Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

[jsfinn]

As some of you know, I've been restoring an old 1956 Chris Craft kit boat. When you bought the "kit" you got plans and directions to cut out the wood and assemble it and you ended up with a 16 foot boat. There are no labels or branding on the boat at all except for a Chris Craft logo on the steering wheel and no identifying numbers on the hull. This boat is part old from 1956 and part new. It will be powered by a 1956 30 HP Johnson Outboard. When I go to insure this boat before I take it out for the first time (for me) this summer, do I insure it as a Chris Craft or Home Made boat? Also, do I insure it as a 1956 or a modern boat? <br /><br />My guess is that insuring it as a modern day home made boat is probably cheaper but might not be the legal thing to do.<br /><br />Thanks for the advice!

 

[Homerr]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

I'm taking a wild guess, but you'll probably have to get the boat assessed much like they would do with an older antique car.<br />That will give you a dollar value and a replacement cost to start with.<br /><br />I insure my boat through BoatUS.com <br />You might give them a call and ask about your boat. I'm sure they've had similar situations.<br /><br />H.

 

[JB]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Boat topic, JS.<br /><br />I will move it for you.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

State Farm gave me a stated value policy for my 65 MFG Niagara plus liability coverage. They wanted good photos of the boat, motor and trailer to support my claim of $5000. I e-mailed them a 5 or 6 photos showing how clean and fresh looking everything is. It was no problem. <br /><br />I found the boat only insurance companies either charged many times more, or would not issue a policy due to its 40 yr age.<br /><br />Your home/auto insurance carrier may be your best choice.<br /><br />And, my boat was built prior to the HIN numbers being required. So NJ issued one when I registered the boat. <br /><br />I would suggest registering it as a 56 Chris Craft seeing as that is its origin, plus boats from that era had no documentation anyway. So not having any puts you on par with all other antique boat owners.<br /><br />You may not have as much trouble as you think.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Something I found that I thought you might be interested in. The regulations and guidelines for home made boats by the US Coast Guard.<br /><br /> US Coast Guard Regs.

 

[Dryrot]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

When I lived in South Carolina No insurance company would talk to me when they heard I had a homemade boat to insure. You are better off avoiding those words and telling them it is a restored CC. Now that I am living in Ontario Insuring another homemade boat is a struggle. The only way the ins. companies would insure me was with a $300. certified boat survey.....even on a brand new boat.

 

[BillP]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Its wood and old. Insurance companies don't like those words. I'd do as already posted and register as an old Chriscraft. It may drive the insurance up but resale will be higher later too. If you register as new there may be legal requirements otherwise grandfathered in with an old boat. Your state may give a price break for an antique boat too. Florida only charges $4 for "antique" boats over 30 yrs old. <br /><br />How about starting another topic with an update on your progress?

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Thanks everyone - Antique Chris Craft it is! <br /><br /><br />BillP, gimme about a month for the progres thread. The boat has been covered up all winter and it'll start warming up here soon. When I put it away, I got it about 1/3 painted and have only a couple hours of wood work left to do (new hatch for the berth). I tinkered with the outboard a little bit and I'm feeling very confident that it'll start once I lube it up and give it some gas.<br /><br />I'm ITCHIN' to get it on the water!!!!!!!!

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

BillP wrote:<br />

Florida only charges $4 for "antique" boats over 30 yrs old.

Are you talking about registration fees?.. Title fees? Please explain..

 

[BillP]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Originally posted by snapperbait:<br /> BillP wrote:<br />

Florida only charges $4 for "antique" boats over 30 yrs old.

Are you talking about registration fees?.. Title fees? Please explain..

$4 for the annual registration fee...the one that gives you the decal for the bow of your boat. The decal used to say "antique" on it but not anymore. Don't be surprised if the clerk is unaware of it, just ask them to check. I think small boats are up to $27.50 so it saves you a few bucks. It has nothing to do with title transfer fees or sales tax.

 

[Skiuseme]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

As an Insurance Agent please check out the company Hagerty they like classics and wooden. I am not liscensed in your state so Im NOT trying to Sell. You can even go on there web site and priceout your own quote. Hagerty they have really good rates so please check them out.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Insurance for Antique Home Made Boat

Thanks BillP... Tween the Tigercraft and the Mako, i'd save somewhere near $50 a year...