Bahamas (BS)
An English-speaking Caribbean archipelago close to Florida, known for high-end tourism, no personal income tax, strong financial services, second-home communities, turquoise water and very high island living costs.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Bahamas, prioritised.
Bahamas insurance planning is dominated by medical evacuation, hurricane/flood, property, boat, motor, liability and business interruption risk.
Legally Mandatory
- - Motor insurance
- - Insurance required by mortgage lenders, marinas, HOAs or contracts
- - NIB/payroll obligations for employers
International health insurance
Private care and hospital cover.
Who needs it: Most expats
Annual cost: USD/BSD 1,500-10,000+ per adult
Check Florida evacuation and US network.
Medical evacuation
Air ambulance/transfer to Nassau, Florida or specialist care.
Who needs it: Everyone outside very short stays
Annual cost: Often bundled or several hundred dollars/year
Family Island residents especially need it.
Motor insurance
Vehicle liability and comprehensive cover.
Who needs it: Drivers/owners
Annual cost: BSD 600-3,000+
Confirm rental, flood and hurricane exclusions.
Home and hurricane insurance
Building, contents, hurricane and flood coverage.
Who needs it: Owners and renters with valuable goods
Annual cost: Risk and property-value based; can be expensive
Named-storm deductibles can be very high.
Boat/yacht insurance
Hull, liability, storm mooring and navigation area cover.
Who needs it: Boat owners and frequent cruisers
Annual cost: Vessel-value dependent
Storm plan and haul-out clauses matter.
Personal liability
Covers accidental injury or property damage claims.
Who needs it: Families, renters, boaters and pet owners
Annual cost: Often bundled
Business interruption
Income loss after hurricane, fire or insured event.
Who needs it: Business owners and landlords
Annual cost: Business dependent
Read waiting periods and named-storm wording.
Comparison sites
Buy evacuation cover before arrival
Read hurricane deductibles
Photograph contents
Check if short-term rental use voids cover
Keep policy documents offline during storms
Insurance
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