Storm-Ready Your Boat: Insurance and Safety Tips for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season can come fast and hit hard. If you own a boat in a hurricane-prone area, prepping isn’t optional—it’s essential. But physical prep isn’t enough. If your insurance doesn’t cover named storms or wind damage, you could be left high and dry—without coverage when you need it most.

Here’s how to storm-proof both your boat and your insurance policy.

Physical Hurricane Prep: Securing the Vessel

These steps are the frontline of protection when a storm is on the radar:

1. Haul Out Early

If your marina is in a storm zone, pulling your boat out of the water is often the safest move. Some insurance policies may even help cover this if they include a named storm haul-out reimbursement. (Check your policy.)

2. Double Up Lines and Use Chafe Guards

Secure your boat with extra dock lines and use chafe protection anywhere lines make contact. Storm surge can drastically raise water levels, so allow slack where needed.

3. Strip the Deck

Remove everything loose or removable—canvas, cushions, sails, electronics, dinghies, antennas. Anything left out is a flying liability.

4. Disconnect and Shut Off Systems

Shut down the electrical system and close fuel lines. This reduces the risk of fire or flooding damage.

5. Document the Boat’s Condition

Take date-stamped photos of your boat from multiple angles before the storm. If you need to file a claim later, this documentation can be critical.

Insurance Prep: Don’t Assume You’re Covered

Now is the time to make sure your insurance policy is storm-ready too. Unfortunately, more and more carriers are excluding storm-related events—or silently dropping coverage for things like:

Named Storm Damage

Some policies no longer cover damages caused by officially named hurricanes or tropical storms. This could mean you’re out of luck for major events.

Windstorm Exclusions

In certain coastal areas, insurers have removed windstorm protection altogether. If a wind gust knocks your vessel into a piling or rocks it loose—no coverage.

Haul-Out Costs

Some insurers won’t help pay for hauling your boat before a storm. Others only reimburse if you meet specific requirements (like storm category or notice period).

What To Do Now

1. Review Your Policy Carefully

Check for these key terms: “named storm exclusion,” “windstorm,” “hail,” “hurricane,” “tropical storm.” Look at what’s excluded—not just what’s covered.

2. Call Your Agent and Ask These Questions:

• Does my policy include coverage for named storms?
• Am I covered for wind damage?
• Do I have any haul-out or emergency prep benefits?
• Is there any deductible difference for hurricane claims?

3. Consider Switching Carriers if Needed

Some companies, like Markel (who works directly with Sun Coast), still offer named storm coverage—even as others pull back. If your current provider doesn’t offer it, now may be the time to reach out to our team to get your set up appropriately.

Don’t Wait Until There’s a Storm Watch

By the time the news breaks about an approaching storm, it’s often too late to make policy changes. Insurers may freeze new coverage or adjustments in high-risk areas. That means you need to act before the radar lights up.

Final Thoughts

Being “storm-ready” isn’t just about battening down the hatches—it’s about knowing your policy will back you up when disaster strikes. With the right insurance in place, you can focus on staying safe—not scrambling to figure out what’s covered after the fact.