I'm looking to switch insurance companies, from Boat US to Allstate. Boat US doubled my rates in the last 2 years, I have never put in a claim. I guess we all have to pay for the past hurricane damage. Allstate is going to be $200.00 cheaper since we have our homeowners and autos insured with them. Has anybody had good or bad experiences with Allstate. Thanks in advance. Ozana Halik
Allstate insurance
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No problems
I too have Allstate on my home and cars, and when Boat US and others wanted to charge me 400+ for insurance I checked with my agent not thinking it would be any better. Well low and behold, it was about 200 cheaper too! Now I haven't had to put in a claim so I don't know what they would be like if I did, but my policy has the same coverages that the "Boat insurers" did, so I'm not sure it makes much difference. Cheers, Tim
I too have Allstate on my home and cars, and when Boat US and others wanted to charge me 400+ for insurance I checked with my agent not thinking it would be any better. Well low and behold, it was about 200 cheaper too! Now I haven't had to put in a claim so I don't know what they would be like if I did, but my policy has the same coverages that the "Boat insurers" did, so I'm not sure it makes much difference. Cheers, Tim
It depends
In my experience, it depends how big your boat is. Allstate or any of these others, may be good insurance companies. But they are more accustomed to writing coverage for bass boats and runabouts. So if you have a 40 ft. boat, they will treat it like like a bass boat and only longer. However, a company which writes maritime industry insurance will take into consideration such things as the skipper's experience, whether or not the engine is diesel, whether it is sail or power which means more and better coverage at a good rate.
In my experience, it depends how big your boat is. Allstate or any of these others, may be good insurance companies. But they are more accustomed to writing coverage for bass boats and runabouts. So if you have a 40 ft. boat, they will treat it like like a bass boat and only longer. However, a company which writes maritime industry insurance will take into consideration such things as the skipper's experience, whether or not the engine is diesel, whether it is sail or power which means more and better coverage at a good rate.
Just something to think about
Allstate is a good company. They are the largest auto writer in the US. This is because they specialize in auto insurance. I would really review the policy conditions and add'l coverages offered by a carrier who specializes in boat ins. and then compare them to the Allstate cover. Given the attitude most adjusters have today, I would not want a property adjuster paying the claim on a boat. Is the $200 in savings offsetting the doubling in premium? Just food for thought..... Jeff
Allstate is a good company. They are the largest auto writer in the US. This is because they specialize in auto insurance. I would really review the policy conditions and add'l coverages offered by a carrier who specializes in boat ins. and then compare them to the Allstate cover. Given the attitude most adjusters have today, I would not want a property adjuster paying the claim on a boat. Is the $200 in savings offsetting the doubling in premium? Just food for thought..... Jeff
Allstate
I switched to Allstate a number of years ago after having a problem with a claim following a lightning strike with major damage with the company I had at the time that took over a year to resolve. I have had no claims with Allstate, but they provided discounts for my experience and training and the policy seems to cover most everything that could happen. In my midwest location, the agent seems to now quite a bit about boats and boat repairs. I am not sure what will happen if I ever have to deal with an adjuster, but it would take a good deal of effort to match the absolutely terrible situation I encountered before. BoatUS has avery good reputation around here. The difference in cost is, however, an important item to consider. If I were you, I would quiz the Allstate agent with on point questions and see if there are any boat owners in your immediate area with experiences with the company.
I switched to Allstate a number of years ago after having a problem with a claim following a lightning strike with major damage with the company I had at the time that took over a year to resolve. I have had no claims with Allstate, but they provided discounts for my experience and training and the policy seems to cover most everything that could happen. In my midwest location, the agent seems to now quite a bit about boats and boat repairs. I am not sure what will happen if I ever have to deal with an adjuster, but it would take a good deal of effort to match the absolutely terrible situation I encountered before. BoatUS has avery good reputation around here. The difference in cost is, however, an important item to consider. If I were you, I would quiz the Allstate agent with on point questions and see if there are any boat owners in your immediate area with experiences with the company.
'Immediate area' is the key.
We had a thread on this subject this spring. Insurance companies are made up of people, so the folks working for them in your area is key. I went with Allstate too. (package deal, had 'em before, good coverage and claim response.) On that thread this year, a lot of Boat US employees must have written in, because they won the opinion poll.
We had a thread on this subject this spring. Insurance companies are made up of people, so the folks working for them in your area is key. I went with Allstate too. (package deal, had 'em before, good coverage and claim response.) On that thread this year, a lot of Boat US employees must have written in, because they won the opinion poll.
Boat Insurance
I too switched to Allstate to dodge excessive premium/rate increases with "marine underwriters and insurance". My thinking was that Allstate is a major player in the insurance business. All kinds of insurance. So I believe they know the insurance business, be it a house, car, boat, RV, life or what ever. Believe they know how to evaluate a loss and take the steps necessary to deal with the damage and take care of their customer, regardless of what commodity was covered by the insurance. I an certain that if they don't have qualified adjusters to deal with claims they will get someone that does. So is it worth $200-$300 annual savings? I think so.
I too switched to Allstate to dodge excessive premium/rate increases with "marine underwriters and insurance". My thinking was that Allstate is a major player in the insurance business. All kinds of insurance. So I believe they know the insurance business, be it a house, car, boat, RV, life or what ever. Believe they know how to evaluate a loss and take the steps necessary to deal with the damage and take care of their customer, regardless of what commodity was covered by the insurance. I an certain that if they don't have qualified adjusters to deal with claims they will get someone that does. So is it worth $200-$300 annual savings? I think so.
Not sure about Allstate for larger boats.
As Allen J. points out, larger more expensive boats really require a company having REAL expertise in the area. I insured my last boat (2000 Hunter 290) with USAA and since it was below $100k in value, they were extremely competitive and underwrote it themselves. With my new boat (2004 Hunter 386) they couldn't deal with it and looked outside for the underwriting. Boat US came in with a quote that was 60% of USAA's and I was so happy with that I really didn't look further.
As Allen J. points out, larger more expensive boats really require a company having REAL expertise in the area. I insured my last boat (2000 Hunter 290) with USAA and since it was below $100k in value, they were extremely competitive and underwrote it themselves. With my new boat (2004 Hunter 386) they couldn't deal with it and looked outside for the underwriting. Boat US came in with a quote that was 60% of USAA's and I was so happy with that I really didn't look further.
Allstate - Good and Bad
My experience with Allstate was this - Had my autos, and homeowners policy with Allstate, and added my boat when purchased in '98. Sept '00 I filed a claim when I had a failed forestay, which resulted in a de-masting. They did pay out on the claim in a timely manner. Fast forward to Dec '02, when one week before closing on a new house, Allstate informs me that they cannot write a policy for me due to a prior claim (the boat). I was keeping my old house as a rental, and they also refused to write a landlord policy on that house. I had informed my agent at least one month prior about the policy changes, but I was left hanging with no insurance just before closing. Left me with a VERY bad feeling towards them. Needless to say, after some scrambling, I found a carrier that would cover the new house and rental house, and immediately after closing, I pulled all of my policies and moved them to Amica. There customer service has been outstanding, and their rates are better. Allstate won't ever get another policy from me. T J
My experience with Allstate was this - Had my autos, and homeowners policy with Allstate, and added my boat when purchased in '98. Sept '00 I filed a claim when I had a failed forestay, which resulted in a de-masting. They did pay out on the claim in a timely manner. Fast forward to Dec '02, when one week before closing on a new house, Allstate informs me that they cannot write a policy for me due to a prior claim (the boat). I was keeping my old house as a rental, and they also refused to write a landlord policy on that house. I had informed my agent at least one month prior about the policy changes, but I was left hanging with no insurance just before closing. Left me with a VERY bad feeling towards them. Needless to say, after some scrambling, I found a carrier that would cover the new house and rental house, and immediately after closing, I pulled all of my policies and moved them to Amica. There customer service has been outstanding, and their rates are better. Allstate won't ever get another policy from me. T J
TJ, are you sure there isn't another factor that
you might have left out? Most of us know enough of the insurance industry to avoid a second claim in a year. Do that and you're canceled.
you might have left out? Most of us know enough of the insurance industry to avoid a second claim in a year. Do that and you're canceled.
I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with Allstate
I have had Allstate since 1968 for Auto, Home, Umbrella Liability & Boats. Boats from 19' power to 26' 80 mph "Go Fast" to my current Hunter 450. GREAT Company. I have had 4 or 5 boat claims over the many years. All were handled to my complete satisfaction. My latest claim for a boat (Hunter 450) was 3 years ago when we were hit (secondary) by lighting. They got (and paid for) a surveyor, worked with my Hunter dealer who did all the work & wrote me a check for almost $20,000. This was all done with in 2 weeks of reporting the claim. Repairs made quickly and to my total satisfaction. Every time I look at other companies, they could / would not come close to Allstate's premium cost. You also get discounts for having all you insurance polices by Allstate. At this point in time I would never go any where else. Two things to keep in mine: 1st - Your premium cost is based upon where the boat is kept, but you are covered anywhere with in 100 miles of the US. We are based in the Chesapeake Bay, but go south to FL each winter. 2nd - If there is a deficiency in their coverage it would be if you had a fuel spill or something like that, so carry a Umbrella Liability Policy. With the Liability on Home, Auto & Boat you will be covered for any contingency. Gordon Myers s/v Utopia III (a h450)
I have had Allstate since 1968 for Auto, Home, Umbrella Liability & Boats. Boats from 19' power to 26' 80 mph "Go Fast" to my current Hunter 450. GREAT Company. I have had 4 or 5 boat claims over the many years. All were handled to my complete satisfaction. My latest claim for a boat (Hunter 450) was 3 years ago when we were hit (secondary) by lighting. They got (and paid for) a surveyor, worked with my Hunter dealer who did all the work & wrote me a check for almost $20,000. This was all done with in 2 weeks of reporting the claim. Repairs made quickly and to my total satisfaction. Every time I look at other companies, they could / would not come close to Allstate's premium cost. You also get discounts for having all you insurance polices by Allstate. At this point in time I would never go any where else. Two things to keep in mine: 1st - Your premium cost is based upon where the boat is kept, but you are covered anywhere with in 100 miles of the US. We are based in the Chesapeake Bay, but go south to FL each winter. 2nd - If there is a deficiency in their coverage it would be if you had a fuel spill or something like that, so carry a Umbrella Liability Policy. With the Liability on Home, Auto & Boat you will be covered for any contingency. Gordon Myers s/v Utopia III (a h450)
Higher deductable = MUCH lower premiums
The standard deductable on most yacht policies is 1% of agreed hull value. Increasing that to 2 or even 3% will usually save more in premiums than the additional out of pocket if you ever do have a claim. A true yacht policy has a separate much lower deductable--typically only $50 or $100--for electronics and other boat equipment anyway...increasing the overall deductable doesn't affect that deductable.
The standard deductable on most yacht policies is 1% of agreed hull value. Increasing that to 2 or even 3% will usually save more in premiums than the additional out of pocket if you ever do have a claim. A true yacht policy has a separate much lower deductable--typically only $50 or $100--for electronics and other boat equipment anyway...increasing the overall deductable doesn't affect that deductable.
They refused my claim
Allstate refused to pay my boat claim. My attorney said I had a good case to take them to court but the value of the boat was not worth the effort after our discussions so I let it go.
Allstate refused to pay my boat claim. My attorney said I had a good case to take them to court but the value of the boat was not worth the effort after our discussions so I let it go.
Allsnake, Snake Farm Etc.
One thing to remember above all, any insurance company is not your friend. To them you are just as number. Rates are important and you can check with your state department of insurance to see how many complaints any particular company has against them.
One thing to remember above all, any insurance company is not your friend. To them you are just as number. Rates are important and you can check with your state department of insurance to see how many complaints any particular company has against them.
Consider Progressive
I found that Progressive checks your home loan credit report. If you have good credit you can get very cost effective insurance. And I found them to be very fair 4-months later when I had a lightning strike. Realize that different locals may have different claims staff, byt two persons I delt with in MS wanted the "Customer" to be taken carte of. I'm sold. BTW, my claim was rather large, with a lot of electronics, inverter charger, unstep/restem mast to replace wiring in the mast, etc. Premium was much less that Boat US or state farm.
I found that Progressive checks your home loan credit report. If you have good credit you can get very cost effective insurance. And I found them to be very fair 4-months later when I had a lightning strike. Realize that different locals may have different claims staff, byt two persons I delt with in MS wanted the "Customer" to be taken carte of. I'm sold. BTW, my claim was rather large, with a lot of electronics, inverter charger, unstep/restem mast to replace wiring in the mast, etc. Premium was much less that Boat US or state farm.
Ozana, You're probably right........
...the reason your rates are going up so much is because of the record number of claims experianced by Boat US due to the September, 2003 hurricane. In order to keep the neccessary reserves to pay for large scale losses they need to replenish those reserves after the storm. Remember, all companies need to raise rates at some time or another otherwise their reserves aren't sufficient enough to cover their losses. Allstate is a good company with good honest people who work for them paying for the perils they have agreed to cover. Be sure you understand the coverages and ask your agent to review them with you. Most companies have a detailed brochure that does a good job outlining their policy. As for Alan J. in Biloxi, Mississippi, the remarks in your second post certainly tell us as much about your your ignorance as about your intelligence. Good luck Ozana, Joe Mullee (State Farm Insurance, Chairmans Council)
...the reason your rates are going up so much is because of the record number of claims experianced by Boat US due to the September, 2003 hurricane. In order to keep the neccessary reserves to pay for large scale losses they need to replenish those reserves after the storm. Remember, all companies need to raise rates at some time or another otherwise their reserves aren't sufficient enough to cover their losses. Allstate is a good company with good honest people who work for them paying for the perils they have agreed to cover. Be sure you understand the coverages and ask your agent to review them with you. Most companies have a detailed brochure that does a good job outlining their policy. As for Alan J. in Biloxi, Mississippi, the remarks in your second post certainly tell us as much about your your ignorance as about your intelligence. Good luck Ozana, Joe Mullee (State Farm Insurance, Chairmans Council)
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