This could happen to you! or, maybe it has.

Oct 22, 2014
352
Pearson P303 #221 RockPort Maine
For years and years 25 now I've joined a well known and most popular well known "Boat %$ towing program". and like most boat owners I looked at the highlights and not the total details. We all see the line items Unlimited GOLD 100% coverd. Ya Right!.

Last Fall I was sailing threw NY and we made our way up the cost in Conn. when our engine stopped. I procceded to check the situation and found it was bad fuel from a NY marina alot of dabree was cloging the filters (all 3 of them). While this was happening a weather check was happening by the crew and a severe storm was also appoching from the north we could see that lightning was hitting at a distant and desided to contact the towing company to bring us in to safe harbors. After contacting the company via VHF, The person stated the were too far to make it in time because they were 2 hours out. I was told to contact another tow company to get faster service. He proceeded to give me the phone number of othe company. I asked how does this work and how do they get paid? He proceeded to explain that I was coverd and just submit recipt to the main office and they will reimburse you. Great, So I thought.

We made the call.. and they came right out to bring us into port for the repairs at Brewers. What a great place! The storm came and stayed for 3 days of very bad weather. Anyway, The tow guy stated that I need to call the company that in with and get a athorized number for the tow. So I called the company and the girl said ok just send us the bill once you paid the company that towed us in.

While I was talking the guy gave me an $815.00 bill.. My heart sank.. Then, I stated to the girl on the phone how much it was and again she assured me that I was coverd just pay it and submitt the bill to us and we will process it quickly. So, I paid the man and off he went. We put into the mail all recipts..etc. and off went the bill.

When we finally were back home safe, I went to the mailbox and like they said Your checks in the mail... NOT! Dir sir, Your claim has been denied, Weather was clear, and Boat-US Rep. stated that he in no way said contact another tow vendor. WT$F. The guy even gave me his number to call.

Now! I know a red flag when I see one, so READ and understand the terms well! 50miles is 25out and 25miles back to there port of call. Anything over is billable. If, you are towed by another vendor your only coverd to max 150.00 any amount above this, is your money.

To even get the 150.00 I had to fight tooth and nail. They finaly sent me $150.00.

This to me is Bad business Practice!
 
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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
It has never happened to me but Bodega Bay Ca. area is blessed with a great Coast Guard station in our harbor. I came out of Tomales Bay one time in my Clipper Marine 26 and there were 13' rolling swells on the outside open sea. Our Coast Guard was practicing rescues out there and spotted me. One of the 55'ers broke away and circled me 2 times observing my seamanship in such conditions. Concluded the 2nd lap by saluting me and went back to his practicing. Love those guys! Chief
 
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Sep 25, 2008
7,075
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
That why I would never contract with any single tow company.

It's a trivial addition to our boat insurance policy to add towing coverage which is good anywhere, anytime with any company and it doesn't affect your premium if you ever use it.
 
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Jul 7, 2004
8,402
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Expensive eye opener! I'm sure this is good info for here. We sail a pond so our club property manager is our tow service than goodness. I've always been suspicious of towing insurance though. Even AAA on the cars.
 
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Jan 1, 2006
7,039
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I just changed my insurance policy yesterday. The agenda said they could include towing insurance. I declined since my towing contract isn't up until September. She said that the insurance company would contract with one of the local tow companies and it would likely be the same company I currently have. I'd have to look at the fine print like that 25 mile rule. INS CO's don't have my trust.
 
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Oct 22, 2014
352
Pearson P303 #221 RockPort Maine
That why I would never contract with any angle tow company.

It's a trivial addition to our boat insurance policy to add towing coverage which is good anywhere, anytime with any company and it doesn't affect your premium if you ever use it.
Good Point There! Now I will do investigation on Boat-US, Sea-Tow, Geico and all others to find the best of the bunch and report back on my findings here of my OPION.
 
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Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Do a search on marine insurance companies and Agreed Value policies. Buy insurance from a company and a broker who understands the boater risk environment. And you have to read and understand the policy. A broker can help with that. Insurers know most boaters stop reading when they get to the price.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,075
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Good Point There! Now I will do investigation on Boat-US, Sea-Tow, Geico and all others to find the best of the bunch and report back on my findings here of my OPION.
i think you will find that the underwriters differ in different geographical areas so generalities about which are better might be dubious.

We haven't had to use tow services often, fortunately, but when we have, it's always good to be able to call for any tow boat and watch then rush to beat the competition to the scene.
 
Sep 30, 2013
3,538
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
The insurance companies didn't build all those skyscrapers and sports arenas by taking losses. They built them by taking your money.

You could take your premiums to a casino, and have the same odds of coming out ahead.
 

WayneH

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Jan 22, 2008
1,039
Tartan 37 287 Pensacola, FL
B-US' Unlimited on the water towing is limited to $2500. So unlimited, huh? LOL. Just telling ya what the limits are for unlimited towing.
 
May 28, 2015
275
Catalina 385 Long Branch, NJ
Caught a strut / prop on a fish net about 7 years ago southeast of Newport, RI ... $5,000 later because it was considered salvage, not soft-grounding ... BoatUS boat, BoatUS unlimited, no coverage ... talked to my agent ... thought no coverage ... read my policy and called my insurance company myself ... 100% coverage. Read your policy, understand the Jones Act, Maritime Law is different ... bad stuff happens ... if you leave your slip don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
 
Oct 22, 2014
352
Pearson P303 #221 RockPort Maine
B-US' Unlimited on the water towing is limited to $2500. So unlimited, huh? LOL. Just telling ya what the limits are for unlimited towing.
Membership & On Water Towing Benefits
  • 24/7/365 Dispatch
  • Service good on all boats you own, borrow or rent
  • Serviced by Nation's largest fleet
  • Includes over 25 Benefits & Discounts
  • Highest Level of Rewards at West Marine Stores
  • BoatUS Pays first $50 of Towing bill
  • BoatUS Pays 100% for On Water Towing
  • BoatUS Pays 100% for On Water Jump Starts
  • BoatUS Pays 100% for On Water Fuel Delivery
  • BoatUS Pays 100% for Soft Ungroundings
  • BoatUS Pays 50% on Home Dock Tows
  • BoatUS Pays 100% on Home Dock Tows

According to BoatUS all the above is what you get with GOLD membership. However, reviewing there contract its not true.

Contract states:
Paid Services apply per Incident. An Incident is an event or series of events arising from the same breakdown. Member is responsible to pay expenses incurred in excess of Service Level active at the time of breakdown or soft grounding.

For non emergency assistance when a BoatUS Licensed Towing Company is not available, Member must contact 24 Hour Dispatch via VHF relay or 800-391-4869 prior to accepting assistance from another towing company. Upon authorization, Member is eligible for Paid Services up to $125 per hour from breakdown location to the nearest repair facility and soft ungrounding up to $10 per foot of boat length, up to Member's Service Level ($2,500 for Unlimited and $3,000 for Unlimited Gold). If towing service is not available, BoatUS will contact a government agency. To receive reimbursement consideration, invoice must be submitted within 90 days.

So what this really means that BoatUS will pay 125.00 towards the bill for one hour of assistance. However, ungrounding they will pay $10.00 per foot up to your service card level, another-words lets say you rented a 65 foot boat that's $650.00 then you get the $3,500.00 dollar bill and you say to yourself why even have it...LOL
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
The insurance companies didn't build all those skyscrapers and sports arenas by taking losses. They built them by taking your money.

You could take your premiums to a casino, and have the same odds of coming out ahead.
According to Investopedia, the best estimates of the average insurance company net profit margin are between 3 and 8%, with a likely median average around 4 to 5%. That's not excessive. The simple fact is big companies make big money, no matter WHAT they do.

Personally I'd never set foot on my boat without insurance. Who's that guy trying to fix his 40 foot Hunter that sank in its slip in a big storm?? He doing great work but its going to be YEARS before he sails again. No way I'd do that. I'd rather sail.
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,402
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
There's also the guy here with his boat still washed up on dry land and can't afford to get it floated again.
Insurance is part of the cost of ownership, although it would be nice if we didn't have the fine print.
 
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Mar 26, 2011
3,401
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
The message, which cannot be repeated too often, is that boating is NOT like driving a car. You can't step off and walk home. Personal responsibility cannot be dodged. If you go and have an adventure, you must be prepared to see the adventure through to the end.

Expecting a tow to be available is a bit like climbing a serious mountain and expecting a call to 911 to bring an ambulance; help might come, it might not, and when it comes, it won't be what you expected from city life. The OP should also have considered the VERY real possibility that there would be no tow. What would you do then? Sail in to the harbor. An engine breakdown is not really an emergency for a sail boat. Sailors must have a different scale of what defines an emergency and a fine sense of contingency planning.
 
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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Thinwater has the right perspective. I have insurance from BoatUS covering the boat and trailer. The minimal towing in the overall policy is all I have and have never used it. I have used the on road roadside repair for the trailer. As he indicates: engine breakdown for a sailboat should not deadline you nor be a true emergency. For me 2 "contingency planning" options are available if I lose power. Sail it in, or failing that I would fire up my dinghy, tie her alongside and take her in! If you have never tried the dinghy in this manner I suggest you do so. Line tie the dinghy motor straight ahead and steer from in the sailboat. Once in port untie dinghy, jump in it and slowly guide your sailboat into slip.
Seamanship! Chief
 
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Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
For many, many years I was proud to say that I had BoatUS towing coverage and never used it. Then the "manure hit the ventilating device" several times. Once middle Chesapeake Bay, once upper Chesapeake Bay, and three times (in 10 years) along Florida's Gulf Coast. (Writer's note: There are three types of sailors in Florida waters......Those who have run aground; Those who will run aground; and Those who lie!) In each case the TowBoat Captain acted in a professional manner, arrived in a reasonable amount of time, made a safe tow, and handed me a paper to sign. Several days to a week and a half later I received a notice of the incident and the charges that had been paid by the BoatUS coverage. I also received a questionnaire regarding the tow and the Captain's actions. In short, I have been completely satisfied with my experiences with TowBoatUS.

We have moved our sailboat to Seneca Lake in New York, and that brings up the decision to continue the coverage. (1) There is no TowBoatUS presence on the lake and a private tow would be needed. (2) We have rented an end of the dock slip so sailing to the dock is a realistic possibility to be considered if there were an engine issue. (3) The water in the lake is VERY deep! With no tide to consider the water at the dock remains at least 6 feet deep.

Yes, I think I hear the Members thinking: "That fool should continue Freshwater Coverage as a way to pay back the benefits he has already received."
 
Feb 14, 2014
7,399
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
median average around 4 to 5%
This is true for any well managed company. Please note that is Net Profit margin or...

AFTER TAXES

So tax them more, and you will still pay their taxes.
________

Coverages are more "peace of mind" and I really don't want to NEED to find out the fine print.

My agent chuckled when I asked for towing coverage. I asked why the laughter?
You have a sailboat with auxiliary power!:laugh:
I mentioned, have you ever run aground?

BTW I wondered why my 50HP diesel would only use 35 HP until hull speed reached.
I have 50 HP in reverse.:clap:
Jim...