Anyone have a cautionary tale about boat insurance?

[gbin]

I figured this was better here than on Bob L.’s boat insurance message board (though I’m definitely considering his company Worldwide Marine as well as others). I know that a few folks have offered me various insurance advice either on the boards or by PM, too, and I have been pursuing that advice.

Not really asking “Who do you use/like?” here. What I’d like to know instead is, given that I want agreed value and liability insurance for the 2020 Ranger 620FS I’m about to pick up, are there any companies you’ve had similar boat insurance with that let you down when you made some claim, and you’d therefore advise me NOT to go with? Please feel free to PM me about it rather than post a gripe about a specific company/agent here (which I suspect the moderators wouldn’t particularly care for).

I’m spending the weekend sifting through quotes from companies near and far, and I thought this would be very valuable information to have as I do so.

Thanks!

Gerry

[Boondock]

I go through Bob. Just one claim but progressive took good care of me.

Was my window that got knocked out due to a rock thrown from another car.
Was more than fair and a good experience. They added some cleanup time and even covered the dash that had new scratches due to the damage.

Maybe someone can speak on a total loss.

[LOWrider]

I've been planning to post our boat / insurance saga from last year, this post gave me reason to do so as it will hopefully help you and others when looking at insurance.

We've had insurance through Worldwide Marine (Bob) for 5 years now. Two boats insured (20 ft Crestliner, 17 ft Bankes). Both insured through Progressive, both agreed value policies that are very cost competitive to other insurance I researched. Bob and his company get high marks from me.

Two claims over the years - first year needed a lower unit repair from a rock on the Crestliner. Easy claim - Progressive worked with the mechanic and claim was processed literally within a week.

Then came last year. A Canadian friend on LOW said there are two kinds of fishermen on that lake. Those that have totaled a boat, those that are going to. I have now graduated to the second category. Brother and I were exploring in October off the main track, and even with two separate mapping chips up on two GPS displays found an unmarked rock with the Crestliner. We were only doing about 20 and took the rock right in the middle of the hull. Water was really high so what was likely a visible rock in normal times was just under the surface. We literally had to climb out of the boat and muscle it off the rock. Fully expected the bilge to start pumping, but (props to Crestliner welded hull) it was still water tight. Skeg was damaged, prop was ok so got it back to the house and pulled it out.

Damage to hull was significant. A bushel basket sized crater about 6-8 inches deep right smack dab in middle of the hull.

Got the boat home, dealer said that boat frame was damaged and was totaled. There began the Progressive odyssey. Progressive did not want to total it. Wanted the boat to be sent to a Marine repair specialist for analysis. I said fine but I wanted to talk to him with one question - how bad does it have to be to be a total loss. Called him and he was - let's just say a bit annoyed to be questioned - "We've never been able to not fix a boat with damage like that". My take - I know it can be smoothed and painted, but what about structurally?

After that call, I talked to Bob and our dealer, and we decided to get input at Crestliner. Contact was made and an Engineer immediately said that the frame was damaged and in no way could repairs be endorsed as being 100% safe and that problems wouldn't surface in the future. With Bob's guidance wrote a letter back to Progressive, and sent them that information. Progressive totaled the boat within one day and immediately had it picked up. Check arrived a couple weeks later.

So my net analysis - Bob and Worldwide - A+ from me. Progressive - still like them but be ready to push on big claims. Was never contentious, always professional contact, it's just he way it works. Crestliner welded hulls - used the insurance money to buy another one this spring.

Now if these two countries would just take the next logical step and start to allow property owners to cross the border (both ways) with proper safeguards, quarantines, etc. in place, we'll be able to use it. (Hopefully that comment doesn't derail the thread, but just paid our insurance, taxes and energy bill so I'm a bit . . . frustrated. New boat looks nice in the garage but I'm ready to put some scratches on it)

[gbin]

So what Bob sells through Worldwide Marine is actually Progressive Insurance? They never said anything about that when I called (and I can’t currently access my e-mail, so can’t look at whatever they sent me), nor did I see anything about that in my admittedly quick look at their website.

Gerry

[LOWrider]

It's an agency. Progressive is one of the companies they insure through. There are others.

Best to just call them. Really helpful.

[David Anderson]

I've had my share of issues with my 3 Ranger's I have owned. First 2 were insured by State Farm. My first claim was a prop strike bending the prop shaft. Fixed no problem. Second situation, I hit another boat that was drifting. My fault and thankfully no one was hurt but I did put his Yamaha out of commission. State Farm paid. Deciding a wheel boat might be better I bought a Ranger 620FS however State Farm would not renew me (maybe for good reason). Last year I hit a reef on Lac Seul that was in the channel as the buoys had not been reset. $22,000. This spring my Ranger bounced off a rock reef while drifting, another $8,000. I ended up with Safeco and both times the service was great and the checks were written within days of submitting a claim. Because the policy invoice had already been set, I simply paid the premium but I am holding my breath for next year. Whatever you do, make sure you are with a reputable company and don't look to save that next $20/year. Fiberglass boats are nice but not very forgiving especially if you want to keep them looking good.

[Bugler]

Originally Posted by gbin

So what Bob sells through Worldwide Marine is actually Progressive Insurance? They never said anything about that when I called (and I can’t currently access my e-mail, so can’t look at whatever they sent me), nor did I see anything about that in my admittedly quick look at their website.

Gerry

Yes Progressive. Then when I insured my RV through USAA, I ended up with Progressive again.

[gofishin]

Gerry, the reason for my new Ranger is that last fall my boat blew off the lift during a storm and sunk. I have a bit of a story.


After I got the boat out of the water and returned home, that night not being able to sleep, I got up and dug out my insurance policy. I almost died. My boat was only covered for 19K and was worth 49K. I couldn't believe my eyes.


What happened is that after 30 years with AF, I switched to Progressive to follow an agent who left AF to an independent. In looking back through email exchanges with the agent I explicitly required the coverage to be as good if not better than with AF and have it in emails that the coverage was the same. Additional the preliminary declaration for the quote with Progressive was at 49K. But somehow during the middle of selling our home and moving, I missed following up with the agent on the 19K.


So initially in working with Progressive we were trying to repair the boat for 19K, but in the end I was very nervous about repairing the boat and received letters from Ranger and from my dealer recommending the boat be totaled. It took a couple of months, but in the end, Progressive totaled the boat and wrote me a check of 49K even though my coverage was 19K. My new boat is still with Progressive but I have a new agency.



When checking make sure what ever insurance company you go with provides liability medical payments. From what I know most companies do not, Progressive I believe covers at 25K.


FYI I usually don't recommend any companies but Progressive really turned what could have been a disaster in just a really pain of getting coverage and a new boat.


Also check with the agents on what parts are used for engine repair, original manufacturer or Chinese knock off.

[Bugler]

My progressive coverage is at agreed value. Same on RV.

[gbin]

I know people are following my new boat saga, and I thought my feedback might be useful to somebody...

Looked into several possible insurers for my new boat, talked with and got quotes from 4: Worldwide Marine (our own Bob Luellen, though I spoke with Bill) = Progressive, BoatUS = Geico, Farmer's and State Farm.

I thought Worldwide Marine and Farmer's paid the most attention to what I was actually after, and also did the best job of answering my questions. That probably depends a lot on just who you talk with at whatever agency, though. Worldwide Marine also clearly provided the best bang for the buck, so that's who I went with.

State Farm wanted twice as much in premium for less coverage despite the fact that all of our other insurance is with them. Not looking good for them remaining our main insurance provider in the future...

Thanks again for your help, both public and private!

Gerry