Took me a couple of weeks shopping for coverage for our boat before the season. The first thing I learned: a low premium usually means a pile of exclusions. Check agreed value vs actual cash value — with ACV, depreciation cuts the payout after a total loss. If the boat is older, be ready for a request for a fresh marine survey. Most of the confusion comes from the policy wording, so this helped me sort it out:
https://yacht-insurance.net — it lays out the main coverage options in plain English. Then check the navigation limits: cruising outside them can leave you uncovered. In hurricane country, the named storm deductible is often a percentage of hull value, not a flat amount. Don't skimp on liability either — wreck removal and damage to other boats can cost more than the boat itself. Compare two or three carriers and read the exclusions before you pay.
