Hurricane season arrives with predictable timing June 1st through November 30th yet it catches countless boat owners unprepared every year. When forecasts show a storm heading toward your area, you have limited time to protect your vessel and ensure your insurance coverage remains valid.
The difference between a covered claim and a completely denied claim often comes down to following specific requirements your policy mandates. Many owners discover these requirements only after storm damage occurs, when it’s too late to comply.
This comprehensive checklist ensures you take every necessary step to protect your boat and maintain valid insurance coverage when hurricanes threaten.
Understanding Your Policy’s Hurricane Requirements
Before hurricane season begins, pull out your insurance policy and identify these critical provisions:
- Hurricane Haul-Out Warranty: Most policies require you to remove your boat from water when hurricane warnings are issued for your area. This isn’t optional it’s mandatory for coverage to remain valid.
- Timeframe Requirements: Policies typically mandate haul-out within 48-72 hours of hurricane warnings. Once warnings are issued, the clock starts ticking.
- Hurricane Deductible: Unlike your standard deductible (e.g., $2,500), hurricane damage triggers percentage-based deductibles typically 2-10% of your boat’s insured value. A 5% deductible on a $200,000 boat means you pay the first $10,000 of storm damage.
- Approved Storage Locations: Some policies specify approved hurricane holes, storage facilities, or haul-out locations. Verify these requirements now, not when storms approach.
- Documentation Requirements: Insurers may require proof of haul-out, photos, receipts, or other documentation to process claims. Understand what you must provide.
Our Hurricane Coverage for private vessels and High-Value Yacht Hurricane Coverage include clear guidance on requirements specific to your policy.
Pre-Season Preparation Checklist (Before June 1st)
Don’t wait for storms to appear. Complete these tasks before hurricane season:
Insurance Policy Review
- Read your entire policy’s hurricane provisions
- Verify your coverage limits and deductibles
- Confirm navigation territory covers your location
- Understand exactly when haul-out is required
- Save your agent’s contact information (including after-hours emergency numbers)
- Take photos/video of your boat’s current condition for baseline documentation
Facility Preparation
- Research and contact multiple haul-out facilities in your area
- Establish relationships and understand their procedures
- Verify facility availability during hurricane threats
- Get pricing for haul-out, storage, and re-launch
- Identify alternative facilities if your primary choice is unavailable
- Map routes to facilities and estimate travel time
Equipment and Supplies
- Purchase additional heavy-duty dock lines (double your normal amount)
- Acquire extra fenders in various sizes
- Stock tie-down straps and securing equipment for land storage
- Obtain plywood or storm shutters for windows/hatches
- Ensure adequate fuel for vessel relocation if needed
- Keep emergency toolkit accessible
- Store important documents in waterproof container
Create Your Hurricane Action Plan
- Write detailed step-by-step plan for storm preparation
- List contacts: insurance agent, marina, haul-out facilities, crew/help
- Identify who will assist with preparation (don’t plan to do it alone)
- Determine where you’ll move the boat if hauling out
- Plan timing, when you’ll begin monitoring vs. when you’ll act
- Share plan with family/crew so everyone knows their role
Storm Watch Phase (5-7 Days Out)
When tropical systems enter the Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean with potential to affect your area:
Monitoring
- Check National Hurricane Center forecasts twice daily
- Monitor local weather services and marine forecasts
- Review your insurance policy’s trigger requirements
- Stay in contact with your marina about their storm protocols
- Begin mentally preparing for possible action
Initial Preparation
- Top off fuel tanks (boat and vehicles)
- Charge all electronics and batteries
- Gather supplies and equipment you’ll need
- Alert your crew/helpers to be ready
- Contact haul-out facilities to check availability
- Move easily damaged items home (electronics, personal belongings)
Documentation
- Take comprehensive photos of boat’s condition
- Video document all equipment and systems
- Create written inventory of what’s aboard
- Back up all documentation to cloud storage
Hurricane Watch Phase (48-72 Hours Out)
When watches are issued for your area, begin active preparation:
Decision Time
- Decide: haul out, relocate, or secure in place (based on policy requirements)
- Contact insurance agent to report your storm preparation plans
- Reserve haul-out slot immediately (facilities fill rapidly)
- Notify marina of your intentions
- Confirm crew/help availability
If Hauling Out (Strongly Recommended)
- Schedule haul-out appointment ASAP
- Prepare boat for transport
- Remove all loose items and store securely
- Pump out holding tanks
- Disconnect shore power
- Document haul-out with photos/receipts
- Properly secure vessel on land per facility requirements
- Photograph secured vessel and storage location
- Submit documentation to insurer if required
If Staying in Water (Against Recommendation)
- Verify this complies with your policy requirements
- Move to approved hurricane hole or protected location
- Install double or triple dock lines
- Position fenders strategically
- Create web of lines allowing boat movement while preventing collision
- Remove canvas, bimini tops, antennas
- Seal all openings
- Disconnect electronics
- Close through-hulls if leaving water
- Activate bilge pump systems with backup power
- Document all preparation steps with photos
Hurricane Warning Phase (24-48 Hours Out)
When warnings are issued, complete final preparations:
Final Actions
- Complete all securing and preparation
- Remove all personal belongings and valuables
- Disconnect shore power and electronics
- Final photo/video documentation of secured vessel
- Submit haul-out documentation to insurer
- Inform marina of departure if leaving
- Confirm someone can check on boat post-storm (if safely possible)
- Evacuate to safe location with family
Insurance Communication
- Notify insurer of completed storm preparation
- Confirm you’ve met all policy requirements
- Save all receipts from preparation expenses
- Document everything for potential claims
Post-Storm Actions
After the storm passes and authorities declare it safe:
Initial Assessment
- Document any visible damage with photos/video before touching anything
- Take photos from multiple angles
- Note water levels, debris, and surrounding damage
- Check for immediate safety hazards
Insurance Notification
- Contact insurer immediately to report any damage
- Provide initial damage documentation
- Follow insurer’s specific claim filing procedures
- Keep all receipts for emergency repairs
- Don’t make permanent repairs before adjuster inspection
Emergency Repairs
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (usually covered)
- Document all emergency repair actions
- Save receipts for materials and services
- Photograph temporary repairs
Critical Insurance Compliance Points
These actions void coverage if violated:
❌ Failing to haul out when policy requires it – Complete claim denial regardless of damage
❌ Missing haul-out timeframe deadlines – Coverage void even if you eventually hauled out
❌ Operating during hurricane warnings – Any damage occurring while violating warnings isn’t covered
❌ Inadequate securing – Not following reasonable preparation standards may result in reduced or denied claims
❌ Late claim reporting – Most policies require notification within 24-72 hours of discovering damage
Hurricane Preparation Quick Reference Table
| Timeline | Key Actions | Insurance Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Season | Review policy, establish facility relationships, gather supplies | Understand requirements, verify coverage |
| 5-7 Days Out | Monitor forecasts, alert crew, initial prep | Review policy triggers |
| 48-72 Hours | Decide haul-out, reserve facilities, active preparation | Notify insurer of plans |
| 24-48 Hours | Complete preparation, document everything, evacuate | Submit haul-out proof, confirm compliance |
| Post-Storm | Assess damage, contact insurer, emergency repairs only | File claims within 24-72 hours |
The Bottom Line: Preparation Protects Your Coverage
Hurricane preparation isn’t just about protecting your boat it’s about protecting your insurance coverage. Even comprehensive policies won’t pay if you violate preparation requirements.
Start early, follow your policy’s requirements exactly, document everything, and don’t wait until warnings are issued to begin acting. Facilities book up within hours of watches being issued, and last-minute preparation rarely meets policy standards.
Your boat represents significant investment. Proper hurricane preparation and insurance compliance ensure that investment remains protected when storms threaten.
Our marine insurance specialists help boat owners understand their hurricane coverage requirements and prepare properly for storm season. We provide comprehensive Hurricane Coverage and High-Value Yacht Hurricane Coverage with clear guidance throughout storm season.
We also offer complete protection including Hull Coverage, Liability Coverage, and Home Insurance for comprehensive coastal property protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly. Insurers expect reasonable securing methods proper blocking, tie-downs, and positioning. Half-hearted efforts may result in partial or full claim denial. Follow your facility’s recommendations and document your work to prove reasonable care.
Yes, if your policy permits navigation to that location and you complete the move before hurricane warnings are issued. However, document everything and notify your insurer. If the storm changes path and damages your boat in transit or at the new location, coverage questions may arise.
Most policies include haul-out reimbursement of $2,500-$10,000 per storm event. This covers basic haul-out, blocking, and storage fees but may not cover all expenses. Review your specific policy limits before assuming full reimbursement.