An old joke claims the two best days in a boat owner's life are the day the boat is bought and the day the boat is sold. This is, of course, an exaggeration of the costs of boat ownership, and it neglects the feeling of freedom and adventure that comes from taking your boat out on to open water.

One great way to balance that adventure with keeping costs down is to invest in reliable boat insurance. Below, you'll find a guide to preparing your boat to be inspected prior to acquiring coverage. With these tips in mind, you can be sure you get the boat insurance rates and coverage you need that won't interfere with your enjoyment of your adventures.

Cleaning

Your insurance inspector will need to fully inspect your boat's hull for cracks and possible weak points. This means that he or she has to be totally unimpeded in that inspection, and making sure that you've thoroughly cleaned all surfaces is an important first step to that end.

All aquatic plants and mud should be scrubbed off and removed. The best way to achieve this is typically through a high temperature, high pressure washing system. You should also be sure to treat all of your boat's metal surfaces, which can be done using specialized metal cleaners or using a hot water and vinegar solution.

Draining

Inspecting the mechanical functions of your boat is another important part of making sure you have the coverage you need. This will require you to be able to fully drain all wells, bilge, and cooling water in order for them to be refilled and fully tested.

Keep in mind that there are restrictions in terms of where waste water can be disposed of. Having your boat already drained and dry when the inspector arrives will likely save time, as well as show that you're a responsible boat owner who's prepared for all eventualities.

Preparing Documents

The last step in determining insurance premiums and coverage for a boat is being able to track its complete history. This includes sales documents, maintenance records, and any other piece of paper that documents a repair or an alteration to the original structure of your boat. You should be sure that you have these documents fully collected and available in chronological order so that your insurance inspector can render a quick decision based on a thorough examination of the facts.