GL: Florida Insurance

[bob Austin]

I have been using Al Golden, International Marine Insurance,  for marine
insurance for a number of years.  Al has been extremely helpful broker and
goes out of his way to find an accomidating insurance company.

Unfortunately there are still risks to boats on the hard.  Be sure that the
boat is on solid ground, concrete or tarmac.  Be sure that there are embeded
eyebolts in the ground to secure chains to prevent the boat from blowing
over--and that jack stands are chained together, and the keel is doubled
blocked.  Plus be sure that the boat will be above any potential storm surge.

For a number of years, insurance has been difficult to get for a "new" boat in
the water if the boat was longer than 30 feet or value more than $100,000.
People who already had policies often experienced marked increases in
premiums.

Even paying more premium may be cheaper than moving the boat.  But having
hurricane damage to your vessel is not a pleasant experience--and it takes a
long time to make the boat "whole"...There are boats still not restored from
Ivan 4 years ago.  You will still see some boats which were not salvaged along
the ICW in the gulf Coast.

Bob Austin