tom&shan
New member
What's the opinion on purchasing the annual Boat/US Towing Insurance?
Recommend it ? Don't need it ?
Tom
Recommend it ? Don't need it ?
Tom
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Boat US Towing Insurance
- Thread starter tom&shan
- Start date
That would be a personal decision.
I have the unlimited gold Vessel Assist through Boat U.S.- but then again, I cruise our Channel Islands.
I haven't had to use it, but consider it cheap insurance if I did need it.
I also carry Good Sam RV emergency road service for when we are in the motorhome.
I have the unlimited gold Vessel Assist through Boat U.S.- but then again, I cruise our Channel Islands.
I haven't had to use it, but consider it cheap insurance if I did need it.
I also carry Good Sam RV emergency road service for when we are in the motorhome.
Like Roger, we have the Unlimited Boat US towing insurance. Haven't needed it (yet), but I've talked with those who have... sign the paper and thank the nice towboat guy. If you only use it once every 5 or 6 years, it will have paid for itself.
We don't have twin engines on our boat... I figure this is much less expensive. :wink:
We don't have twin engines on our boat... I figure this is much less expensive. :wink:
We also have the unlimited insurance, as well and are very happy with it.
However, we just got our renewal notice and it mentioned a 70% reduction for unlimited service. In reading the fine print I noticed that we were limited to fresh water only on the unlimited, but we boat in salt water, too.
I called them and got put back on the previous plan. They noted that we live in Ohio, which has a dearth of salt water and they assumed that we wouldn't need the salt water coverage. I guess that they were trying to do the best thing for us, but if I hadn't caught the change, it could have cost us big time.
Nick
"Valkyrie"[/i]
However, we just got our renewal notice and it mentioned a 70% reduction for unlimited service. In reading the fine print I noticed that we were limited to fresh water only on the unlimited, but we boat in salt water, too.
I called them and got put back on the previous plan. They noted that we live in Ohio, which has a dearth of salt water and they assumed that we wouldn't need the salt water coverage. I guess that they were trying to do the best thing for us, but if I hadn't caught the change, it could have cost us big time.
Nick
"Valkyrie"[/i]
As a new boat owner, and being new to boating, I want to make sure I have our bases covered. I purchased what I believe to be good, comprehensive, yacht insurance (Chubb). I told our broker I also intended to the Boat US coverage.
He said, "Why? You're covered up to the full value of your boat. We want you to do the right thing. Get the assist you need, pay, and you'll be reimbursed within a week."
Does this make sense? It seems to (naive) me, the carrier would much rather I pay the $100+. Do insurance carriers pay negotiated (lower) rates to vessel assist vendors, on behalf of their insured?
Cheers,
Bruce
He said, "Why? You're covered up to the full value of your boat. We want you to do the right thing. Get the assist you need, pay, and you'll be reimbursed within a week."
Does this make sense? It seems to (naive) me, the carrier would much rather I pay the $100+. Do insurance carriers pay negotiated (lower) rates to vessel assist vendors, on behalf of their insured?
Cheers,
Bruce
Belltown":3ktffjpl said:Do insurance carriers pay negotiated (lower) rates to vessel assist vendors, on behalf of their insured?
Cheers,
Bruce
Yes-- just like AAA and any other road service or tow service entity.
They sell contracts to the various providers that will accept their terms.
Roger
20dauntless
New member
I bought it this year for the first time. Check out Richard Rodriguez's blog at the link below:
http://captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com/
I figured the $150 was worth it since I have a single without a kicker. And it's valid on both the C-Dory and the Whaler, so I am not on the hook for a big towing bill if there is a problem.
http://captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com/
I figured the $150 was worth it since I have a single without a kicker. And it's valid on both the C-Dory and the Whaler, so I am not on the hook for a big towing bill if there is a problem.
Hello,
I wonder if you had a large towing bill if it would affect you insurance on next years insurance premium? For what unlimited towing insurance costs, I for one would be inclined to keep it separate from any insurance policy that was covering the boat for damages thefts etc. for fear of what might happen rate wise down the road. If you ever shopped for a better rate with a different insurance the dreaded question come up have you ever filed any claims with your current carrier?
D.D.
I wonder if you had a large towing bill if it would affect you insurance on next years insurance premium? For what unlimited towing insurance costs, I for one would be inclined to keep it separate from any insurance policy that was covering the boat for damages thefts etc. for fear of what might happen rate wise down the road. If you ever shopped for a better rate with a different insurance the dreaded question come up have you ever filed any claims with your current carrier?
D.D.
Dave,
I'm not sure about others here, but my boat insurance is with Progressive, while BOAT US towing insurance is merely part of my membership in the organization, so they can't raise my premiums.
I had BOAT US insurance on my boats for years, but their quote on Valkyrie was nearly triple that of Progressive for the same coverage.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
I'm not sure about others here, but my boat insurance is with Progressive, while BOAT US towing insurance is merely part of my membership in the organization, so they can't raise my premiums.
I had BOAT US insurance on my boats for years, but their quote on Valkyrie was nearly triple that of Progressive for the same coverage.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
CatyMae n Steve
New member
The only words of caution I'd give are "check to see if they cover the areas in which you boat. No sense paying if they don't have vessels in your area to help you :wink:
Caty
Caty
Fun Patrol
New member
Ever wonder how people got by before they invented (for profit) towing insurance? Totally needless in my view. Just about the only reason you would need to be towed is if your motor quit. The most usual cause of that is running out of gas. I think it is best to be self-sufficient. Things like paying attention to your fuel supply and having a backup, a spare prop and a 2nd motor should take care of it.
We wander off the beaten track as much as possible. Maybe way back in a canyon in Lake Powell in the off-season. I suppose you could call Boat US if you had a satelite phone, but it would be much easier and faster to just fire up the kicker and take care of yourself. I've towed a few boats in over the years. Sailboats run out of wind or get swamped. Power boats quit. I enjoy being a good samaritan and find that most other people do too.
Have fun out there,
Roy
We wander off the beaten track as much as possible. Maybe way back in a canyon in Lake Powell in the off-season. I suppose you could call Boat US if you had a satelite phone, but it would be much easier and faster to just fire up the kicker and take care of yourself. I've towed a few boats in over the years. Sailboats run out of wind or get swamped. Power boats quit. I enjoy being a good samaritan and find that most other people do too.
Have fun out there,
Roy
I don't have separate towing insurance. Look at Boat US coverage areas. The insurance is pretty much useless precisely where it would be most important to me, i.e., Northern BC coast and S.E. Alaska.
In fact I had to search a bit to find general casualty insurance for a 22 foot boat travelling up the Inside Passage. I was told by more than one broker that their carriers simply do not insure small boats in Alaskan coastal waters, or on the BC coast beyond the Vancouver and Southern Strait of Georgia vicinity.
Do most of you in Alaska just go without insurance (casualty or towing) on your boats?
In fact I had to search a bit to find general casualty insurance for a 22 foot boat travelling up the Inside Passage. I was told by more than one broker that their carriers simply do not insure small boats in Alaskan coastal waters, or on the BC coast beyond the Vancouver and Southern Strait of Georgia vicinity.
Do most of you in Alaska just go without insurance (casualty or towing) on your boats?
NORO LIM":bpfic4uu said:In fact I had to search a bit to find general casualty insurance for a 22 foot boat travelling up the Inside Passage. I was told by more than one broker that their carriers simply do not insure small boats in Alaskan coastal waters, or on the BC coast beyond the Vancouver and Southern Strait of Georgia vicinity.
When I went looking for new yacht (not boat, like Progressive -- there is a difference) insurance I decided to work with Jill Landback at Anchor Marine Underwriters in Seattle. I told Jill that I wanted to be able to cruise my boat in Florida (outside of hurricane season), Mexico, the Bahamas and Alaska. She got me a policy with Markel, and yes, it is more expensive. But one of the reasons I went with them is that they are willing to write me riders for specific cruises (e.g., the Bahamas.) You can't do that with "boat" insurance. As with everything, there is a cost.
Warren
Warren,
I couldn't agree more. I got insurance through Markel last year myself before we went north. It is more expensive, but what's the point in having cheaper insurance that doesn't cover much of what I got the boat for? I guess I remain surprised, though, at the apparent scarcity of coverage in Alaska for small recreational boats. The Markel broker told me she was able to find just one company currently offering coverage there.
I couldn't agree more. I got insurance through Markel last year myself before we went north. It is more expensive, but what's the point in having cheaper insurance that doesn't cover much of what I got the boat for? I guess I remain surprised, though, at the apparent scarcity of coverage in Alaska for small recreational boats. The Markel broker told me she was able to find just one company currently offering coverage there.
matt_unique
New member
I keep the max Tow Boat US insurance with the Trailer Assist. It's cheap insurance and a good tool to have in the tool box. Some years ago my rear-end blew out in my Jeep towing my boat 150 miles. AAA towed my Jeep but I needed a friend to drive 100 miles round trip at 11pm at night to get my boat.
When my steering gave out a few weeks ago, I would have been in a real jam without a tow. Turns out the shop provided the tow but otherwise I had no means to move the boat. My engines were toed outward and the steering wheel would spin freely like a bicycle wheel with no resistance and obviously not turning the engines at all. Tow Boat US is definitely cheap insurance and they offer good coverage in MA and RI where I primarily boat.
When my steering gave out a few weeks ago, I would have been in a real jam without a tow. Turns out the shop provided the tow but otherwise I had no means to move the boat. My engines were toed outward and the steering wheel would spin freely like a bicycle wheel with no resistance and obviously not turning the engines at all. Tow Boat US is definitely cheap insurance and they offer good coverage in MA and RI where I primarily boat.
billtwymank
New member
*
As we are starting to get re-acquainted to our NC Coastal Waters, I was checking out the previous C-Brat postings on subject.
I am not sure if Boat US or Tow Boat provides the better year after year service.
It is my understanding that Tow Boat sends a "sign up commission" to the Tow Boat franchisees at time of yearly payment
but
Boat US franchises do not receive any money until they perform a function for the insured boat that calls in for assistance.
Would this mean Boat US will provide better support?
At this time we do not have a trailer nor do we plan on trailering Lady KC.
Any input on this subject will be appreciated.
x
As we are starting to get re-acquainted to our NC Coastal Waters, I was checking out the previous C-Brat postings on subject.
I am not sure if Boat US or Tow Boat provides the better year after year service.
It is my understanding that Tow Boat sends a "sign up commission" to the Tow Boat franchisees at time of yearly payment
but
Boat US franchises do not receive any money until they perform a function for the insured boat that calls in for assistance.
Would this mean Boat US will provide better support?
At this time we do not have a trailer nor do we plan on trailering Lady KC.
Any input on this subject will be appreciated.
x
Never have had to use it yet (knock on wood) but ditto! :thup :thupmatt_unique":6gpa2cet said:I keep the max Tow Boat US insurance with the Trailer Assist. It's cheap insurance and a good tool to have in the tool box.
Warren
Do not have any towing insurance, and never had. I keep my boats in good condition and have auxillary power. I have accepted commercial assistance once, and that was when I lost a transmission going into the Keil Canal lock; I would have been fine, using the RIB as a push boat, except a ferry cut me off at the last minute and I lost steerage. Cost for the commercial tug was $100.
There are also horror stories of towing insurance. For example a neighbor drug anchor, and had drifted into shoal water when he called Tow Boat US his tow carrier. The boat was not aground, but when the tow boat arrived over 3 hours later (base only 5 miles away). The Tow Boat US declared it a "Salvage" operation, and and my neighbor in his confusion initialed the document. Charge was $9,000! Not covered by Tow Boat US. Eventually his insurance company picked up some of the cost, but he ended up paying over $5,000 out of pocket--the irony is that the tow boat could not pull his boat of, but upon the owners insistance drug the stern into deep enough water that he could use his own props to pull the boat off.
I have also seen two boats badly damaged by a towing service after hurricane grounding. I have also stood by a boat in distress where it took 9 hours for the tow boat to arrive. I didn't take that boat in tow (where I could have gotten him into the harbor before the tow boat arrived) because he had already called the Tow Boat.
Yes there are positive experiences, but be sure you know the laws, the rules of salvage and what tow boats can and will do safely. 50 years ago, there was no towing service--boaters took care of other boaters, and the CG was there if you needed them!
There are also horror stories of towing insurance. For example a neighbor drug anchor, and had drifted into shoal water when he called Tow Boat US his tow carrier. The boat was not aground, but when the tow boat arrived over 3 hours later (base only 5 miles away). The Tow Boat US declared it a "Salvage" operation, and and my neighbor in his confusion initialed the document. Charge was $9,000! Not covered by Tow Boat US. Eventually his insurance company picked up some of the cost, but he ended up paying over $5,000 out of pocket--the irony is that the tow boat could not pull his boat of, but upon the owners insistance drug the stern into deep enough water that he could use his own props to pull the boat off.
I have also seen two boats badly damaged by a towing service after hurricane grounding. I have also stood by a boat in distress where it took 9 hours for the tow boat to arrive. I didn't take that boat in tow (where I could have gotten him into the harbor before the tow boat arrived) because he had already called the Tow Boat.
Yes there are positive experiences, but be sure you know the laws, the rules of salvage and what tow boats can and will do safely. 50 years ago, there was no towing service--boaters took care of other boaters, and the CG was there if you needed them!