Liability in canada

[GrandWood]

Seen a blurb on Facebook about a 2 mil liability insurance to moor at marinas in Canada. Anyone else know of this requirement? Is it country wide or just certain marinas, thanks

 

[SteveK]

Yes it is 2 mil min.

 

[Jeff F]

Not country wide, but increasingly common. It's largely driven by the marina's insurance, I suspect. I have 2mm on my marine policy and that's pretty standard I think in Canada.

Some clubs I've been involved with accept an umbrella liability policy in lieu of boat insurance. Not sure how widespread this is.

 

[SteveK]

My renewal last year came with 3 Mil and no increase in premium. Maybe that is a clue for things coming?

 

[Ertyqway]

One thing to keep in mind with that is: US marine insurance policies may have lower coverage limits, but also typically have much broader coverage for things which Canadian policies don't cover at all. And they are denominated in USD, not CAN. On top of that, if you have a homeowners umbrella policy, you can usually apply that liability coverage on top of your marine coverage to meet the Canadian requirements.

 

[Jeff F]

Different countries, different risks, costs and rules. There's little to be gained in making comparisons.

 

[Jeff F]

Ahh, I realize now the OP is visiting. Sorry, I thought we were talking about Canadian boats...

 

[SteveK]

Different countries, different risks, costs and rules. There's little to be gained in making comparisons.

There was little to be gained by discussing the topic. If you want to stay at a marina that wants 2 mil, then get 2 mil coverage.

 

[tiltrider1]

I have found for the most part that they don't ask transient boats about coverage. Some where this summer a marina asked me if I had 2 mil, I said yes and that was the end of the conversation. I'm not really sure what my coverage is but after my umbrella I am good to 10 mil.

 

[O C Diver]

Can't think of a transient marina in the USA or Canada that ever asked me for liability insurance or requested a document as proof.

Ted

 

[BruceK]

Different countries, different risks, costs and rules. There's little to be gained in making comparisons.

So I probably should not mention that in Australia, the common cover amount is $10M. AU of course.

 

[drewread]

Can't think of a transient marina in the USA or Canada that ever asked me for liability insurance or requested a document as proof.

Ted

Most, if not all, marinas I went to as a transient last summer along the Trent Severn and Rideau asked for proof of insurance.

 

[CaptTom]

I don't recall ever showing proof, but I think I've been asked, and I'm sure I've seen the requirement to show proof of insurance in the rules at some transient marinas.

One of the "features" of Dockwa is you can upload a copy of your insurance declarations page to your boat profile, so marinas can see it when you request a transient slip. Not sure how many marinas are actively looking at this, but if it starts being enforced this could be handy for both the boater and the marina.

 

[luna]

Any particular Marina's requirements for insurance and how those requirements were developed you have no ability to influence.
Additionally, I don't think there is a Statutory requirement in Canada to even have liability insurance.

What does exist in Canadian Maritime Law is a monetary limit on the liability for the owners of small boats. This limit, $ 750k for property damage & $1,500k for personal injury, does not include among other things, interest, legal awards or wreck removal.

This liability limit, totalling $ 2,250k ++ is likely why most Canadian insurers offer a minimum liability coverage of $ 3 million.

Any foreign boater while in Canada is also protected by this limit, but they would be self insuring any shortfall of their current liability coverage.
If the Marina wants your business, it's up to the Marina to accept you as a customer.

 

[Shrew]

Some clubs I've been involved with accept an umbrella liability policy in lieu of boat insurance. Not sure how widespread this is.

It shouldn't be 'in lieu of' but rather in addition to. Most Umbrella policies extend an existing liability policy and usually require the primary policy be exhausted first. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I would be surprised if an existing umbrella policy kick in where a primary liability policy didn't already exist.

TLDR, relying on a umbrella policy to cover boat liability in lieu of a boat liability policy is strongly discouraged and you should talk to your insurance agent about coverage.

 

[C lectric]

For many years I carried 2 mil insurance. The last years insurance was 3 mil but at my choice.

Now it's nothing as we sold the bateau and will be land lubbers in the future.

 

[Jeff F]

My renewal last year came with 3 Mil and no increase in premium. Maybe that is a clue for things coming?

Just noticed that mine's $3m as well. $127 for liability, not sure how it compares to previous, but cheap enough!

 

[Neil H]

My Yacht club in Vancouver requires $2.5 million DCYC and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority the same for my water lease .

 

[Slider70]

Many marines on the west coast of Canada require liability and wreck removal coverage if you are a permanent berth holder. Some require proof that you have it while others just accept your word but require the name of the policy supplier. I suspect they then can get this confermation themselves?

However, I have never been asked for this unless in my home port.

 

[rgreno]

Seen a blurb on Facebook about a 2 mil liability insurance to moor at marinas in Canada. Anyone else know of this requirement? Is it country wide or just certain marinas, thanks

My liability in British Columbia canada is now $5million

 

[GrandWood]

Thank you all for your input, much appreciated.

I’m back at my boat, and went to State Farm today to up my liability to 2mil, and the max that they provide is 1mil. So guess I won’t be tied up in Canada this season

 

[Nordlys]

Seen a blurb on Facebook about a 2 mil liability insurance to moor at marinas in Canada. Anyone else know of this requirement? Is it country wide or just certain marinas, thanks

In the Pacific coast in Canada-there have been a number of incidents of fires due to exploding propane tanks and also to poor condition power cords. (And fuel leaks) Nanaimo a few years back comes to mind where 4-5 boats were heavily damaged as well as the docks. Now all marinas requires you have the liability coverage (and proof of it) whether they ask or not—I have only been asked 1 out 4 times. Clubs are stricter as they have a membership roster—at Royal Victoria Yacht Club we have to submit proof of the liability insurance each year. I have done the Umbrella coverage with two boats and many vehicles and a camper and a house etc etc. Cheaper that way—so I submit two documents as proof.
You can self insure your boat itself but need a liability policy.

 

[Cartouche]

Seen a blurb on Facebook about a 2 mil liability insurance to moor at marinas in Canada. Anyone else know of this requirement? Is it country wide or just certain marinas, thanks

Yes it is 2 million

 

[greg_c]

Legit curious how this works for US flagged vessels in transit who normally have much lower limits?

 

[GrandWood]

Legit curious how this works for US flagged vessels in transit who normally have much lower limits?

Looks like we will have to anchor out and dinghy in. Most likely the most popular marinas, those out in the boonies might be less likely to demand it.

 

[Portage_Bay]

I have yet to be asked to show proof of insurance in BC. If asked I'd have to leave because I don't have $2 mil liability.

 

[ksanders]

On the west coast of the US, I have been routinely asked to provide proof of liability insurance.

In Canada we have a slip at Ship Point in Victoria for the winter, and were required to provide proof of 2m canadian liability.

Our US based yacht policy was I think 1m so we made a quick call to our insurance agent and he had the limit raised to 2m USD. This cost I think a couple hundred dollars.

 

[GrandWood]

The Canadian Government has upwardly revised the maximum liability limit for maritime claims that arise on any distinct occasion (subject to a whole bunch of conditions) to $2,250,000 CAD.

I think the last time $2,250,000 CAD was worth $1,476,000 USD was some time in February of 2003.

Today, a US Mariner would need about $1,600,000 of USD liability coverage to meet the Canadian liability limit.

So what does that mean, I can’t cruise around Canadian waters with out it as a U.S. boater? I have State Farm and 1mil liability is as high as my agent goes.

Do they check that when you go to port of entry

 

[Portage_Bay]

Looks like I'd better get my liability coverage increased and carry proof. Last summer we stayed at numerous marinas from Port Sidney north never being asked to show proof. That does not mean I should not have the proper coverage. I don't want to be on the hook for the difference between my $1 mil USD coverage and the $2,250,000 CAD Luna quotes in post #29. No matter how favorable the exchange rate it's gonna hurt.

 

[Portage_Bay]

So what does that mean, I can’t cruise around Canadian waters with out it as a U.S. boater? I have State Farm and 1mil liability is as high as my agent goes.

Do they check that when you go to port of entry

GW,

Please see my post #34. I've never been asked for proof. That does not mean I cruise to Canadian marinas risk free. To get the coverage find a different agent. Pau Hana (Peter Ricks) here on TF is highly respected. I can also recommend Scot Buchanan at North Cascades Insurance in Anacortes who covers my boat. And John Norton at American Family in Ballard who covered my previous boat.

No, you are not asked anything about insurance at port of entry. You are asked about citizenship, intended destinations, length of stay, alcohol, drugs, weapons, money, the usual border crossing questions. Know the laws, don't try to get away with anything.