Insurance for classic seacraft

[DonV]

I had Progressive for years, however the Soros connection made me change to Charter Lakes three years ago. I have had no problems with them what-so-ever, however I also have not had any claims. When I moved from Progressive I told the Charter Lakes folks what coverage I had and I wanted it matched on both boats, they did and the cost was about $100 less. Now I only have the SeaCraft and they refunded me the unused premium very quickly on the other boat. On the SeaCraft my agreed value was $22k when I re-powered back in September I asked to have it upped to cover the additional value of the new engine, it's now $32k and my premium for full coverage is $595/yr.

Again.....I have had no claims ever on any of my boats. Hopefully I never do!! However if I do then we will see how good they are.

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by JUST JOHN

I don't trust BoatUS. I joined the unlimited water-tow / trailer program at WM this time last year, based off a friends recommendation. I called them a few weeks later to inquire about my membership card, documentation, etc that had not yet arrived... They had no record of me joining, but WM certainly took my $! A few calls/call-backs and they eventually found the cc transaction #, based off my receipt, and was able to enroll me. Since I had already started boating I asked whether I would have been covered during this time?!? She said yes, but I doubt it. My membership was not restarted at the new date, but rather when I first "joined". Anyway, I never ever got a card. I expect to have something to put in my wallet! I never got a renewal reminder this year. Any other company invests in a mailing to their customers for renewal. I never ever got anything official, just a membership # over the phone... which is probably written on a piece of paper somewhere in a folder never to be found. I never had to thankfully use the service. I don't trust them. I think I will go with SeaTow this year. I see far more SeaTow boats on the water than BoatUS.

I understand the conversation is regarding coverage...I just have a $75 liability policy through State Farm for my Seafari. I plan on calling BoatUS today to ask "what's the story here?!?"

Is the insurance portion of BoatUS handled by Geico? Fr. Frank's comment makes it seem so, just curious...

My dad was in an accident last summer that resulted in a total loss of his boat. BoatUS was AWESOME!! The tow company was a backwoods shady operation too and they dealt with them. BoatUS covered everything and they even gave him the carcass back (which we parted out). I built the fiberglass bracket back in 2009 and it's on my 25 now.

[JUST JOHN]

^Sorry to bring this off topic, but I called BoatUS yesterday... and they still could not find my membership info based off my name, zip, phone #, email, or location of registration. They also were supposed to call me back at 6pm EST... which never happened. I wouldn't want to go through all this hassle, validating myself as their customer, out on the water. I found my registration receipt last night and will call the same contact back at her extension today. Let's see if these numbers on my receipt mean anything to them.

That's quite the accident, glad your dad is OK and he had a good experience. Yes, it seems they contract out all their services... even their registration process and money collection. Too bad the information collected by WM isn't put directly into BoatUS's system.

[DonV]

Very strange.......I always renew my BoatUS at my local WM, it gives the store a sale. Last time I renewed I went in the store for screws and they had a special for $50 off the Gold membership, which I have, did it right then. Never had a problem.

[JUST JOHN]

So I called again today speaking to a new rep, starting at "Chapter 1" of my saga (again), scanned/emailed my receipt in, and as it turns out they apparently applied my membership to another customer's account!... so I didn't have coverage all last year when I thought I was good to go..."just show your receipt if you need to call to put in a claim". -Ha!

They will likely extend my termination date to 6/2019, but waiting to hear back officially. I emailed WM customer service (b/c 15 minute telephone wait time) to also inquire about whether my West Advantage # is actually applying to me and my purchases... or also being given to someone else. -We'll see.

I'm sorry to thread jack, as this really should have been it's own thread.

[BadfishToo]

Update: geico gave me a policy covering 25k of boat for $1100 a year. Pretty lame. So I talked to Charter Lakes. They wanted a few pictures of the boat and then gave me a quote for 38k of coverage for the boat. Cost is only $900 a year. Easy choice 🤙🏽

[Bigshrimpin]

25k for 1100? Ouch!

I've got 20K + 2k for trailer agreed hull policy with Boat/US for $480.