Insurance for documented vs not

I am very curious, is there an advantage to being a documented vessel as it relates to insurance vs not. I am in the hunt for a boat and would like to know if its worth the cost to document.

Thanks for the help,

Greg

Don't know about that but it's a lot cheaper to renew each year. As in free.

My boats have been documented, but I'm not sure that there would be a difference in a state registered boat and a documented boat for insurance. It could very well be important for financing because it would have a chain of title. It could be liened against

We have a couple of insurance pros on the site. They can tell you for sure..

(Greg- Sent a PM with info)

I dont believe so - you can check with my insurance broker who works alot with trawler owners all over the country.

I have had great luck with his prices, coverage, professionalisim and knowledge.

/www.caseyinsurancegroup.com/

Thanks for the replys, I understand that Pau Hanau sp? may be the best person to help me with this. PG free is a great price.

Calm seas,

Greg

Hola Greg,

There's no difference with regards to insurance when it comes to documented vs state titled private pleasure vessels. On the financing side, however, there is a substantial difference- having a preferred ships mortgage (documented vessel) gives the lienholder certain rights if the borrower defaults.

Thanks for the quick replies, The boat I am interested in is not documented, I will look into what is required to document.

Very easy to document. Just go to the USCG site.

Document your boat and the whole world will learn of your address.

A documented boat is easiest to travel to other countries with , and gives certain protections to the owner.

Easier to sell also as leins registered against the documented vessel are USCG public record and easy and free to locate .

Documentation is FREE and the only hassle is its slow .

FF said:

A documented boat is easiest to travel to other countries with , and gives certain protections to the owner.

Documentation is FREE and the only hassle is its slow .

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Be careful with the "easiest to travel to other countries statement". Canada and the Bahamas might let you enter with a registered boat. Not sure whether this is the law or just courtesy. State registration is not authorized for international travel and other countries will deny you entry. Documentation is the internationally accepted form for US boats.

Marty

There are some filing fees for documentation the first time...renewal /small changes are free.

Initial fee is $133, then bits and pieces depending what other documents you need or request...usually doesn't run over $200 total.

Is there a legal requirement to document a boat, size requirements.

Any reason that you would be in trouble if you did not document or withdrew your doumentation?

I understand the best reason to document a boat if you are not going to register it to a state as it allows banks to be more willing to lend money for purchase. But in Florida I can apply for a title and I am already state registered.

I am documented but just wonder if I have a state title and registration would that be good enough/better?

Phil Fill said:

The bank required the Eagle to be documented, and its registered with the state. We paid off the loan but I left it documented. Insurance companies do not care as long as they have the year, brand name, engine number and hull number listed.

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Do you have a title issued by the state? In Fl. I can get a title issued to me if I want, I wonder if banks bank would be ok with a state title? Curious really.

SCOTTEDAVIS said:

Do you have a title issued by the state? In Fl. I can get a title issued to me if I want, I wonder if banks bank would be ok with a state title? Curious really.

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Washington State requires either documentation or titling, but not both. If the vessel is documented, it must also be registered with the state.

Banks familiar with marine documentation prefer or require documentation vice being named on a state issued title- smaller banks and credit unions generally don't care either way.

If Documented, it can not have a state title issued.

Wxx3 said:

If Documented, it can not have a state title issued.

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You know that, the USCG demands that, I know that, the state even knows that...but NJ still sent me a title after they said they wouldn't...and I called them on it and they did nothing.

Go figure...but yes I remember the USCG sending notification that no state titles were supposed to happen as of several years ago.

Wxx3 said:

If Documented, it can not have a state title issued.

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Thats not correct I have attached a BoatUS web page that lists each state and its sales tax, 90 day rule and decal requirements for Documented vessels.

/www.boatus.com/gov/states/default.asp

Try this link: BoatUS - Government Affairs - State Boating Information Home

Do you think just because the chart says decal required for documented vessels followed by another line item that says Title:yes means that documented vessels get titles?

I don't think the two are related...just separate line items.

I have USCG documentation and a state issued title from Texas on the same boat.That's all I can add.

Sent from my Galaxy SIII using speech to text.so some words may not be perfect.but it's easier.

I have had 2 boats documented in TX. neither one has a Texas Title.
If you have both, it is in error on the state's part.
Did you have the Title First, then get Documented and have a copy of your original Title? If so, the Title is not valid.
Are you sure that you are not getting "Registered" confused with "Title"?