You might want to start with your insurance agent, because you may be able to save money by insuring your sailboat with the same company that carries your auto, life, or homeowners insurance. You can also search for marine insurance in the yellow pages or on the Internet, or ask your insurance agent for a referral. Hundreds of insurance companies specialize in marine insurance. Before you begin your research, though, make sure you know what type of policy you'll need.

You'll find that pleasure boats are categorized according to size and type for insurance purposes:

• Pleasure boats 16' to 25'11": Boats of this size, and valued at $3,000 or more, are eligible for boatowners insurance (territorial limits are normally imposed)
• Pleasure boats 26' or longer: These boats, which include most cruisers and sailboats (and some sportfishing vessels), are eligible for personal yacht insurance

Boatowners insurance policies typically provide coverage for personal liability and physical damage. Some policies also include legal defense protection, medical payments coverage, and uninsured boater coverage.

Personal yacht policies also provide personal liability and physical damage coverage, as well as optional coverage for legal defense, medical payments, and uninsured boaters. In addition, you may be able to purchase a hurricane endorsement. Yacht insurance generally does not have specific territorial limits, but may have cruising limits as defined in the policy.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your insurance agent before buying insurance for your sailboat:

• Will I be covered for both inland boating and ocean boating?
• Are boating supplies covered?
• Which boat operators are covered?
• Are discounts available if I complete a safety training course?