Hi All, I'm a new houseboat owner in South Carolina and intend to liveaboard soon.  My boat does not run, nor do I wish it to.  Problem is, I can't seem to find insurance for a non running boat.  Since I'm new to the houseboating world, I'm not even sure what kind of insurance I need.  Is it possible to get a homeowners policy?  All suggestions welcome and desperately needed!

You do not have to say if it is running or not Farm Bureau will write the policy which covers everything as will Allstate,if not over 30 years old. Do not tell you are living aboard if they do not ask. You will be charged a 20% surcharge by some Cos. Use the don't ask don't tell policy. Is the running gear there or is it without power?

I appreciate the tip! I started looking around for quotes. IWSF requires a survey and unfortunately, my boat is over 30 yrs old and will require one. We know we're in for a lot of work, but that's why we bought it. We enjoy working at home, so to speak. I just want to be sure we're covered as far as personal belongings and property. I don't think liability will be much of an issue, since we don't intend to travel.

Great tips and advise on this site! You all are a wealth of information that is hard to come by!

You could strap an outboard on and say it was running, may keep you out of trouble with various Govt agencies.

I hate to be the bad one to post this, but you can't NOT disclose that it's a liveaboard on insurance. If there were a claim, there would be a question on if it would be a covered claim (I do work for the insurance industry).  It's better to just pay the extra premium and that way there is no question should something happen.  Good Luck.

If they do not ask, I did not think you had to tell. I was in Ins for over 20 years on the other side of the coin.  If it does not ask on the application normally you would be OK. Have things changed? I was a Branch manager for Transamerica Occidental. I did not mean to conceal, just answer what is asked by agent and application. Many cos will not insure if liveaboard, but if you have a legitimate address other than the boat there is no limitation on how many days you can stay on it. In the south they would be bound as the questions were properly asked but up North who knows. Allstate agent told me the same thing as did Statefarm and Nationwide.

[QUOTE=pirate]If they do not ask, I did not think you had to tell. I was in Ins for over 20 years on the other side of the coin. If it does not ask on the application normally you would be OK. Have things changed? I was a Branch manager for Transamerica Occidental. I did not mean to conceal, just answer what is asked by agent and application. Many cos will not insure if liveaboard, but if you have a legitimate address other than the boat there is no limitation on how many days you can stay on it. In the south they would be bound as the questions were properly asked but up North who knows. Allstate agent told me the same thing as did Statefarm and Nationwide.

We bought a houseboat in November and plan to be liveaboards within the next year or so (as soon as we can sell our house). What do we do for a permanent address when that time comes? I've heard that the insurance companies won't accept a PO Box for an address..it must be a permanent address. Will State Farm drop us? My husband is a truck driver. Can we say we sold the house and now we just basically live in the truck as we drive around the country making deliveries (that's pretty much what he does now..he just comes home on weekends). I wouldn't mind the extra surcharge, I just don't want to have State Farm drop us altogether or be uninsurable because we live on the boat. What do other liveaboards do for an address????

You don't have to be married to State Farm. In many areas they are higher than others on their coverage. Shop around. We had very good coverage from AllState at reasonable rates. (northern Alabama)