Insurance for inexperienced operator.

[thegotoguyr]

My 19 year old son has been asking me to let him take the boat on his own. He has operated on the lake enough and also ran my last boat in the water. He knows the rules and has his pleasure operators certificate but does need a little more practice docking for me to feel comfortable enough to give him the keys.
He is a responsible enough young man, works at a new car dealership drivng and parking all the vehicles. I am not too concerned with his judgement for letting him go and I will have him dock a few more times with me before I let him go also.
My question is about insurance, mine is currently based on 10+ years operating vessels. Has anyone adjusted theirs to allow inexperienced operators and what kind of hit did it add?
Mine comes up for renewal in May so I will find out soon enough but I am wondering about it.

 

[Escapade]

We did mention adding wife and kids to our provider global marine and they wanted copy boating, safety class certificates. No increase. previous we have West Marine and no increase either.

 

[takemboating]

I know that the most important thing you can do for your kids is show your confidence in their ability. if you say they are good enough and the insurance company wants a few bucks to back you up what is more important? my son was so thrilled when i said he could have the keys, it still brings tears to my eyes. I sent him off with my 50+ mph Regal and knew he would be back safely. Trust means more than $ every day.

 

[mvoellinger]

I grew up boating and had people trust me at a young age and it helped me become the boater I am today. Cost...make sure the insurance company will cover him, but frankly most docking incidents are very minor and I can't think of any worth the deductible between myself and my friends. But the experience will be worth making him a life long boater. Biggest issue is trust on the water, not docking! Just remind him never approach anything faster than you want to hit it. And NEVER put a limb between the boat and dock, no matter what.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

I agree with the above posts. If he is responsible and the insurance Co. has no problem, let him go.

 

[wish2fish]

Is it different up north? Don't we insure the boat only? Does it matter who is driving it?

 

[daddyox]

Is it different up north? Don't we insure the boat only? Does it matter who is driving it?

For what its worth, The policy usually includes family members, as well as those you give permission too, which is similar to an auto policy
My policy:
You and your means:
(a) The person or organization named as the insured on the enclosed declarations;
(b) Members of the immediate family of the insured who live in the same household;
(c) Anyone else operating the insured vessel with the prior express permission of the named
insured, as long as the actual use is within the scope of such permission and for private pleasure

 

[thegotoguyr]

I have no problem letting him go,Karen is a little more hesitant. I just want to be insured if he hits a log at 30 mph or something that could happen to any of us, hopefully without doubling my premium. Insurance gal called yesyerday but I missed the call.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Not sure about B.C., but down here at his age he would need to have taken and passed a boater safety course.

 

[trflgrl]

Is it different up north? Don't we insure the boat only? Does it matter who is driving it?

This was my understanding at the base level; I had equated it to auto insurance practices after setting up my policy. Insurance covers the boat--so if somebody steals it, my deductible, coverage levels, etc. still apply to persons/property involved in any incidents--but the rate itself is determined by who the primary operator/operators are as defined in the policy, and yes, the rate could change following such. So in your hitting a log scenario, I think he/the boat are covered, even if you don't formally add his name to the policy. If you want to add him proactively, hopefully your rate won't change much and he'd be considered a rare/occasional operator and your own experience/your claim history will outweigh any new-driver factor.

Definitely not an expert, though, so am very interested in the group responses.