turbotowrig

does anyone here do boat transporting? i will be traveling back and forth from new york to florida quite often for a while. i have been thinking about getting into towing boats back and forth every time i go. does anyone know what kind of insurance i need for this? i have towed boats there alot, but only for friends. this wouldnt be a real business, just maybe a few loads a month. thanks for any info.

GMScott

I guess it all depends on either doing it legal or not. Legal way would include DOT #'s, MC #'s, minimum $700,00.00 liability insurance, medical card & log books. Anytime you get paid for doing something it is called "Commercial". When you start crossing state lines you are now in Federal Interstate Commerce territory and all the Federal & State commercial requirements apply. Can't see how you could afford to do it "part-time", on your own, and afford all the requirements. And don't forget, when ya cross the Florida state line the sign says "All" trucks are to enter the scales and that's when they'll find out if you're commercial or not. I have personal experience as I towed MY boat to FL. and got stopped for not entering the scale. Good thing I had proof that the boat was mine. They got some pretty hefty fines for those who cannot prove what they are towing is not personally owned.

turbotowrig

i have dot numbers, new law in new york, anythign of 10,000 needs them. and my truck has comercial plates, as i use it for work. but this idea seems like it will be a wash. thanks for the info.

Valv

All new 1 ton trucks get DOT numbers if registered to a business. Just because you have it doesn't mean you are legal to do "transport for hire".
GM Scott has the exact explanation for it.

The drawback of doing it part time is insurance cost, way too expensive, which makes it almost worthless if not done fulltime.

GreatTruck2001

You will need commercial insurance for your rig and trailer. You will also need cargo insurance to cover your liability for the boat. The liability limit for the cargo policy is normally equal to the value of the largest boat you'll haul with the premium based on limit of liability, deductible and distance. Finally, you'll need to be certain that the boats you haul maintain their own insurance as your's will only pay for claims for which you are liable. The cargo insurance is not terribly expensive. I do not know the costs of the truck/trailer insurance.

JPR Ram

Not to hi-jack this thread, for you guys who are "hot-shoting", how do you figure your rates? I know mileage is involved, but how do you figure it? I now work for a bulk carrier and we have a mileage rate sheet that based on 24 ton minimums. Obviously you can only haul one boat or two or three cars depending on your trailer.