Marine preparedness

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, pose significant risks to watercraft and their owners. Proper planning and preparation are essential to protect your vessel, secure essential documentation, and safeguard personal safety during these unpredictable situations. This guide walks you through crucial steps before, during, and after storms to help ensure you’re ready to mitigate damage and handle challenges effectively.

Proactive preparation

Prepare your documentation

In addition to your emergency supplies (food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, etc.), the following are good items to bring with you if you must evacuate to a shelter:

• To make the claims process smoother in the event your watercraft sustains damage, take pictures or video of the vessel (inside and out)
• Maintain an inventory of both the items removed and those left on board. Items of value should be marked so they can be readily identified.
• Consolidate all records including title, insurance policies, a recent photo of the vessel, boat registration, equipment inventory, and the lease agreement with the marina or storage facility.
• Keep important phone numbers in a safe place, such as: U.S. Coast Guard, Harbor Master, National Weather Service
• Check your lease or storage rental agreement with the marina or storage facility; Learn the hurricane procedures directly from the dockmaster, know your responsibilities and liabilities.
• Keep a copy of the hurricane plan submitted to your insurance company.

Prepare your plan

Develop a detailed plan of action for your vessel in advance. Share your plan with a reliable person who can execute it in your absence. If you are an absentee owner, formalize this arrangement with a contract.

• Identify a safe, accessible destination, preferably in a hurricane-proof storage facility or garage. Negotiate the storage contract in advance.
• If not using a trailer, negotiate contractually for a boatyard to haul-out at a facility equipped to accommodate your boat and not endangered by storm surge.
• Specifically identify and assemble needed equipment and supplies. Keep them together and practice your plan to ensure it works before the hurricane season.
• Lifts: if you must leave your boat on a lift, take the following precautions:
  • Securely strap boat to the lift
  • Remove all portable equipment, canvas, etc.
  • Tape all hatches and electronics covers
  • Check bilge pumps & batteries
  • Raise the lift to the highest safest point and secure the base of lift to the pilings to minimize sway

When a storm is coming

• Review your evacuation plan and ensure you have the necessary resources to activate your plan
• If you have a captain and crew, consider any lodging or travel arrangements that may be necessary
• Remove all portable equipment such as canvas, sails, electronics, cushions, biminis and roller furling sails. Secure everything you are unable to remove such as tillers, wheels and booms.
• Personal safety is always the highest priority, do not remain aboard in life threatening conditions
• Boats remaining in a marina or private berth:
  • Double all lines.
  • Rig crossing spring lines fore and aft.
  • Attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge.
  • Make sure lines will not slip off pilings. Inspect pilings and choose those that appear the strongest and tallest, and are installed properly.
  • Fully charge the batteries and check to ensure their capability to run automatic bilge pumps for the duration of the storm. Consider backup batteries. Shut off all devices consuming electricity except the bilge pumps and disconnect shore power cables.
  • Hauling: The best course of action is to haul your vessel out of the water and move it to a safe location as far from tidal waters as possible, and away from trees and other vessels that may topple.

If you have a loss or damage

File the Claim with your insurer as soon as possible: Claims are handled in the order they are received so getting the claim reported to the insurer is key. Once reported, we can help guide you through the process. We have licensed claims professionals on staff.

Don’t Know Your Insurer? Contact us at 813.984.3200 (after hours select option 9) or call your Relationship Manager.

Don’t Know Your Insurer’s Claim Reporting Contact Information? Click here. If your insurer does not appear on the list, contact us at 813.984.3200 or call your Relationship Manager.

How to help speed up the claim process:       

1. Send photos of damage, including photos before damage if possible, to adjuster.
2. Create a list of damaged property, including description, cost and receipt if possible.
3. Keep a journal of your emails, calls with insurance companies and adjusters so you can proactively manage the process.
4. Have your policy information when you call insurer, including insurer, and policy number.

After a storm

• Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving  water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris  or places where the ground is washed away.
• Photograph or video the damage to your property to assist in filing an insurance claim.
• Do what you can to prevent further damage to your vessel
• Water is often contaminated with sewage and chemicals and can hide objects, such as metal and glass or dangerous animals, such as snakes or alligators.
• If there is evidence of theft or vandalism, file a police report. Note the report number and obtain a copy of the incident report.

Take proactive steps to mitigate loss

By preparing your family, securing your home, and protecting your assets in advance, you could minimize damage and recover more quickly after the storm. Taking proactive measures helps ensure resilience in the face of future severe weather while keeping your loved ones safe. Implement these steps today to protect your home and family.

 Let us help protect what matters most to you and your family.