Jim, it's as easy as a few question:
- if your vessel is your primary residence, and it burns to the waterline/sinks/is eaten by Godzilla (hey, this IS 2020!)- in other words, a total loss- where will you go to reside?
If the answer is a hotel/couch surf till I figure it out/a family member or friends- you are pretty much a liveaboard. The liveaboard endorsements on a policy will mimic a traditional homeowner's policy by extending the coverages in 3 areas from "onboard or onloading/offloading from the vessel" to "worldwide". These coverages are the
liability,
medical, and
personal effects portions of the policy.
Other questions that are considered:
- Are you a snowbird that has real property you part time at?
- Do you own real residential property that is not income producing (rented)?
If you own a house/condo that is not an income producing property, you will most likely be settled in after a calamity in a familiar environment. Thus, you would not be a true liveaboard policy wise, even if you spend months or years onboard- you have a place to go home to.
In either case, be upfront with your agent and carrier- the last thing you want is an awkward conversation if a claim arises, and in discovery your liveaboard status is revealed...