555). He found us insurance for our 
Bermuda trip. None of the many, many other broker we talked to was 
interested enough to bother. We've yet to be asked about our driving 
records. 

    I tried to insure my 30 foot pearson (22 years old) with Boat U.S.
    and they would have nothing to do with me. I forget the reason.
    We moor in Maine and neither my wife or I have ever had a traffic
    violation of any kind.
    
    Paul

    re: .4   w/regard to Boat U.S. selectivity
    
    	They may have balked at the age of your boat, only a guess though.
    	They wouldn't take me because I'm a woodie.    I think that a lot
    	of these policies are brokered to 'real' insurance companies
    	and the rules we face are rules set up to make the policy easily
    	brokered.
    
    	I wonder if sinking a former boat is more acceptable than driving
    	fast.  Speeding records should only have meaning for catamaran 
    	sailors.

    I just purchased a 1981 Alden 36 and in the process of calling
    insurance brokers got hold of Laddie Stover in Greenville S.C. and
    in the process of getting a quote, he asked me if I was a US Power
    Squadron member. When I acknowledged that I was, but didn't have my
    number he said he'd call back in 10 minutes with a quote. 
    
    I had asked for all the "insurance goodies" listed in the prior notes
    on insurance, stated value, 300K liability, accident insurance, etc.
    even got towing! He called me back with my USPS number and a quote of
    $667.00 for one year. My cruising range is Maine to Mexico. I don't
    know what others have been paying for insurance, but this was $300-$500
    less than all other quotes I received, so I took it. If you want to 
    look into it for yourself, his number is (803)271-8080. Tell him 
    Robert Cleveland sent you. Maybe he'll send me a Christmas card!
    
    Good luck,
    Robert

	I got a quote for insuring a glass 27' sloop from MetPay.  When they
finally figured that I and sailboat with an auxiliary, they quoted me a
good price. The quote was for 300k liability, $100 decuctable, 5k medical,
500$ towing and an additional 10% of the premimum for actual cost of
repair/replacement for something like a sail!!!.  This means that they buy
a new one instead of taking off depreciation.  The total came to $322,
with the repair rider costing 29$ of that.

	I'm waiting for some literature to be sent to me from MetPay, then
I'll probably cancel my current insurance which is due in October, and take
MetPay before the current sailing season get going.  I won't probably get
my prorated cost back, but the difference will go toward better coverage now.

	The above quote includes my have passed a USGA course, loran, radar,
diesel, and depth.

	I asked about the vehicle violation situation from the first note,
and they said that they consider your driving record when they first sign
you up.  If you get one speeding ticket, they wouldn't cancel the marine
insurance.  I got the feeling that if you became a habitual offender, they'd
get anxious fast.


	The local DEC MetPay marketeer didn't have the details on marine
insurance, so they directed me to the telemarketing number for Metropolitan
which is 1-800-541-8483, for what its worth.



	Dave

See Note 1201 for a discussion of the varieties of insurance available. 
A large deductible (2% of the hull value, which we have) reduces the
premium significantly. Some underwriters allow a smaller deductible for 
dinghies and liferafts -- for an addition premium, of course, but I 
think worth it.