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Boat US Marine Insurance

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jps

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Jan 13, 2004, 7:20:42 PM1/13/04
to
My boat policy is about to renew and I thought I'd do a little shopping
based on posts I've read about Boat US being a reasonable alternative.

Everything looked pretty much the same (including cost of coverage)
until I got to "uninsured boater" line. My present policy assumes
$50,000 and the Boat US is $300,000. I assume that if my vessel is a
total loss with someone else at fault, the max. payout with my present
policy is $50K (and the boat is worth significantly more).

I'm mystified why my broker would write the policy this way and
disappointed that I didn't see this previously.

Anyone have any insight? Is my broker shortsighted or what?

jps

Clams Canino

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Jan 13, 2004, 7:26:07 PM1/13/04
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It sounds like your broker was shortsighted. At least you caught it.

-W

"jps" <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6e2b305...@news.qwest.net...

Dan Krueger

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Jan 13, 2004, 8:22:50 PM1/13/04
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I had State Farm. They had the best price for my boat at the time when I
shopped them, Boat US, and Progressive. They sent my renewal and the premium
was over 30% higher than the previous year with zero claims. They also had a
nice, glossy, brochure explaining the reason for their large increase in Florida.

I resubmitted my applications to Boat US and Progressive and Progressive came in
lower than last year's premium with State Farm. I called them to make sure
the limits were comparable and asked them why they were so much cheaper that the
last time I shopped them. They said that they had expanded their "specialty"
insurance coverages (boats, motorcycles, and even Segways!).

I ended up switching and increasing my liability limits at the same time. I
still saved over $300 from State Farms's new rate. Boat US came in much higher
than Progressive but a tiny bit lower than State Farm.

Dan

Capt. Frank Hopkins

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Jan 13, 2004, 10:37:28 PM1/13/04
to
I use State Farm myself. I have a "multi-multi" discount for autos,
homeowner's, business, and boat which make the overall package very
attractive. My boat's insurance is 145/mo for 125k + liability, lost
equipment, and weather / windstorm. (It does include 2 million flood
which crosses over to home.) and there is an "up to" 500k medical per
incident as well. My boat is valued at 195k. Perhaps you can save a
little by buying more.

Two Axioms for you:
1. Flares are like blessings, you can never have enough.
2. Better to be over insured then under insured.

Do all the math before making a decision. BTW, Boat US will drop you
like a hot rivet if you ever make a claim.

Regards,

Capt. Frank

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks

RG

unread,
Jan 13, 2004, 10:45:10 PM1/13/04
to
>My boat is valued at 195k.

Say again?


jps

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Jan 13, 2004, 11:31:54 PM1/13/04
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In article <YP2Nb.8195$1e....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
aartwor...@earthlink.net says...

> I use State Farm myself. I have a "multi-multi" discount for autos,
> homeowner's, business, and boat which make the overall package very
> attractive. My boat's insurance is 145/mo for 125k + liability, lost
> equipment, and weather / windstorm. (It does include 2 million flood
> which crosses over to home.) and there is an "up to" 500k medical per
> incident as well. My boat is valued at 195k. Perhaps you can save a
> little by buying more.
>
> Two Axioms for you:
> 1. Flares are like blessings, you can never have enough.
> 2. Better to be over insured then under insured.
>
> Do all the math before making a decision. BTW, Boat US will drop you
> like a hot rivet if you ever make a claim.
>
> Regards,
>
> Capt. Frank

Very good advice on over-insuring.

My house and cars are with Safeco but, IIRC, I don't think they write
policies for boats.

I'm currently with a smaller, totally marine oriented company in Seattle
that uses Lloyds. I've asked them to up the "uninsured" line item.
Everything else looked right...

jps

b...@mikjhih.ydf

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Jan 13, 2004, 11:36:33 PM1/13/04
to

yes, you're an asshole

>Is my broker shortsighted or what?

no, you're an asshole, starting a normal thread to try and convince people
that you're not such an asshole (but you are)

>
>jps


jps

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 2:05:24 AM1/14/04
to
In article <J0TJ9SIY3800...@Gilgamesh-Frog.org>, b...@mikjhih.ydf
says...


Not on-topic enough for you fuckwad?

Get a life.

Curtis CCR

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 3:39:34 AM1/14/04
to
jps <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message news:<MPG.1a6e2b305...@news.qwest.net>...

"Uninsured Boater" coverage does not cover your boat. The hull value
is covered by "Boat and Boating Equipment Coverage", which the Boat US
policy equivalent to Collision and Comprehensive on your car. Just
like if you're hit in your car by an uninsured driver - it's your
collision coverage that repairs your car, not your unisured motorist
coverage.

"Uninsured Boater" covers those damages for which the uninsured boater
may be liable to you, except your boat itself. It would cover, for
example, medical expenses for you if the uninsured other guy was at
fault in a collision.

Short Wave Sportfishing

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Jan 14, 2004, 6:28:29 AM1/14/04
to

My two boats are insured as part of the house/car/personal liability
package, both boats are insured for full replacement value (new) and
about a zillion dollars liability and under-insured boater. The full
replacement value trick insures that I will at least get what I paid
for the boats without any deduction.

The only thing I can say about BoatUS is that I know somebody who
placed a claim, non-total, and BoatUS dropped him like a hot potato.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
"My rod and my reel - they comfort me."

St. Pete, 12 Lb. Test

RG

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 6:27:50 AM1/14/04
to
>
> My two boats are insured as part of the house/car/personal liability
> package, both boats are insured for full replacement value (new) and
> about a zillion dollars liability and under-insured boater. The full
> replacement value trick insures that I will at least get what I paid
> for the boats without any deduction.
>

Sounds like perhaps you're with Encompass, formerly known as CNA?


Short Wave Sportfishing

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 7:46:02 AM1/14/04
to

Used to be and they wrote a terrific policy - affordable too. The
current policies are a custom job done by an attorney for personal and
business reasons.

Tom Foppiano

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Jan 14, 2004, 8:21:56 AM1/14/04
to
I have had good experience with Boat US. My last policy had no coverage for
non boating personal items. This was an add on. Cost me a $700 video camera
that went over the side, not covered!!

Tom Foppiano
Atlantic Beach, Fla.


"jps" <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6e2b305...@news.qwest.net...

RG

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 9:22:09 AM1/14/04
to
> >
> >Sounds like perhaps you're with Encompass, formerly known as CNA?
>
> Used to be and they wrote a terrific policy - affordable too. The
> current policies are a custom job done by an attorney for personal and
> business reasons.
>

I've been with CNA/Encompass for 13 years, using their USP Elite product,
and really like the concept of a single policy covering all property and
casualty risks, including excess liability. Very well written coverage.
Sounds like you've taken that concept even further with your custom package.
Good move.


Short Wave Sportfishing

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 10:29:41 AM1/14/04
to

Didn't have a lot of choice what with insuring the kids cars, my
boats, some investment real estate, yada, yada, yada. :>)

I will say this - CNA was a great company to work with - had a couple
of claims and they didn't even burp - no cancellation, no nothing,.
adjusters very cooperative and knowledgable - couldn't ask for better
service.

RG

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 10:39:58 AM1/14/04
to
>
> I will say this - CNA was a great company to work with - had a couple
> of claims and they didn't even burp - no cancellation, no nothing,.
> adjusters very cooperative and knowledgable - couldn't ask for better
> service.
>

My experience as well. Call the claims dept., tell them the problem, fax
them a quote, a check's in the mail the next day. Simply outstanding
customer service. Always felt I was paying a premium price for a premium
product, which is the way I prefer to do things. I've never regretted
buying quality in any purchase ever made. Frequently have regretted
purchases made based on price alone.


jps

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 10:58:34 AM1/14/04
to
In article <c678797a.04011...@posting.google.com>,
curt...@sbcglobal.net says...

Okay, I understand but the question remains. Why would my broker write
the policy for $50K "uninsured boater?" If someone were to get hurt,
$50K can get eaten up pretty fast...

jps

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 11:02:24 AM1/14/04
to
In article <FnbNb.735$jL...@bignews4.bellsouth.net>,
tom...@bellsouth.net says...

> I have had good experience with Boat US. My last policy had no coverage for
> non boating personal items. This was an add on. Cost me a $700 video camera
> that went over the side, not covered!!

Those sorts of things are usually covered by homeowners policies if you
aren't covered by the boat policy.

It's a new year!

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 12:32:07 PM1/14/04
to
I placed a claim with Boat/US was completely satisfied with the service and
the speed they completed the inspection and paid the claim. The only thing
I lost by filing the claim is the 10% deduction for not filing a claim
within the last year.

My claim was due to hurricane damage not due to operator error, so it is
quiet possible they would have dropped me if they thought I was a bad risk.
Since I also use Geico who has a reputation for dropping high risk people, I
like the idea of doing business with those who keep fees low by only
insuring low risk individuals.


"Short Wave Sportfishing" <tomf123r...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:6l9a005p3fs1mma51...@4ax.com...

It's a new year!

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 12:36:57 PM1/14/04
to
"jps" <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message >
> Okay, I understand but the question remains. Why would my broker write
> the policy for $50K "uninsured boater?" If someone were to get hurt,
> $50K can get eaten up pretty fast...

The reason a broker would write that policy is it allowed him to give you a
low price, so you would buy the policy from him, allowing him to make his
commission. He did not do his job, and I would look for another insurance
agent and company.

Calif Bill

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Jan 14, 2004, 1:03:47 PM1/14/04
to

"jps" <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6f07042...@news.seanet.com...

Then your liability insurance kicks in. If someone other than the insured
is injured on your boat, it is your liability that works. If you are
injured by an uninsured boater / motorist then the uninsured motorist part
will pay the deductibles, etc from your health policies. And boat / car
damages upto the limits.


basskisser

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Jan 14, 2004, 1:34:22 PM1/14/04
to
jps <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message news:<MPG.1a6f07ec4...@news.seanet.com>...

The only trouble with that, is the fact that if you have a reasonable
premium, then the deductible is usually higher than the loss!! Also,
the way the market is today, one claim, and they cancel you, and when
you are cancelled because of a claim, it is pure hell getting another
policy.

jps

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 3:17:40 PM1/14/04
to
In article <Z6fNb.51451$5V2.66231@attbi_s53>, em...@address.com says...

Well, that's not the case here because she had all the rest of my
insurance.

She's since left the firm so I'm going to get some recommendations from
friends and family for a new broker...

jps

Rod McInnis

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 3:59:14 PM1/14/04
to

"jps" <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1a6e2b305...@news.qwest.net...


> Everything looked pretty much the same (including cost of coverage)
> until I got to "uninsured boater" line. My present policy assumes
> $50,000 and the Boat US is $300,000. I assume that if my vessel is a
> total loss with someone else at fault, the max. payout with my present
> policy is $50K (and the boat is worth significantly more).

I don't think that is correct, unless you are only getting liability
coverage.

You want to be covered for a large amount of liability, regardless of the
size or value of your boat. I was witness to a 18 foot runabout causing
millions of dollars in damage (it caught fire, drifted into a dock of very
expensive boats).

Depending on the value of your boat (and perhaps the bank) you may elect for
insurance that will cover any damage to your boat, regardless of the nature
of the damage. It could be an accident where you were at fault, storm
damage, theft, etc. This coverage generally wants to be for the true value
of the boat.

Then the insurance companies tend to throw other line items in there. For
example, my BOAT US policy contains:

"Fuel and other Spill Liabilty": This is becoming an important item as the
law enforcement agencies are starting to get tough on spills. I have heard
tales of some very large fines for relative minor fuel spills.

"Medical Payments": if someone gets hurt on your boat (slips and falls)
then this will provide some amount of coverage. If everyone who is likely
to ever be aboard your boat has their own insurance, you can skip this or
make it small to cover their deductable or co-pay amounts.

"Personal effects": if your boat sinks, this covers all the items you had
aboard.

Uninsured Boater: if someone else causes an accident who does not have
insurance, and there are expenses incurred that are not covered by
everything else, then this will kick in. It might pay additional to
medical, personal effects, fuel spills, etc.

> I'm mystified why my broker would write the policy this way and
> disappointed that I didn't see this previously.

Before you blame your broker, check and make sure what Uninsured Boater
means to them. Perhaps your broker was really doing you a favor by not
providing double coverage.

>
> Anyone have any insight? Is my broker shortsighted or what?

No, I think your broker was doing it right. I am sure if you asked for more
they would gladly provide it, but it may be redundant coverage.

Rod McInnis


Curtis CCR

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Jan 14, 2004, 5:38:01 PM1/14/04
to
jps <tr...@thedump.com> wrote in message news:<MPG.1a6f07042...@news.seanet.com>...

Okay. I just thought you felt that you didn't have enough "uninsured
boater" coverage based on the value of your boat. I was just pointing
out that they are really not related.

But you still have a good question. I would be guessing - it's
probably just a standard coverage level. What is "standard" often
differs from company to company.

An example of differing standards would be "spill liability" coverage.
With many boat policies that is part of your property damage
liability coverage. If you sink your boat (as a result of your
negligence or someone elses) or bust a tank in your slip and spill a
hundred gallons of diesel in the water, you can be liable for big $$$
in clean up costs. BOAT/US *yacht* policies have additional coverge
just for spills. It's $500K, even if you chose lower limits on other
liability. What does that have to do with "unisured boater"
coverage....?

...Just an example of how standards can be different.

Why did your broker only write $50K on your current unisured boater
coverage? Probably because it was typical coverage level. But
remember that *you* have a responsibility to think about your
coverage. If you didn't think that $50K was enough, you could've
asked for more. Then your broker probably would have explained the
coverage better than I could.

Curtis CCR

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 5:41:38 PM1/14/04
to
"Calif Bill" <bmckee...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message news:<7wfNb.9152$zj7....@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>...

Not neccesarily. Liability coverage only covers you if you are found
negligent. If the accident was someone elses fault, your liability
coverage may not kick in at all. So the amount of "unisured boater"
coverage is something to consider.

And "unisured boater" coverage does not cover damage to your boat.
Your "boating and boating equipment" coverage would handle that.

Calif Bill

unread,
Jan 14, 2004, 9:14:14 PM1/14/04
to

"Curtis CCR" <curt...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:c678797a.04011...@posting.google.com...

If the other person causes the accident and is uninsured, then is very
likely that your liability coverage is going to kick in, if anybody besides
you on your boat was injured.


Curtis CCR

unread,
Jan 15, 2004, 6:39:25 PM1/15/04
to
"Calif Bill" <bmckee...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message news:<WHmNb.9090$1e....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...

> "Curtis CCR" <curt...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:c678797a.04011...@posting.google.com...
> > "Calif Bill" <bmckee...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:<7wfNb.9152$zj7....@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>...

> > > Then your liability insurance kicks in. If someone other than the


> insured
> > > is injured on your boat, it is your liability that works. If you are
> > > injured by an uninsured boater / motorist then the uninsured motorist
> part
> > > will pay the deductibles, etc from your health policies. And boat / car
> > > damages upto the limits.

> > Not neccesarily. Liability coverage only covers you if you are found
> > negligent. If the accident was someone elses fault, your liability
> > coverage may not kick in at all. So the amount of "unisured boater"
> > coverage is something to consider.

> > And "unisured boater" coverage does not cover damage to your boat.
> > Your "boating and boating equipment" coverage would handle that.

> If the other person causes the accident and is uninsured, then is very
> likely that your liability coverage is going to kick in, if anybody besides
> you on your boat was injured.

Only if those people on your boat make a claim that you are legally
liable. Generally that would mean they have to claim that you were
negligent in some way. If that happens, it may have to go to court
before your insurer pays.

But this may be where I have something wrong. I am not sure if
uninsured boater coverage pays you and anyone on your boat, or just
you. The meat of description of the uninsured boater coverage on my
policy is (caps are my emphasis):

"...we will pay for the damages which, because of bodily injury
recevied aboard the insured boat, YOU ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO RECOVER
from the uninsured owner or operator of another boat that collides
with the insured boat.

"'Ininsured boater' and 'uninsured owner or operator' mean an owner or
operator of a boat other than the [insured boat] who is leaglly
responsible for the collision, and:

"A. to whom no liability policy applies; or B. who cannot be
identified (such as a hit-and-run operator)."

Liability coverage mainly says:

"...we will pay damages and any costs ASSESSED AGAINST YOU... for any
claim for suit covered under this policy for bodily injury or property
damage for which any INSURED BECOMES LEGALLY LIABLE though ownership,
maintenance or use of the insured boat. We will settle and defend as
we consider appropriate any claim or suit covered under this policy
which asks for these damages..."

As I said, your guests would have to make the claims, and possibly sue
you. the insurer could defend against the suit. Could make
friendship with your guests dicey - ya think? You can't make a
liability claim against yourself. If another boater was at fault, the
insurance company would have a case NOT to pay through your liability.

And by the way - you can't simply accept liability in advance and
expect the company to pay. There are usually exclusions, like mine,
that say something like, "We will not provide liability coverage
for... liability which has been assumed by the insured under a
contract or agreement..." (Though they usually will cover liability
under storage and slip rental contracts.)

"Medical Payments" coverage is more likely what would kick in if you
have it. It would probably kick in first as there is no assumption of
fault associated with it.

I used to think the same way you do about my auto insurance. But if
your liability coverage is going to kick in when uninsured boater or
medical payments runs out, why have the latter coverages all?

My agent straightened me out on that when I asked. Your liability
coverage only covers you when you are at fault. Uninsured
boater/motorist provides coverage when someone else is at fault and
doesn't have insurance or otherwise can't pay. Medical payements
coverage provides coverage without assigning negligence to anyone.

Ron Thornton

unread,
Jan 20, 2004, 12:50:29 AM1/20/04
to
Boat US reduced my coverage to "dockside only" after my claim from Izzy
was processed. For the privilege of this reduced coverage I loose the
10% no claim reduction and my new premium for my February 1 renewal is
up about 10%. So for this reduced coverage which translates into their
reduced exposure my new premium is about 20% higher.

Ron

I don't recieve e-mail at this address because of spam. E-mail me
at crtsrATmsnDOTcom.

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