Let's put this in perspective. Do you actually *plan* to go
to the Bahamas? The reason for the limitations on the policy
is that small, single engined boats traveling alone tend to
get into trouble. The insurance companies don't care about
*you*, they care about averages and trends. They're a little
edgy about boats stored in coastal marinas? Wonder why....I
understand your point; the robotic illogic would annoy me,
too. But the policy sounds ok otherwise.
At least BoatUS is solid and reliable. Going somewhere else
might be a crap shoot.
JR

NOYB wrote:

I just bought a 25' boat, called my insurance company (State Farm) to insure
it, and they told me they would not write a policy on a boat stored at a
marina in a "coastal area". Huh? The boat is stored on a rack in a covered
building. My other boat, a 17' center console, is stored on a trailer at an
inland storage facility...and the same State Farm agent had no problem
insuring that one.

Soooo....
I called the only other company (Boat US) for which I had the phone number
at that particular moment. They wanted to know where the boat was primarily
being used (Florida Gulf), but didn't ask where it was stored. I was happy
how easily the process went over the phone...until I got my "binder".

The cruising limits portion of the binder states: "U.S. Atlantic Coastal
Waters including Florida-Atlantic and Gulf coastal and inland waters
tributary thereto of the U.S. and Canada between St. John, New Brunswick and
Mobile, Alabama, inclusive."

So I called them and asked "how far out can I go? What is considered
*coastal* waters?"

The agent replied that I could go out as far as I'd like as long as I didn't
enter another country's terratorial waters.

"Could I go to the Bahamas?" I asked

She replied "No. You only have a single engine"

I asked "Could I get a 2nd engine and then go?"

She said "No. Your boat is under 26'."

I responded "A 43' Torres with a single engine wouldn't qualify?"

She said "Oh no...a 43' boat could go"

I asked "What about the second engine."

She responded "That's only for boats under 26'."

"But I thought you said boats under 26' couldn't go...even with two
engines!" I exclaimed (getting quite agitated now).

She responded "Look. The only way you can go to the Bahamas and still be
convered is if you travel in a flotilla."

I asked "How do you define a *flotilla*?"

"Several boats" she replied.

"Several...meaning me and another?" I asked.

"Nope. You and at least two other boats." she responded.

"What if the other boats are smaller than mine?" I asked

"They have to be longer than yours?"

"Do they qualify even if they all have only one engine? Just
kidding...please fax me a copy of your specific policy on travelling to
other contries' terratorial waters."

This conversation took place two hours ago...and I'm still waiting for the
fax.

Does anybody have any pros/cons/experience with Boat US
comprehensive/liability insurance? Does anybody recommend any other
specific company that might be better to deal with?

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"JR North" wrote in message
...
Let's put this in perspective. Do you actually *plan* to go
to the Bahamas?

Perhaps. Definitely not without adding a 15 hp kicker.


The reason for the limitations on the policy
is that small, single engined boats traveling alone tend to
get into trouble.

What kind of trouble? If it's engine trouble, then why don't they put the
same restrictions on single screw trawlers? If it's bad weather/rough seas,
then I'd bet my 25' Boston Whaler Outrage Cuddy would handle 'em better than
a 26' bow-rider or deck boat...but they would "qualify" according to Boat
US.




The insurance companies don't care about
*you*, they care about averages and trends.

Would I be less likely to file for a loss if my boat was 1 foot bigger?

They're a little
edgy about boats stored in coastal marinas? Wonder why....

It was State Farm that wouldn't write the policy based upon where I'm
storing it. Boat US didn't care where it was stored (unless, of course, I
took it to the Bahamas).


I understand your point; the robotic illogic would annoy me,
too. But the policy sounds ok otherwise.
At least BoatUS is solid and reliable. Going somewhere else
might be a crap shoot.

Agreed, but I'm still going to look.

Does anybody have experience with Progressive?

Have you considered contacting a local independent insurance agent in your
area? One whose practice involves a considerable expertise if not outright
specialty in marine insurance? One who knows which carriers write in your
particular marketplace and what their respective strengths and weaknesses
are? One who presumably could find a carrier to meet your specific needs at
the best rates? I wouldn't think that finding such a person in the state of
Florida would be all that difficult. In the past, when I've had toothaches,
I've had very poor results practicing self-dentistry in front of a mirror.
Without fail better results have been achieved after visiting someone with
DDS on a shingle outside his office. Just a thought.

I deal with an independent agent for my professional liability and business
fire/theft/liability insurance. I use a rep from Northwestern Mutual
Insurance to provide my business overhead, personal disability, and term
life policies. Honestly, I've always been with State Farm for auto, home,
and boats...and have never given any thought towards using an independent
agent. I figured that by just talking to other boaters I could choose the
right company and contact them myself. I'll definitely consider your advice
and see how an independent's policy compares to what I have right now with
Boat/US.




"RG" wrote in message
news:wdDib.23935$Rd4.19587@fed1read07...
Have you considered contacting a local independent insurance agent in your
area? One whose practice involves a considerable expertise if not
outright
specialty in marine insurance? One who knows which carriers write in your
particular marketplace and what their respective strengths and weaknesses
are? One who presumably could find a carrier to meet your specific needs
at
the best rates? I wouldn't think that finding such a person in the state
of
Florida would be all that difficult. In the past, when I've had
toothaches,
I've had very poor results practicing self-dentistry in front of a mirror.
Without fail better results have been achieved after visiting someone with
DDS on a shingle outside his office. Just a thought.