Is BoatUS membership worth it?
- Thread starter cymeyer
- Start date
I've been a member since 1984. Never used the towing until a couple of years ago, then used it 4 times in 6 months.
Boat/US is more than a towing service, it is the largest and best organized advocacy group for boaters.
Boat/US is more than a towing service, it is the largest and best organized advocacy group for boaters.
Many years ago we had a steering failure, cable pulled out on a different boat than we have now. Anyway, long story short, with the high wind and without a means to steer through the crab traps we pulled out that BoatUS card and dialed them up. It would have been $1200+ for the tow back to our slip were it now for that ~$100 per year fee. Put that together with two tows when we had a 17' bow-rider before that that had a few engine problems causing us to request a tow and we are still way ahead.
I guess its just about risk mitigation. If you are 100% certain of your systems, then you have mitigated the risk in your favor but sometimes the defecation has an impaction upon the oscillation device.
I guess its just about risk mitigation. If you are 100% certain of your systems, then you have mitigated the risk in your favor but sometimes the defecation has an impaction upon the oscillation device.
I have been a member since 1991. I continue because of their advocacy for us with the government. One example is how they defeated the excise tax that was levied on us for a few years. I didn’t get unlimited towing until, on a delivery, we had to get a tow from 25 miles south of Apalachicola. I saw the bill for $2800 and decided to put that on the membership.
We used to insure with them for years, and after some bad treatment by their new owners, (the lizard company), we changed insurance.
We have used their towing insurance once and it was indeed very very welcome. So now we maintain the basic membership and the towing premium only.
We have used their towing insurance once and it was indeed very very welcome. So now we maintain the basic membership and the towing premium only.
It's like any insurance. Or a parachute. You don't really need it until you do.
I was thinking, I have Unlimited Gold, which provides for towing from a home dock or mooring to a repair facility. My boatyard charges for towing from my mooring to the haul-out facility every Fall. Do you think BoatUS would cover that?
Everything is peachy until Geico owes you money. Six harassing calls in one day trying to get me to settle? No thanks
Thanks to Hurricane Sally and our experience with the lizard, Membership - Yes, Insurance - HELL NO! I have used the on the water towing a few times and had no problems. But after the lizard totalled our boat, he wouldn't sell us liability insurance so we could rebuild it in the boatyard. We ended up with a local company at half the cost for more coverage.
There are two issues here. One being insurance and the second being with whom.
Assuming the first is a binary issue everyone can decide for themself, the question is whether boatus/ sea tow or private insurance is preferable and which is more cost effective.
i would suggest that anyone reading check with their boat underwriter directly to see what a tow insurance endorsement costs vs. the commercial tow company rates. It can often be cheaper, more expansive and not limited to any one specific tow company.
Assuming the first is a binary issue everyone can decide for themself, the question is whether boatus/ sea tow or private insurance is preferable and which is more cost effective.
i would suggest that anyone reading check with their boat underwriter directly to see what a tow insurance endorsement costs vs. the commercial tow company rates. It can often be cheaper, more expansive and not limited to any one specific tow company.
The unlimited towing I have is part of the Boat/US insurance I have. No questions asked even when I requested a tow for my dinghy.
I go through Boat US for the towing and insurance (through Geico). I've never had a claim on either to test it, but the rates have been reasonable. FWIW, the unlimited gold towing is cheaper as an add on to the insurance policy rather than purchasing it separately though Boat US. Either way, you need the boat US membership to get the insurances.
I just happen to have my renewal form with me - $1244 for my boat. Probably about half of what I pay for my house. The boat policy covers $5000 of emergency towing and assist with a premium of $85. I've only needed towing twice since I got the boat in 2008.
I pay about $200 more for the boat than the house.
Historically, I have paid around 1.5% of the Agreed Hull Value for boat insurance.
I have Progressive for insurance. On water towing coverage is only $50/year. I've used it twice and coast guard once when TowBoat US was too busy. Tow's don't affect premiums
I carry AAA towing for my old vehicle and TowBoatUS unlimited towing on my old boat. Both about $165 a year. Cheapest insurance you can buy. A simple ungrounding or tow back to the dock can easily cost you north of a $1000. Don't leave home or the dock without it.
