BoatU.S (GEICO) Marine Insurance-Survey Reminder

[Peter Trunfio]

Well…I finally got the call.

After several years of listening to tales of woe from other Pearson owners having surveys thrust upon them, I find myself in the same boat (pun intended).

I’m not completely opposed to getting the survey done…the last survey was when I bought the boat in March 2007.

I guess the bigger problem will be trying to “rectify” any corrective measure required BY the survey[or]…

The immediate problem, as I see it, is the survey is required before the current policy expires on Feb. 27, 2026.

The boat is currently on the hard in Mamaroneck, NY…with the canvas winter cover on.

Not sure how someone is going to survey the hull, deck, and rigging in the middle of winter, with the cover on?

I guess I’ll find out…

PMT

Peter M. Trunfio

S/V Annandale

1974 Pearson 10M #66

+1.917.640.6450 (c)

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Insurance <insu...@boatus.com>
Date: Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Subject: BoatU.S Marine Insurance-Survey Reminder
To: <peter....@gmail.com>

Dear Peter,

RE:BUS530XXXX

We are writing to remind you an acceptable Condition and Valuation Survey is required prior to your next renewal on 02/27/2026. Written confirmation of the action you plan to take regarding the surveyor's recommendations is also required as a condition of coverage.

Please email us a copy of the survey and your action plan to insu...@boatus.com. Failure to submit these documents in a timely manner may result in the non-renewal of your policy.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 1-877-581-2628.

We appreciate your business and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely, 

Rubenia Recinos
CA License # 0K53753 
877-581-2628 | GEICO Marine
GEICO Marine | BoatU.S. 
GMIC CA License #5171-4




Please be aware coverage cannot be bound, altered, or deleted by sending an email.


How would you rate my reply?
Great    Okay    Not Good

{#HS:3144390680-1385995#}

[Guy Johnson]

I switched to State Farm, saved more than 50%, no survey. 

Puffin was insured by Boat US, Geico starting in the early 90's. 

Guy

Puffin 10M #6

Sent from Outlook

---

From: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Trunfio <peter....@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 10:25 AM
To: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [pearson ] BoatU.S (GEICO) Marine Insurance-Survey Reminder

 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "pearson-boats" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pearson-boat...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CA%2BEzsx5kYdLL%2B%2B4q0x8W3J7-79WAUOgRheoJk68%2B5tQ0o4pCNg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Peter Trunfio]

P.S. Shame on me…I didn’t read the fine print on the renewal letter I got last January. I guess I had all summer to get a survey done whilst the boat was in the water…and uncovered…

PMT

Peter M. Trunfio

+1.917.640.6450 (c)

[Bob Maxwell]

Get different insurance. 

My son has my old P30 insured with Progressive. The boat is a '77 so 48 years old. No survey required. My current Express 37 is insured with Atlantic Specialty Insurance (policy provided by Burke Insurance in Salem MA). It's an '86, so 39 years old. Every few years I get a questionnaire asking me to attest to the condition of certain systems and they request a half dozen or so specific photos which are easy to provide.

In general, I think companies that are asking for surveys either don't understand boats, or without saying it out loud, they're incentivising you to go away.

My 2 cents.

Bob

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "pearson-boats" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pearson-boat...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CA%2BEzsx4UCjsdJstdidh8ByNYcfsKP51Hm8SE%3DCVy_n-sf%3DF7hw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dave Cole]

Abandon Ship.....err...no......abandon Geico!  

State Farm for the win here!  

If you keep talking to Geico ( not recommended), they will tell you that you will now need a survey at least every 5 years.  Take the cost of the survey, hassle, and expense, divide by 5 and add to your current policy cost.   Thats your new insurance cost.  

Dave

10M #26

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "pearson-boats" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pearson-boat...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CA%2BEzsx5kYdLL%2B%2B4q0x8W3J7-79WAUOgRheoJk68%2B5tQ0o4pCNg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Guy Johnson]

My state farm cruising area is anywhere withing 100miles of the US coast and the Bahamas. 

Way better than Geico. 

Guy

Sent from Outlook

---

From: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Bob Maxwell <jrmax...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 10:46 AM
To: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [pearson ] BoatU.S (GEICO) Marine Insurance-Survey Reminder

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAK8p_9P3g3Y%3DA_OoBr9%3D8rXJh1b197rBL%3Di9LyNrgw%3DkSJkdhw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jim Keszenheimer]

I have progressive on my ‘75 10m. No survey and ~$700 per year for $12k replacement. Kind of low but rate has gone up from $500 several years ago. I might call State Farm. 

Jim

On Nov 19, 2025, at 11:28 AM, Guy Johnson <guy...@hotmail.com> wrote:



My state farm cruising area is anywhere withing 100miles of the US coast and the Bahamas. 

Way better than Geico. 

Guy

Sent from Outlook

---

From: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Bob Maxwell <jrmax...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 10:46 AM
To: pearso...@googlegroups.com <pearso...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [pearson ] BoatU.S (GEICO) Marine Insurance-Survey Reminder

 

Get different insurance. 

My son has my old P30 insured with Progressive. The boat is a '77 so 48 years old. No survey required. My current Express 37 is insured with Atlantic Specialty Insurance (policy provided by Burke Insurance in Salem MA). It's an '86, so 39 years old. Every few years I get a questionnaire asking me to attest to the condition of certain systems and they request a half dozen or so specific photos which are easy to provide.

In general, I think companies that are asking for surveys either don't understand boats, or without saying it out loud, they're incentivising you to go away.

My 2 cents.

Bob

On Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM Peter Trunfio <peter....@gmail.com> wrote:

P.S. Shame on me…I didn’t read the fine print on the renewal letter I got last January. I guess I had all summer to get a survey done whilst the boat was in the water…and uncovered…

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/LV3P220MB1540DFCB89EFC71FCE672300BCD7A%40LV3P220MB1540.NAMP220.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[Peter Trunfio]

Thanks for all the feedback…

I just spoke to someone in the marine department at my insurance broker…he’s going to try Progressive first.

I mentioned that some of you are with State Farm, and could he access them?

He said, “no, they are a direct writer.” I would have to either go directly to them, or go through an appointed State Farm agent, which he is not.

But here was his word of CAUTION, which I think is worth passing on to those of you with State Farm.

He said that State Farm does NOT cover “wreck removal,” which, let’s be honest, is probably the biggest exposure that most of us have on our 50 year old Pearsons.

That is, the likeliest scenario for my boat to have a TOTAL loss is not hitting another boat at 4 knots.

It is that it either a) sinks at the mooring, due to some mechanical failure, or b) breaks free of the mooring in a storm, and then either sinks or ends up on a beach somewhere.

Yes, the GEICO policy (and all others) have the mandatory “Fuel & Other Spill” liability limits, in case of an environmental spill.

But if what he says is true, that the State Farm policies do not cover wreck removal (i.e., raising the hull off of the bottom, or hauling it off the beach), then that could be a substantial uncovered loss.

Just suggesting that those of you with State Farm confirm with your agent whether these scenarios are covered…or not?

Your mileage may vary…

PMT

Peter M. Trunfio

+1.917.640.6450 (c)

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/LV3P220MB1540DFCB89EFC71FCE672300BCD7A%40LV3P220MB1540.NAMP220.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[Dave Cole]

You should save some $ with State Farm.  

Im paying less than $250/yr.  But they also insure two houses for me.  So they have a steady income stream from me anyway!  

Dave

10M #26

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/4B3E60D2-BF1E-42C9-A41C-F38E012298C5%40gmail.com.

[Alptraveler]

I ran into the same thing and had many of the same thoughts/questions. When they would not connect me to the proper department so I can get accurate information it pi**ed me off. Not only that, down state I have 2 older boats at my lake house where I actually live; a pontoon and a 12' sailboat. When they could not definitively tell me if a survey would also be required on those 2 boats as well it made me realize I was dealing with a company run by an answering service. I could understand the reasoning for the Pearson to require a survey but a pontoon & 12' sailboat???? When I called a local surveyor they laughed at me, they do not do surveys on the pontoons. The 12' boat, I only have liability on. We got quotes from 3 companies but narrowed it down between Allstate and Progressive. I did a deep dive re reviews,bbb,etc. We decided on Progressive. I chose them b/c I had some specific questions and when I called they took their time with me and got me.to 3 departments that could further answer my questions. Also, my insurance is for my value of purchase not what a company yrly depreciated without discussing with me.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAD5jJo2hCrBTZX0bk_YvU_RFnjrnEtmi9-H0wodd2AUOZy_XaQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[john getz]

I'm curious. I checked with State Farm when Geico said it was time to renew this year and they told me my '75 P36 was too old. I'm in Los Angeles. I've had no requests for a survey for my '89 Whaler Montauk in Michigan...

ALICE P36

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CADrSpbq2z4E_yJbw53B3svxou5ED_fAthriZ9GekRaXnDO1dqQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Alptraveler]

We checked State Farm, we strongly considered SF but the answers from Prog sealed the deal. In researching insurances(i have been with Boat US since the 80's) i discovered insurance companies are not apples to apples. We wanted higher liability but didn't necessarily need higher coverage in other areas,i.e. the pontoon. Before i got "the Geico letter" I had already called them to ask about the mysterious letter that e'one spoke of. They had no idea what I was talking about,than.....after my.season started i got the letter. I asked them if it could be completed in the water or did I have to pull her. Their answer was it didn't matter. My survey is $700-1200, e'few yrs was going to be asking a lot out of my pocket. I also ran into a guy this summer at a marina where their "repairs" we not done in a time frame that Geico wanted them done but before water launch, his next letter was a cancelation of insurance.

SF or Progressive did not request a survey and they were willing to insure her for the purchase price. Again, I have nothing to hide re getting a survey. A survey could be very informative but....not effective yrs.

If SF is what you want check with local SF in your boating area or back in Michigan where your other boat is. I happened to mention my dilemma to my house insurance company which is MEEMIC and they worked with Progressive. That is who we settled with. The price thru a rep, my house insurer, was cheaper than when we had gone thru the web for the same company.

Good luck, very stressful as I remember.

**we will still get boat us "tow" this spring. We find it mindfully comforting that.if we somehow need a tow in the Great Lakes-Canada or Michigan, that we won't be left to adrift.til we reach Chicago or Wisconsin. Both SF and Prog have a tow included but from i remember reading they are inadequate. Oh, SF did not have as high of coverage for salvage & fuel spill in the case of an accident,sinking or grounding.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAFsJ%3DNCx3K5Kr95c3S__%3DEsTFStB%2BriHEUdjuZqAhS1VmPn%3DRA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Charles Bachmann]

Save your self the HEADACHE   and switch  to  Progrressive  or Statefarm  ...

Although  in a few years  I dont think  any  of  old  classic  plastic boats  will  be insurable without  a survey  :( 

[Andrew Milkovits]

Couple things to add: 

- The surveyor I used for pre-purchase offered an "insurance only" survey option, which was not as thorough and much cheaper vs a pre-purchase survey.  If your preferred surveyor does not offer this, call around... 
- I switched to State Farm at the end of last year and saved over 50% vs Progressive

- My State Farm policy does cover wreck removal

- Filed a large claim with State Farm after only having had the boat insured with them for ~5 months at $47 a month, and it could not have gone more smoothly.  They never sent an adjuster and took the boatyard quote with no fuss.  They paid out close to $40k and still no premium increase (although I wouldn't be surprised if I see one) Incredible, really.  

- A claim with progressive was the exact opposite, and they started asking for proof I had resolved issues on a 5 year old survey that were unrelated to the claim (like receipts for out of date fire extinguishers, new lifelines, etc).  

Needless to say, SF now has two house policies with me, 2 cars and the boat.  I like that I have a local agent as well.

My .02,,,

Andrew

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "pearson-boats" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pearson-boat...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/91d23e35-0ee1-4968-adaf-729cb8f486bbn%40googlegroups.com.

[Alptraveler]

Great input, that is what made our choice difficult of prog vs sf. SF locally knew NOTHING about large sailboats...and we live less than an hr from Lake St Clair, 1 hr from Erie, 1.5 hrs from Huron.Hmmm, not comforting. We called up north where our Pewrson is and their agent kept screwing up the quote. We went with Prog b/c we had our house/car agent as our person. I hope to NEVER use my insurance but i can't control the boat next to me if it catches fire,etc. Interesting, there have been a few boats as night that have been anchored in the upper lakes of Lake Michigan that have been involved with hit and runs.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAAXrsA%2B2b1G9n8jjtJjkNT-%3DokhQRF2SN7zU%3D36XVOwGN92eqA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Huck Mansmann]

I have had 2 boats totalled by hurricanes(Cindy in NJ in 2005 and Sandy in Delmarva in 2012). In both cases, State Farm took the wreck removal cost out of my insured amount.  After State Farm withdrew from marine insurance post Sandy, I insured the new ‘86 Pearson 36-2 with Seaworthy(recommended by the yacht broker McMichaels) without any survey required. When they declined to renew after several years, I switched to Allstate, which doesn’t require a survey or home port and covers up to 100 miles offshore during any season.  They were even willing to ensure a stated value $10,000 above what I had paid(which was based on comparable listings and prices paid).  Not clear what would happen if totalled.  State Farm, who we use for everything else and who were back in the marine business by then, couldn’t match their price. 

Herbert C. Mansmann III
Cell: +1-610-715-3716

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CADrSpbpb9uiPeGC_4ox966v8XDqbQGq4O%2BOa5hhh8oexhmD-%3DQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Stephen Craft]

Thanks Guy!

I will check out State Fam.  Jubilee has me now on their storage list!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/LV3P220MB15408FEF694E565C772F4596BCD7A%40LV3P220MB1540.NAMP220.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

--

--
                    |._
                    |._(     Stephen Craft
         <|.__..-'|.     
          ,|      .|)\        (617) 645-3650
          /|      .|) \
         /.|)     .|)  \
        / .|)     .|)   \     Pearson 10M  "Cool Change"
       /  .|)     .|)    \
      /   .|)     .|)     \
     /  ,--+---_ |       \ ,
  '\==-,,;,,;,,;,,,,,,,-==;7
 _ \__...____...__ __/
   ~              ~~~~  ~~

[Dave Cole]

The deal that killed Geico for me was the frequency of the surveys.  They told me every 5 years at least.  

Dave

10M #26

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "pearson-boats" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pearson-boat...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/91d23e35-0ee1-4968-adaf-729cb8f486bbn%40googlegroups.com.

[Jeff Griglack]

I looked at that the frequency of surveys to be an additional cost of insuring with them.  So, it cost me $800 for the survey last year, and I figure that means that the actual cost of the insurance is x + 160.  I would use this when comparing to other insurance if I could get other insurers to return my calls.

------------------------------------------------------------------
| Jeff Griglack             "Jabberwocky" P-365 #269

------------------------------------------------------------------
| "Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent"
|                   - Walt Kelly
| 'Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this
| world, Elwood, you must be" – she always called me Elwood –
| "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
| Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.'
|               —James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd
------------------------------------------------------------------

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAD5jJo2mxZ5jUG839s8CfYh52c1-fTaG6OuPVyPQZM12y1iUJw%40mail.gmail.com.

[john getz]

I'll be interested to hear what anyone comes up with and, if I still have the boat, I may change insurers next year. I'll be with Geico until then, with three years to go before they'd require another survey. It'll be my 80th next year so I'm thinking insurors will be the next owner's business. Anyone want a '75 P36 on the West Coast?

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAJj5SXLoi_KcMSuATDMQvwmZqkYZtwMxrsASagp2%3D3C8Str%2B6g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dave Cole]

Additional cost... I agree.   But for me its also significant time as well.  The boat is two hours from me.  I spent 12+ hours shopping for insurance.  I think I wrote 4-5 emails to Geico.  

I think if the insurance companies want a survey, they should have surveyors lined up to do it.  Dumping it on the customer with basically no guidance at all is BS.  

Also Geico told me they would require a survey " at least" every 5 years.  So they could make it every two years or every year.

Dave

10M #26

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAJj5SXLoi_KcMSuATDMQvwmZqkYZtwMxrsASagp2%3D3C8Str%2B6g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jeff Griglack]

The insurance companies used to have surveyors that they would pay a smaller amount for an "insurance survey," which was less extensive than a full survey, and the insurance companies used to pay for it because they required it.  Now, it's another thing that the customer has to pay for it even though the insurance companies require it.  It's kind of like how I flew Breeze Airlines, recently, and they charged me $40 for my carry-on bag so that my $90 one-way ticket became a $130 one-way ticket.

------------------------------------------------------------------
| Jeff Griglack             "Jabberwocky" P-365 #269

------------------------------------------------------------------
| "Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent"
|                   - Walt Kelly
| 'Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this
| world, Elwood, you must be" – she always called me Elwood –
| "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
| Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.'
|               —James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd
------------------------------------------------------------------

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pearson-boats/CAD5jJo1KHsvvg1KWum6GQAT742ZyS2t4GdvFnDqsyn3C99yqGA%40mail.gmail.com.