OnBoard Magazine - Issue XII - 2020 Season

SUPERIOR SERVICE That’swhere a dedicatedmarine insurer like Christi can really come to the rescue. Not only do they provide some insurer policy endorsements and enhanced coverage specifically for high quality brands like Viking Yachts, but this program provides big benefits from a service and claims standpoint. “In the event of a claim, we have direct involvement with Viking service staff and engineers,” McDowell explains. Not only is he tight with the Viking factory in New Jersey, where the individuals who originally built any given boat can help size up an issue, he also frequents the Viking Service Center in South Florida and the Bluewater network of Mid-Atlantic service yards. Direct involvement from certified electronics technicians help ensure issues can be assessed and fixed to Viking standards. “On a number of occasions, I’ve flown to the Viking Service Center to meet with an electrical engineer, service manager and captain.” All gather at the boat in the yard to help expedite a claim and repairs. The same triage services have taken place at the Bluewater Yacht Yard in Hampton, Virginia, where life-long Viking experts Earle Hall and Craig Messick oversee expert repairs by their team. “The value our Viking Yachts program brings an owner is significant,” McDowell concludes. WHERE THE WIND BLOWS Turning our attention to less acute events, a boater’s whims and plans can obviously change over the seasons of boat ownership and in life. For larger yachts owned by retirees or a well-heeled businessman, many travel long distances, summering in the North and travelling south in the Winter. Prolonging your stay in Florida or the Caribbean to extend into the summer and fall comes with extra risk, thus steeper deductibles. When adding hurricane season coverage, McDowell warns of rate increases anywhere from 25 to 100 percent, depending on your risk circumstances. For those who have always stayed close to home in the mid-Atlantic, but want to expand their horizons after retirement, you may need to do a little homework. “If a policy has a lay-up period or ‘out of commission’ requirement, that will need to be removed and you’ll want to review the navigation area if there any restrictions,” Eric says. Another scenario is that your boating activity may be slowing down and you’re looking to store or sell the boat. If you need to leave it in Florida into the summer, that could become a more expensive proposition than you were expecting. Owners with boats caught in the Caribbean when COVID-19 shutdowns started are learning this the hard way, as they struggle with the reduced options for travel north. McDowell says some insurers have been willing to extend a grace period from June 1 to July 1 for captains to leave the tropics, but that’s the extent of the leeway. Those who don’t get north of Florida (or Cape Hatteras depending on their policy) may see their hurricane and windstorm deductibles jump as much as ten-fold. Beyond those unique travel complications, the marine side of the insurance industry hasn’t seen very much upheaval due to the coronavirus. McDowell reports folks are still buying and insuring boats. Activity did drop some, but the calls remain steady. “In a summer where our activities elsewhere could be limited, going boating with your close family or limited friends will offer a welcome escape. Plus check out the low prices at the pump!” he points out. There may not be a better place to be right now than on your well-insured boat—so get out and enjoy it! An expert marine insurance agent can prove to be your greatest asset in the event of a claim. No one is more capable of looking after your Viking claim than the experts at Bluewater's Hampton Yacht Yard and the Viking Service Center in South Florida. 41 2020 SEASON