I spent $5,000 installing a “Lightning Dissipator” (the fuzzy brush thing) on my masthead. The salesman promised it would prevent strikes. I called my insurer to ask for a discount. They said, “That’s nice, but no.”
Key Takeaways
- Unproven Tech: Insurers are actuaries. They trust data. There is no conclusive data that “dissipators” prevent strikes better than standard grounding. Therefore, no discount.
- Grounding is Key: Insurers care about grounding (a clear path to water) to prevent the boat from exploding if struck. They don’t care about “prevention” gadgets.
- The “Strike” Deductible: Many policies have a specific deductible for lightning damage (often higher than standard) because electronics claims are so expensive. The dissipator doesn’t waive this.
- Electronics Freeze: If you are worried about lightning, ask for an endorsement that freezes the depreciation on your electronics. That pays off better than the gadget.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Snake Oil vs. Engineering.”
Lightning is unpredictable. Insurers assume you will get hit. They price the policy based on the cost to replace your Raymarine/Garmin stack, not on the odds of the fuzzy brush working.
The Investigation (I Asked Underwriters)
- Chubb: “We do not offer credits for dissipation systems. We do offer credits for automatic fire suppression.”
- Pantaenius: “No credit.”
- The Science: ABYC standards focus on grounding plates and bonding systems, not dissipators.
Comparison Table
| Investment | Cost | Premium Discount | Protection Reality |
| Dissipator | $500 – $5k | 0% | Debatable |
| Grounding Plate | $500 | 0% | Saves the Hull |
| Surge Protectors | $200 | 0% | Saves some devices |
| Unplugging | $0 | N/A | Best Protection |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inspect Your Bonding: Ensure your mast, shrouds, and engine are bonded to a dynaplate or keel. This saves the boat from blowing a hole in the hull.
- Disconnect During Storms: If you are onboard, unplug the shore power and the antenna cables. That is the only 100% protection.
- [IMAGE: Photo of disconnected VHF and Radar cables during a storm]
- Inventory Electronics: Keep a spreadsheet of every serial number. Lightning fries everything. You need to prove you had a $3,000 radar, not a $500 one.
- Don’t Rely on the Brush: If you buy it, buy it for hope, not for insurance savings.
FAQ
Does a carbon fiber mast attract more lightning?
Yes, it is conductive. It needs careful bonding.
Will insurance replace my magnetic compass?
Yes, lightning often reverses the polarity of compasses.