Insurance

[alaskanviking]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

I disagree. Go on hunter.sailboatowners.com and read JamesG161's experience with Progressive.



Let me tell you about my experience. I have Progressive. I bought through a marine agency and was as dubious as you are. Even the policy uses phrases like "collision" and "comprehensive" etc. I questioned the agent and was told "don't worry about it they know what they are doing".



Traveling in my H38 heading north on the AICW with a Catalina 38 right behind me. He has BoatUS/Geico. We both ran aground on a sand bar (in the channel) and stuck hard. A mile or so away we see a SeaTow boat. My traveling companion hails him first, tells him he has BoatUS. The response "Sorry sir, we don't work with them. I can pull you off but its $800 and I have to service another customer first.".



Then I hail him. "Oh you are TARDIS? I just got off the phone with Progressive and am en route to you now, be a couple of minutes." I had called Progressive literally 3 minutes before then.



So far, I'm happy.

So far, I like progressive. I didn't need a survey. The biggest issue is they won't insure a boat over 20years for more than 60k. The boat is worth 80-120k based on the last tax appraisals. Good to know about SeaTow.

Right now I'll take it. I'm not going anywhere this winter, and I'm busy working on the refit. A good chunk of my plumbing is ripped out, I have my electrical pulled out to minimum circuits needed, mast is sitting in the yard, and I got stuck with a "quick" ac and ducting install that has ballooned into a fairly large project. On track for things to be done spring/summer, but I don't want an insurance survey until after the work is done. At that point I'll do a full out survey.

That means I will have to shop elsewhere for insurance at that point. I'd hate to put all my money, time, and energy into the boat and the worst happens, and my coverage is under.

For those activity cruising or snowbirding, are you getting full insurance, just liability, or something else? Do you get Seatow?

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Paul L

If you are really not going to move the boat, you could call various brokers till you find one that can write a Port Risk Only policy. These do not allow you out of the port and are usually significantly cheaper.

Sorry for your troubles.
Please pay special attention to Paul, he is correct.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Difficult to answer meaningfully.

People use the term “best” to mean different things. As with most things, best doesn’t mean cheapest or even cheap. Do you mean comprehensive coverage, customer satisfaction in dealing with claims, financial resources, limits of coverage, area of travel, etc… or cheap?

True, didn't mean for the general term and usage.. Best meaning overall support, price is decent and fair, little to no hassle, yes I know most insurance are a pain, etc.. Just the best experience by real policy holders..

[KAT1]

Originally Posted by ramron67

I am in the process of a boat purchase, and I was just informed by BoatUS / GEICO that they will not insure the boat that I would like to purchase because it is >40 years old (44 yrs in my case).
Based on the responses here, I also contacted Markel and will wait to hear back from them, but any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I am a Canadian living in Massachusetts and I am not eligible for USAA.
Thanks!

Did you ever sort out your insurance? If so, with who? We are Canadians looking for insurance for a 2014 Beneteau that we will use on the Florida coast and over to Bahamas and we are looking for more than 500k 3P liability with the price of boats these days!

[Rockinar]

Shop around. They wanted $2400 for my new boat, I shopped around and got the same for $1200.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by KAT1

Did you ever sort out your insurance? If so, with who? We are Canadians looking for insurance for a 2014 Beneteau that we will use on the Florida coast and over to Bahamas and we are looking for more than 500k 3P liability with the price of boats these days!

Yes, he did. See Post #21.

[BuoyCall]

Originally Posted by alaskanviking

So far, I like progressive. I didn't need a survey. The biggest issue is they won't insure a boat over 20years for more than 60k. The boat is worth 80-120k based on the last tax appraisals. Good to know about SeaTow.

Right now I'll take it. I'm not going anywhere this winter, and I'm busy working on the refit. A good chunk of my plumbing is ripped out, I have my electrical pulled out to minimum circuits needed, mast is sitting in the yard, and I got stuck with a "quick" ac and ducting install that has ballooned into a fairly large project. On track for things to be done spring/summer, but I don't want an insurance survey until after the work is done. At that point I'll do a full out survey.

That means I will have to shop elsewhere for insurance at that point. I'd hate to put all my money, time, and energy into the boat and the worst happens, and my coverage is under.

For those activity cruising or snowbirding, are you getting full insurance, just liability, or something else? Do you get Seatow?

If your needing a quote let me know. I made sailboats and smaller motor yachts my niche.