What is a hurricane plan for boat insurance?

A written plan for what you'll do with your boat when a named storm threatens, such as where it goes, who moves it and how it's secured. Many Florida boat policies ask for one.

Can my marina make me move my boat before a hurricane?

Generally not. Florida law says a marina can't require you to remove your boat after a hurricane watch is issued, with exceptions for deepwater seaports and when the Coast Guard sets port condition "Yankee" (Fla. Stat. 327.59). Your slip contract may let the marina secure or move it, for a reasonable fee.

Who is responsible if my boat ends up wrecked after a storm?

The owner. The FWC treats a boat left wrecked after extreme weather as derelict, and owners of derelict vessels can face penalties. Check whether your policy includes wreck removal.

Is there a separate hurricane deductible on a boat policy?

There can be. Some boat policies have a separate deductible for named storms. Look for it on your declarations page and in the policy.

Boat insurance and hurricane plans in Florida — From Elona’s desk

Many boat policies written in Florida expect you to have a hurricane plan, and some handle a storm claim differently if you didn’t follow it. The time to know what yours says is before the season, not when the cone is over your marina.

If you own a boat here, the storm question isn’t if. It’s what your policy expects you to do, and by when.

What a hurricane plan is

A hurricane plan is simply your answer, written down, to “what happens to the boat when a named storm is coming?” Insurers who ask for one usually want to know:

Where the boat will be: hauled out and on a trailer, in dry storage, at a hurricane hole, or staying in its slip.
Who will move or secure it, and how soon after a watch or warning.
How it will be secured: lines, anchors, fenders, what comes off the deck.
What happens if you’re out of town. A captain, a marina service or a friend who knows the plan.

If your policy asks for a plan, it may also say what happens if you don’t follow it. That could mean a higher deductible, or a claim that isn’t paid in full. Read that part slowly.

What your policy may say about storms

Boat policies vary a lot here, so treat this as a list of questions to ask, not a promise of what you have:

Is there a named-storm deductible? Some policies use a separate, larger deductible for named storms. It’s a similar idea to the hurricane deductible on a home policy, but the boat policy’s own wording sets how it works.
Will it help pay to haul out? Some policies help with the cost of hauling or moving the boat ahead of a storm.
Does it pay for wreck removal? If your boat sinks or ends up in the mangroves, someone has to get it out. That can cost a lot, and it’s your responsibility as the owner.
Is there a geography or season clause? Some policies care where the boat is kept during hurricane season.

What your marina can and can’t do

Florida has a specific law about marinas and hurricanes (Fla. Stat. 327.59). In short:

A marina can’t make you remove your boat after a hurricane watch or warning is issued. The law puts people’s safety ahead of property. There are exceptions in deepwater seaports, and when the Coast Guard sets the port condition it calls “Yankee”, a marina may move a boat its owner hasn’t moved.
Your slip contract can let the marina act if you don’t move the boat yourself: it can secure it, or move it if that’s reasonable, and charge you a reasonable fee. The contract has to include a specific notice telling you this.
The marina generally isn’t liable for storm damage when it acts under that law, unless it’s negligent or acts intentionally.

So read your slip contract alongside your policy. Between them, they decide who does what when the storm comes.

Getting the boat ready

The FWC’s own advice before a storm includes hauling trailerable boats out and moving them away from tidal water. If the boat stays in a slip, double the lines, add spring lines and tie high on the pilings to allow for surge. Wrap lines where they pass through chocks, add fenders, take loose gear and canvas off, and keep the batteries charged so the bilge pumps keep running. And don’t stay aboard.

After the storm

A boat left wrecked after extreme weather counts as derelict in Florida, and the FWC notes that derelict vessels can bring criminal liability for the owner. After major storms, the agency has set deadlines for owners to remove or recover their boats. Call your insurer early, take photos, and keep receipts for everything you spend protecting the boat from more damage.

Good to know

Write the plan before June. Then make sure the people in it have a copy.
Keep your policy and slip contract on your phone. You’ll want both when the cone moves.
Tell me if the boat moves. A new marina or a new storage spot can matter to your policy.

Want me to check your storm terms?

Send me your boat policy and your marina contract, and I’ll pull out exactly what each one expects of you before a storm, and what would happen to a claim if things didn’t go to plan.

Talk to Elona