Towing charges

[abe]

Paul, I don't think Mark has to worry about...

the American Bar Association in Australia. People can still help neighbours without the risk of major liability if something goes wrong.abe

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

It's not the ABA or the lawers....

If you tow someone and there's an accident resulting in damage or injury, they will likely make a claim on their insurance (boat, medical or otherwise.) Then, it's likely that their ins. co. will come after you and your insurance co. You can either pay or hire a lawyer. YOU have the choice.Don't blame the lawyers, they are just hired guns to fight other folks' battles. If nobody hires them .....

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Johnny Come Lately

Bruce, sorry for the late response but I just got around to reading your post.I've had the BoatUS unlimited towing package for several years now, furtunately, never had to use it. The hundred bucks and change yearly is more than a fair price for the service, but you really need to read the fine print. The whole thing is based on BoatUS towing area, which is a 50 mile radius of a BoatUS tow service. If you are out of their area, which I am, and you need a tow, you still contact BoatUS and notify them, kind of like getting permission, then you are going to wind up using a tow service in your area. The policy only covers towing to a safe facility, so you might not get towed to a specific location. You will have to pay for the tow out of your pocket and then apply for re-embursment from BoatUS. So if your in a BoatUS coverage area, your in business, if not you had better have a charge card or money handy. In my opinion, it's still a good deal. All of these marine tow services will gouge your eyeballs out, but at least you can get your money back.

 

[jmcclain]

Hey Dan...

Dan,I still think that Unlimited towing insurance is simply a fruggle common sense decision regardless whether you can afford the towing fee. Unlike many forms of risk/exposure based insurance, unlimited towing from BoatUS and others is a flat rate fee based without regard to length or frequency of exposure. The average boat usage in the Galveston Bay area is something like 2+ days/month. In northern climates the "season" will be significantly shorter, they still pay the same annual rate. Risk exposure is based on this average usage. If, as we do, you frequently sail your boat as often as 7-8 times per month, the economics are even more attractive. Your auto insurance costs are based on your annual milage (risk exposure), but not towing coverage. Unlimited towing is bargain and the cost paid by the folks who seldom use their boats or use them a floating condos. The marinas in Houston are full of boats (sail and power) that seldom leave the dock.Jon McClain

 

[Dan McGuire]

Frugile??

If someone can show me where the insurers are giving out more money than they are taking for towing insurance, then I agree it is frugal.I can understand someone wanting towing insurance for a lot of different reasons. I just don't think they should try to deceive themselves into thinking that they are saving money.

 

[jmcclain]

Dan, Oh My!

Dan, I almost gave in to the temptation to respond in kind to your sarcastic answer, but civility got the better of me. Playing odds that are in your favor is always a fruggle, responsible decision. In this sailing environment, the odds are great that you will need tow in the near future. No, I don't have extended coverage on the washing machine. That is a bad decision. Its called risk management.Jon

 

[Bob Todd]

Hey Jon...

Where did you get your data on odds of needing a tow? It would appear to me that if things were as bad on the water as you allude to then tow insurance would be through the roof and boats would be grounding, crashing into one and another, and breaking down in wholesale lots!I sail in an extremely busy area and I don't think I've witnessed one tow per season.So let's see the numbers that are leading us to our doom.Oh, yeah...the word is frugal, and I didn't find Dan's answer a bit sarcastic.I'm just as frugal as the next sailor; I don't spend it if I don't have to. Risk management is my business and prefer to take the risk and pocket the cash.Cheers,Bob

 

[Tightwad]

What's another hundred bucks?

Hey,BoatUS gives you another contact 24/7 plus a discount at West Marine. I like having it and not thinking about it--sort of like the auto club. Let's hope one never needs to use the service but for another hundred bucks, I like having it......just my thoughts...........