• Q. What should I do if a hurricane is a threat to my boat?
• Q. How do I report a claim to Universal Managers Insurance?
• Q. I just purchased a new boat, what do I need to do from here?
• Q. I need to cancel my policy, what is the next step?
• Q. My lien holder never got a copy of my policy, what should I do?
• Q. I never got a copy of my policy, what should I do?
• Q. My non-payment cancellation date is the day my policy starts, why?
• Q. When do I need to send in my premium so there is no lapse in coverage?
• Q. Where is Universal Managers Insurance and Ocean Underwriters located?
• Q. My marina needs a certificate of insurance, what should I do?
• Q. I need to change my address on my policy, what should I do?

Q. What should I do if a hurricane is a threat to my boat?

A. When Hurricane Bob was deciding where to go and the Chesapeake Bay was one possibility, many of us began to prepare our boats for the ultimate storm. A surprising number of others ignored the danger entirely.

After seeing what happened to New England, we should think about our actions carefully. Your preparations influence not only what happens to your boat, but to others around it.

Several people in our marina took the fatalistic approach, saying, "If it hits, it hits. Nothing I can do will save the boat from a storm like that. That's why I carry insurance".

That's fine for them to say, but what about me? If my neighbor's boat breaks loose, it will drift down on mine and destroy it. Is that fair?

There is a nice little powerboat a few slips away that is secured by four pieces of clothesline, improperly cleated to the pier. With a five foot tide and winds over 60 knots, it would surely break free and wipe out three or four other vessels before sinking.

Before a storm, I feel obliged to add lines to such casually maintained boats.

Much of the damage from Hurricane Bob in the Cape Cod area was caused by a few boats breaking free and smashing into others. The storm hit at high tide, and the water level was some 10 feet above normal. That combination pulled moorings out of the bottom and drove boats up on piers.

Those who survived had a combination of preparation and luck. The preparation was based on visualizing the effect of very high tides and making allowance for that in the mooring lines. The luck was being in a place where other boat owners did the same thing.

Here are the nuts and bolts:

• When a storm threatens, decide first where to put the boat. If possible, haul it out and block it carefully in a place where trees and other boats cannot fall onto it.

• If you are close to a snug harbor with secure holding ground and you have several heavy anchors, you might want to move the boat there. Otherwise, study the layout of your marina.

• Look at the exposed end of the harbor. An intense low-pressure system, like a hurricane or a coastal storm from the Carolinas, generally goes to the east of the bay. The winds are generally easterly to northeasterly, although they may begin from the southeast.

• Turn you boat in the slip to face the storm winds and waves as much as possible. Set up spring lines to resist forces from the storm directions.

• Double the dock lines, so that one will remain if the other breaks or chafes through. Allow for an extremely high tide. Old-timers who rode out hurricanes on the bay can advise you how much the water level may rise in your area.

• Tie the boat so that you can adjust the mooring lines from the dock. If the water level rises and the boat is bouncing about, you will not be able to get aboard to slack the lines so it can rise with the storm tide.

• Put chafing gear on all the dock lines. A garden hose slipped over the end of the rope, or leather or canvas wrapped around it where it goes through the deck chock will prevent the line from wearing through during the storm.

• Remove all canvas covers and loose items on deck and put them ashore or below deck. Take off bimini tops, sails, flags, boat hooks, deck chairs and similar items and stow them.

• Pump the bilges dry and close all through-hull fittings except those that drain the cockpit. Shut off the fuel supply line. Remove any loose items, such as lamps and cases, from the surfaces in the cabin.

• After you have done everything possible for your own boat, check the ones around you, especially those to the east. Call the owners to let them know of the danger, if you can. If necessary, add dock lines to neglected vessels to protect your own.

Finally, go home. Do not stay aboard. No boat is worth your own life.

Bob was the first hurricane of the season, but probably will not be the last. We have been extraordinarily lucky for many years, and most of us have become complacent.

Let's take a lesson from Bob and Hugo and minimize our losses.

- Article by Tom Dove

Q. How do I report a claim to Universal Managers Insurance?

A. Claims should be reported immediately by phone to 1-800-545-2520. Please have available the following information:

• Policy reference number

• Current location of vessel

• Vessel registration number

If there is ever a question on what to do about a claim and you are unable to reach the claim company please read "General Conditions, Number 13" in your policy.

Q. I just purchased a new boat. What do I need to do now?

A. Call our customer service department during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00PM Central Time. A new purchase is not covered automatically. Your existing policy is not transferable to the new boat.

Q. I need to cancel my policy, what is the next step?

A. Requests for cancellation must be made in writing. The request must contain the policy policy number, the date, the reason for cancellation, and the signature of the/all owner(s). The effective date of the cancellation will be the postmarked date on the envelope, the date of your FAX, or any future date requested.

Q. My lien holder requested proof of insurance, what should I do?

A. Once we receive payment on your binder we automatically send proof of insurance to the lien holder listed. If for some reason they do not have it on file, please call our service department during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm Central Time. If the lien holder sent you a letter, have that available, or fax it to us at 1-800-587-2958 or local 1(903) 586-3910, and we will contact the lien holder for you. Please have the lien holder's phone number and loan number available, so we may contact them.

Q. I never got a copy of my policy, what should I do?

A. Call our service department during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm Central Time.

Q. My non-payment cancellation date is the day my policy starts, why?

A. Premium payment must be postmarked by the "Premium Due Date" or the policy is cancelled effective the date shown as the "Non-payment Cancellation Date". We give you 10 days to make the payment after the effective date.

Q. When do I need to send in my premium so there is no lapse in coverage?

A. Premium payment must be postmarked by the "Premium Due Date" as shown at the top of your binder or the policy is cancelled effective the date shown as the "Non-payment Cancellation Date". We give you 10 days to make the payment after the effective date.

Q. Where is Universal Managers & Company Insurance located?

A. Our headquarters is located at:
331 Neches Street

Jacksonville, Texas  75701

Q. My marina needs a certificate of insurance, what should I do?

A. Supply us with your policy number, the name of the marina, and their address and we will issue the certificate. No certificate will be issued until the premium is paid in full.

Q. I need to change my address on my policy, what should I do?

A. You can fax, mail, or e-mail your new address. Include your policy policy number, your new address, and phone number. Be sure to let us know if the location of your vessel has changed and include the mooring county. You can find our contact information on our contact page.