Boat insurance?

[jvitiel]

I have had BoatUS insurance for the over 25 years. I finally needed it for a short tow a few years back and the claims process was quick and painless. I can't recall who their carrier was at the time but BoatUS switched over to Geico last year. This year I had a claim on a damaged bimini top. What a PIA! Slow to process, horrible communications skills and tons of paperwork. I'm thinking about changing to a different carrier as I can just imagine the headache it would have been if it was a more substantial claim.

When searching for a policy, price is important of course but after my recent experience the quality of their claims handling is even more important IMO. If anyone can recommend anyone other than BoatUS/Geico for good claims handling, I'm all ears..

Skook - have you filed a claim with Farmers recently with good results?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by jvitiel

When searching for a policy, price is important of course but after my recent experience the quality of their claims handling is even more important IMO. If anyone can recommend anyone other than BoatUS/Geico for good claims handling, I'm all ears..

As previously stated, I have both Liberty Mutual and BoatUS. I use the BoatUS for any on the water or trailering claims, and Liberty Mutual for just about everything else. Back when Hurricane Irene came through we had a claim for damage to our home in the area of $90,000. They sent out an adjuster, he found some damage we had missed and the result was a claim for $98,000. Got the check 4 days later in the mail. Could not have been more painless. I'll stay with them till I die. Upped my coverage to a blanket policy that has a $1,000,000 limit,and it includes my home, my cars and my boats. Thinking about buying an airplane just so it can be covered also.

[jvitiel]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

As previously stated, I have both Liberty Mutual and BoatUS. I use the BoatUS for any on the water or trailering claims, and Liberty Mutual for just about everything else. Back when Hurricane Irene came through we had a claim for damage to our home in the area of $90,000. They sent out an adjuster, he found some damage we had missed and the result was a claim for $98,000. Got the check 4 days later in the mail. Could not have been more painless. I'll stay with them till I die. Upped my coverage to a blanket policy that has a $1,000,000 limit,and it includes my home, my cars and my boats. Thinking about buying an airplane just so it can be covered also.

Thanks D,

So what would the Liberty policy cover on your boat? Damage while sitting beside the house? I would like to get away from BoatUS for all of it - damage on the water, wet towing, trailering and storage. Is Liberty capable of covering all (most?) scenarios if you wanted?

I see that Striper80 got paid well after Sandy. I heard that Progressive was subject to a lot of complaints but that was years ago and in connection with auto - may be worth a look..

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by jvitiel

Thanks D,

So what would the Liberty policy cover on your boat? Damage while sitting beside the house? I would like to get away from BoatUS for all of it - damage on the water, wet towing, trailering and storage. Is Liberty capable of covering all (most?) scenarios if you wanted?

Not to be vague, but your coverage all depends on what policy you get, and how much you are willing to pay for that policy. Since I have home and auto with Liberty my policy covers me for theft, if a tree falls on my boat at my house, or someone rear ends me while I'm towing.. and pretty much everything in between. It even covers me for towing, but if I ever have to have that service I'll use BoatUS for that for the unlimited towing (up to 100 miles) I have with them. I love the fact that in certain areas I have overlapping coverage from both companies. Yes, I pay a little more for that, but to me, the peace of mind is well worth it.

[jvitiel]

Thanks D, I appreciate your insight. Will be doing some shopping...