Hartge Insurance Associates - We Specialize In Your Unique Insurance Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is taken into consideration when determining my insurance premium?
Answer: We take the following information into consideration when placing and rating your boat insurance:

    Operator
  • Ownership/Operator Experience
  • Loss Experience
  • Boating courses such as Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron or Coast Guard License.
    Vessel
  • Size
  • Age
  • Type i.e. Sail/Power etc.
  • Speed
  • Fuel type Gas or Diesel
  • Marine Survey Compliance
    Navigation – Where will you be going?
    Use of Vessel
  • Pleasure
  • 6 PAC Charter
  • Commercial
  • Other

Question: What do I do if I want to extend my insured navigation area for a short period of time?

Answer: Call our office and ask for a rider for your insurance policy. We will need to know your intended navigation area and the dates you will need extended coverage. There will usually be an additional premium for this change in navigation.

Question: If I want to be in Florida or the Bahamas during hurricane season, what information will my insurance company need to know?

Answer: Due to the previous hurricane seasons, it has become much more difficult to insure a boat in Florida or the Bahamas during Hurricane Season. Most insurance companies will require the following information:

  • Mooring Location and address
  • Who will be maintaining the boat if you are unavailable
  • Hurricane Plan
Question: When do I need a survey?

Answer: Each company has their own rules for surveys. Depending on the type of use of the boat, a survey is required at different times.

  • For Private Pleasure use, you can be expected to be required to have a Out-of-Water Condition and Valuation survey by the time the boat is 8 years old and every 3-5 years after that point.
  • If your boat is used commercially (i.e. 6 PAC, Bareboat, Commercial Fishing) you may be expected to require an Out-of-Water Condition and Valuation survey after the boat is 5 years old and every 3 years after that.
  • When we are insuring your boat for the first time, (depending on the year and use of the boat), we may need a copy of an Out-of-Water Condition and Valuation survey that was prepared within the previous 12 months.
Question: Why do I need a survey?

Answer: We know this is an extra expense, but we strongly support the almost certain safety benefits a good surveyor and survey provide. Surveyors keep up on accident causes, lessons learned in construction flaws, and can improve your already safe enjoyment of your vessel. We see claims all the time that a good survey might have helped to avoid.

Question: Does my policy offer Pollution coverage?

Answer: Most of our policies include pollution coverage but if you want to be sure, please ask when insuring with our agency.