Nick said: "When it's my turn they tell me I have to have the trailer listed on my auto insurence. Now I'm a little worried. What are the chances of my insurence agent's office being open on July 5th."
I am an insurance agent. In NY of course, not MD BUT I don't think the rules are that different here than there. A trailer is automatically covered for the same liability as your auto insurance WHEN IT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR CAR. So if you hit something while you are towing your trailer, any trailer- even a camper - your auto property damage liability kicks in. The trailer doesn't need to be listed at all for liability to kick in.
The ONLY reason to insure a trailer is IF you want physical damage and/or theft coverage for the trailer. (Hmmm when the 'po impound your trailer is it still "theft"?
)
In any case there are also likely insurance guidelines that cover "newly aquired" vehicles that, in essence, give you coverage when you aquire the vehicle EVEN IF IT IS NOT YET LISTED. Of course you have a duty to report the new vehicle to your insurance agent ASAP, usually up to a week (or sometimes 30 days- I wouldn't wait that long though). In other words, any added vehicles are considered covered from the moment of aquisition EVEN IF THE COMPANY doesn't know yet AS LONG AS YOU LET them know within the timeframe given.
The implications of this are that your agent doesn't need to be available 24/7 because the DMV is not available 24/7. If you pick up something on a weekend, it is covered - call your agent the next business day.
As nice as the people sound at your DMV (unlike ours - who they keep behind a barred window, apparently to prevent them from biting the customers
) I question the need to insure a trailer to put on plates.
Anyway, these stories are great guys! Keep 'em coming.
Happy sails!!