Hauling your boat before a hurricane costs $500-$2,000. Some Florida marine policies reimburse this expense — here is how haul-out coverage works and how to claim it.
Hurricane Haul-Out: The Best Storm Protection Money Can Buy
Every marine insurance professional in Florida agrees on one point: hauling your boat out of the water before a hurricane is the single most effective way to protect it from storm damage. Out-of-water storage removes the vessel from storm surge reach, eliminates sinking risk, and dramatically reduces the exposure to wind-driven waves that destroy moored vessels. Florida boatyard owners and marina operators who have lived through major hurricanes are unequivocal about this — boats that are hauled out survive; boats that stay in the water face serious risk regardless of how well they are secured.
The practical obstacle for many Florida boat owners is cost. Hauling a 25 to 40-foot vessel at a Florida boatyard during a pre-hurricane rush costs $500 to $2,000 depending on vessel size, lift equipment required, and the boatyard's rates. Multiply this over several hurricane threats per season and the annual haul-out cost can be significant. Some Florida marine insurance policies include hurricane haul-out reimbursement — a benefit that pays for this cost and removes the financial barrier to doing the right thing before a storm.
What Hurricane Haul-Out Coverage Is
Hurricane haul-out coverage reimburses you for the cost of hauling your vessel out of the water when a named tropical storm or hurricane threatens your area. This coverage is an endorsement or benefit within your marine policy that specifically addresses pre-storm haul-out expenses. BoatUS, through its GEICO Marine underwriting relationship, is perhaps the best-known provider of haul-out coverage and has marketed it as a distinctive benefit that differentiates their policies from competitors who do not include it.
What Triggers Haul-Out Coverage
Haul-out coverage benefits are typically triggered when the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm watch or warning, or a hurricane watch or warning, for the county where your vessel is located. At that point, if you haul the vessel before the storm and incur haul-out costs at a licensed boatyard, your policy reimburses those expenses up to the stated limit. The trigger is the watch or warning for your specific county — not a general threat to Florida or a neighboring county.
Typical Haul-Out Coverage Limits
Coverage limits for haul-out reimbursement vary by carrier and policy. Common ranges:
- BoatUS policies: typically $500 to $1,500 in haul-out reimbursement per storm event
- Other carriers with haul-out benefit: $300 to $1,000 per event
- Some specialty marine policies: up to $2,500 for larger vessels
These limits may not cover the full cost of hauling a large vessel, but they reduce the financial barrier meaningfully. A $1,000 reimbursement toward a $1,500 haul-out makes the decision to haul much easier.
How to Claim Haul-Out Reimbursement
To claim haul-out reimbursement, the process is straightforward but requires documentation:
- Haul the vessel at a licensed boatyard when the trigger conditions are met (watch or warning issued for your county)
- Obtain a detailed invoice from the boatyard showing the haul-out date, vessel description, and itemized charges
- Pay the invoice and retain proof of payment
- After the storm event, submit your claim to your insurer with the invoice and payment receipt
- Reimbursement is typically processed within 2 to 4 weeks of claim submission
What If Haul-Out Spots Are Not Available?
Florida boatyards fill their dry storage capacity quickly when a hurricane approaches. If you cannot secure a haul-out spot, some policies offer "hurricane preparation expense" coverage that may reimburse costs for additional dock lines, chafe protection, and securing services — even if a full haul-out was not possible. Check your policy language carefully to understand what storm preparation expenses are reimbursable even when haul-out is unavailable. Booking a standing reservation with a boatyard at the start of each hurricane season (before storms develop) is the best way to ensure a spot is available when you need it.
Ready to find your best-fit insurer? Get a Quote from FloridaCover — we match every Florida boater to the right carrier for their vessel and use.
The FloridaCover editorial team has over 15 years of combined experience covering US marine insurance, Florida boating, and maritime industry research.
